The Solicitor General’s Office has proposed that Fiji should endorse and accede to the Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated Fishing.

While presenting their submission to the Parliamentary Social Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Principal Legal Officer Timaima Vakadewabuka says endorsing the agreement is vital for the Fisheries sector as well.

Vakadewabuka says IUU fishing is a major issue in Fiji and the pacific and consenting to the Ports State Measures Agreement will assist in curbing the issue.

“Once we improve our efforts on Ports State Measures IUU fishing will be combated, IUU fishing in Fiji and the region is quite a huge issue and there is a lot of drain economically.”

Vakadewabuka says it will not be difficult for Fiji to implement the requirements on the agreement, given the high standards set by our various fisheries laws.

With a lot of reports of IUU fishing in Fiji and the Pacific, Vakadewabuka says a reduction in this illegal activity will have a widespread impact on developing countries who are dependent on fishing as their livelihood.