Motion 033

Numerous UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) agreements and measures address IUU fishing. FAO’s Compliance Agreement and its Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries respond to the mandate of UNCLOS. The FAO also facilitated the creation of the first international binding agreement to target IUU fishing, the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA). IUU fishing threatens the global economy by placing a strain on natural resources necessary to provide global food security. Effectively addressing IUU fishing requires more than merely enforcing regulations pertaining to flags of convenience. Port measures are necessary because they help combat IUU fishing by restricting access of vessels with illicit catch to ports. IUCN resolutions, such as Resolution 7.107 and Resolution 124, focus on reducing the impact of fisheries on marine biodiversity. These past resolutions signify the IUCN is aware that adequate fisheries management is needed. In order to sufficiently combat IUU fishing, the IUCN has the ability to call on other organizations for help. While the PSMA is binding and other agreements and IUCN resolutions mention IUU fishing, the IUCN has the opportunity to complement the PSMA with a resolution/recommendation of its own. This motion is practical, because it features diverse measures that can be implemented in a variety of ways and potentially yield impactful results. This motion introduces measures that are likely to bring attention to the issues discussed. Such measures include encouraging parties to the PSMA to prioritize establishing effective response mechanisms for flag states that are made aware that vessels operating under their flag are engaged in IUU fishing. Implementing this motion will require the participation of diverse stakeholders who can raise awareness about the issues, encourage their governments to implement the suggested measures and ensure that the measures are enforced. Stakeholders include the media, representatives of the affected industries and local communities. Pace Law’s Global Center for Environmental Studies (GCELS) and co-sponsors of the motion can also be instrumental in raising awareness as to the importance of port state measures and encouraging member states to prioritize the implementation of these measures.