The first global treaty on the issue which 29 countries, including Myanmar, have committed to went into effect on June 5. The Port State Measures Agreement could have far-reaching effects around the region. All countries involved in the pact are required to implement measures for detecting and stopping illegal catches. Foreign fishing vessels wanting to enter port will need to request permission in advance while detailed information is gathered on their identities, activities and the fish they have on board. Landings can only occur at specially designated ports equipped for effective inspections. The new controls are especially relevant for Myanmar, as the number of fish in its seas has plummeted in recent decades. Research data released in February by the Norwegian government and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed that fish stocks in some Myanmar marine zones had declined by up to 80 percent during the past 30 to 40 years. Experts have said illegal fishing is partly to blame for this drop with reports of crude methods like cyanide poisoning being used in Myanmar waters. FAO director general Jose Graziano da Silva called the new treaty the dawn of a new era in the effort to combat illegal fishing. By denying unscrupulous fishers safe haven and access to markets, [the treaty] will drive the seafood industry toward greater sustainability and have significant ripple effects throughout the entire fisheries supply chain. Let no port be known and targeted by [illegal] fishing operators as a shelter for non-compliance, he said. Each year illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is responsible for annual catches of up to 26 million tonnes, with a value of up to US$23 billion. The World Wildlife Fund welcomed the June 5 event as a huge step to curb this trend. It claims the treaty will play a vital role in reducing the number of ports where illegal products can be unloaded. Illegally caught seafood endangers marine ecosystems, hurts law-abiding fishermen, and penalises governments, retailers and consumers who play by the rules, said WWF spokesperson Michele Kuruc. By implementing [the treaty], governments are sending criminals a warning that they are not welcome. Other countries in the region that have agreed to the treaty include Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Australia. However, big players Japan and China remain notably absent.
2016 The Myanmar Times