Fiji has accepted the agreement on Port State Measures that will help prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

This was highlighted by Member of Parliament Howard Politini in Parliament yesterday.

Politini says this agreement will reduce the availability of ports with weak controls making it difficult and less economic for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

“Measures to combat illegal, unreported and un-regulated fishing should be one of the primary responsibility of flag states and use all available jurisdictions in accordance with the international law including port states measures.”

He says reduction in IUU fishing will have an environmental, economic and social benefits, including local fishermen.

Meanwhile the Port State Measures is the first binding international agreement and its provisions apply to fishing vessels seeking entry into a designated port of a State.