The Senate of Cambodia has passed an amendment to the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) ‘Marrakesh Agreement’ on global fisheries protection following the fourth extraordinary session of the Senate recently, where the legislative body passed the motion for amendment of the agreement with a unanimous vote of 57 in favour.
The amendment includes an additional ‘Fisheries Subsidy Agreement’ to ensure the sustainability of marine resources and fisheries through financial assistance from the organization, and other necessary support.
The recent inclusion of the subsidy agreement within the broader legislation means Cambodia is eligible to receive technical assistance and funding to strengthen the national capacity to manage and conserve marine fisheries resources, said a release from the Senate.
The Senate approval for the amended agreement follows the approval of the Council of Ministers on February 2 during the plenary session of the Council of Ministers chaired by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The WTO’s Marrakesh Agreement was first established in 1994, said Im Rachna, Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
“After more than 20 years of consultation, the agreement on fisheries subsidies was approved by the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO on June 17, 2022, in Switzerland, with an amendment to the existing Marrakesh Agreement to include the subsidies agreement,” she said.
Following the approval in Switzerland, the organization urged member states to complete the ratification process and amend the agreement in their own jurisdictions, she said.
The protocols of the Marrakesh Agreement require member states to stop any activities that will damage global fishery stocks.
In particular, the terms of the agreement seek to prevent harmful sea fishing, which is cited as a major factor in the reduction of global marine fisheries stocks.
The Marrakesh Agreement currently has 123 national member states as signatories, including Cambodia.
As noted by the Senate’s press release, the agreement demonstrates Cambodia’s willingness to cooperate with the international community to eliminate unreported or unregulated fishing and prevent overfishing and does so in accordance with the Kingdom’s marine fisheries management policy.
“It strengthens the conservation, protection and sustainable management of marine resources,” stated the Senate.
Importantly, the amendment also supports Cambodia’s ability to respond to the ‘UN Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 14.6’.
In other words, the country is eligible to receive technical assistance and funding to strengthen its capacity to manage and conserve marine fisheries resources, explained the Senate.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and European Union (EU) are also playing an active role in protecting Cambodia’s maritime resources under the FAO Complementary Support to the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector (CAPFISH-Capture) initiative.
Among other goals, the initiative seeks to strengthen fisheries management frameworks across Cambodia to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in both inland and marine domains, and in doing so support the fulfilment of the protocols of the Marrakesh agreement.
During the same March 12 extraordinary session, the Senate also passed another legislative improvement to manage Cambodia’s maritime industry, namely the new law on waterway transport.
The motion to approve the law likewise passed with a unanimous vote of 57.
The National Assembly already ratified the draft law on waterway transport with a majority vote of 97 members on March 1, following the Council of Ministers’ approval on February 2.
The law on water transport seeks to support the development of the waterborne logistics sector, by ensuring transparency, safety and security across all maritime industry elements. The comprehensive law also seeks to ensure the preservation of the environment alongside any infrastructure development related to maritime transport.
The Senate’s press release this week said the law will regulate the management of ships, crews, ports and other waterway infrastructure.
The Senate said the legislation would also create employment opportunities for Cambodian sailors to work on foreign vessels.
The law should bolster more investment in the water transport sector generally, such as through shipping companies, navigation services, maintenance services and crew training facilities, noted the release.