President Seeks Senate Approval of UN Illegal Fishing Agreement
President Obama has submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent the November 2009 United Nations Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, under the auspices of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). If approved by a two-thirds vote in the Senate, the agreement will be able to be ratified by the President.
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(According to FAO, the agreement will enter into force 30 days after the 25th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession is deposited, and it appears that only four countries have submitted these instruments so far.)
Establishes Global, Legally Binding Standards to Control Fishing Vessel Port Access
According to the President, the Agreement will establish, for the first time at the global level, legally binding minimum standards for "port states" to control port access by foreign fishing vessels, as well as by foreign transport and supply ships that support fishing vessels. The Agreement will also encourage Parties to apply similar measures to their own vessels.
Prevents Entry of Fish from Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fisheries
The Agreement also contains provisions to prevent fish from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fisheries from entering the stream of commerce. If widely ratified and properly implemented, the President believes the Agreement would serve as a valuable tool in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing worldwide.
President Seeking Consent, Will Send Implementing Legislation Separately
The legislation necessary to implement the Agreement will be submitted separately to the Congress. The President recommends that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to this Agreement and give its advice and consent by the required two-thirds vote, so it will be ready for his ratification.
(See ITT’s Online Archives 11011214 for summary of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS’) January 2011 final rule which implements identification and certification procedures to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities and bycatch of protected living marine resources (PLMRs).
See ITT’s Online Archives 11011821 for summary of NMFS identifying six nations for IUU fishing that may face fish import restrictions.)
Agreement information available here.