" Towards the effective implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing."
June 23–24, 2025, Rabat (Morocco)
Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to pose a major threat to the sustainability of marine resources. To address this issue effectively, the international community, under the auspices of the FAO, adopted the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) in 2005. This agreement, which entered into force in June 2016, aims to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing, particularly by preventing vessels involved in such activities from using ports to land their catches.
The PSMA is the first binding international agreement of its kind, with the main objective of closing port access to vessels engaged in illegal fishing.
Within COMHAFAT, the importance of this agreement was reaffirmed during the 11th Ministerial Session held in Abidjan in April 2025, where ministers expressed their strong commitment to ensuring its effective implementation in member states.
This initiative coincides with the annual celebration, on June 5, of the International Day for the Fight Against IUU Fishing, proclaimed by the United Nations.
In this context, COMHAFAT organized a workshop on 23–24 June 2025 in Rabat (Morocco) entitled:
“Towards the Effective Implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing.”
The objectives of the workshop were to:
• Raise awareness and improve understanding of the PSMA,
• Review progress made,
• Share experiences and best practices,
• Identify current challenges,
• Propose concrete actions to strengthen the implementation of the agreement, particularly within the COMHAFAT region.
The event brought together experts from international organizations, including:
• FAO-PASMA Secretariat,
• African Union (AU-IBAR),
• European Union (European Fisheries Control Agency),
• Regional fisheries organizations,
• Representatives of COMHAFAT member states,
• Professional fishing operators,
• African communication networks,
• And other experts.
