Ensuring the health of our oceans is critical in the fight against climate change, protecting the global economy, and reducing food insecurity. The worldwide export value of fish from developing countries is
greater than rice, sugar, and coffee combined. However, Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is damaging important fisheries and critical marine habitats. IUU fishing accounts for more than
20% of all catch in Latin America and generates up to $36 billion per year in illegal profits globally. This interagency partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) targets IUU fishing to promote sustainable management of marine species and ecosystems.
The Partnership for Sustainably Managed Fisheries is a joint interagency agreement between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the United State Agency for International Development (USAID).
HOW DOES THE ACTIVITY WORK?
The Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) is a binding international agreement which prevents vessels engaged in IUU fishing from using ports and landing their catches. This interagency partnership is
building the capacity of authorized fisheries and enforcement agencies in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia to implement the operational requirements under the PSMA by training officials to better conduct thorough fisheries inspections of foreign-flagged fishing and fishing-support vessels. The partnership is also working to enhance data collection and information sharing within governments and other important actors across the region to help them develop and enforce fisheries management regulations and improve their management of environmentally and economically important species and/or areas. NOAA will build the capacity of fisheries management agencies in each country to develop and implement fisheries management plans and relevant regulations focusing on approaches such as the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management.
RESULTS ACHIEVED
- NOAA and USAID trained 134 people from 10 ministries in sustainable natural resources management via workshops in Ecuador and Peru focused on the implementation of an international fisheries agreement, the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
- NOAA and USAID coordinated with ministries, NGOs, the private sector in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to strengthen regional coordination to combat IUUF and improve management of important biodiverse ecosystems in the South America region.
- Information was gathered on the operational implementation of port measures in each country to consider better regional integration and effectiveness.
