The first national capacity-building event on the implementation of the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) was held in Shanghai from July 15 to 17.
The event aimed at promoting effective and efficient implementation of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (referred to in short as the Port State Measures Agreement, or PSMA) and enhancing China’s regulatory and law enforcement capabilities as a port state in combating illegal fishing.
The event gathered key personnel from fisheries administration, maritime affairs, customs, and immigration authorities across 11 coastal provincial-level regions. It was also attended by Manuel Barange, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Director of its Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, as well as senior officials from the Bureau of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA).
Since acceding to the PSMA, China has actively advanced its domestic implementation. An inter-agency coordination mechanism was established with the participation of relevant departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the General Administration of Customs, and the National Immigration Administration. The mechanism has provided guidance for initial local port inspections, supported China’s engagement in PSMA meetings of the Parties, and facilitated the coordinated inspection of foreign fishing vessels, yielding positive results.
The event featured thematic sessions on a wide range of topics, including the status and outlook of global fisheries governance, the international legal framework addressing IUU fishing, key provisions of the PSMA, management of distant-water fishing operation and relevant regulation, practical approaches to vessel inspection, and English for inspection purposes. Professionals who had participated in international PSMA training programs were also invited to share insights on key issues related to port state inspections.
As part of the event, attendees carried out a simulated port state inspection at Hengsha Fishing Port in Shanghai, gaining hands-on experience with standardized procedures and operational protocols. The simulation was designed to strengthen attendees’ capacity in foreign vessel inspection and related law enforcement activities.
No.11 Nongzhanguan Nanli,Chaoyang District,Beijing China (100125)
