DILI, 12 october 2022 (TATOLI) – The Government approved the ratification of Timor-Leste’s accession agreement on Port State Measure, where foreign vessels must comply as a condition of entry and use of the ports within that State.
The agreement aims to eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing through the implementation of efficient port state measures.
The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidélis Magalhães, said that the application of the measures is intended to ensure, in the long term, the conservation and sustainable exploitation of living marine resources and ecosystems.
He stressed that the Maritime Authority, the Maritime Police, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP) are working together to control fishing areas.
Indonesia and Australia will cooperate with Timor-Leste to monitor the movements of fishing vessels.
The PSMA is the first binding international agreement to specifically target illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing with the purpose to prevent deter and eliminating IUU fishing by preventing vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches.
In this way, the PSMA reduces the incentive for such vessels to continue to operate while it also blocks fishery products derived from IUU fishing from reaching national and international markets.
The effective implementation of the PSMA ultimately contributes to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
