China Joins Agreement on Port State Measures to Combat Illegal Fishing

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in China recently announced that the country has joined the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA), marking an important step in its fight against illegal fishing and its role in the governance of global fisheries. Following extensive preparation, the State Council ratified the agreement in January, and China became an official party to the accord on March 17 after depositing its instrument of accession with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

According to Liu Xinzhong, the director of the ministry’s bureau of fisheries, this milestone reflects China's dedication to fulfilling its responsibilities as a port state and its determination to address illegal fishing decisively. The PSMA, which became effective in 2016, is the first legally binding international agreement aimed specifically at preventing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, with 80 nations and the European Union having already joined.

As a signatory of the PSMA, China will implement the agreement's standards for all vessels entering its ports, including banning foreign-flagged ships involved in illegal fishing. Liu also noted that as a flag state, China will ensure that its own vessels comply with the agreement when they dock in other nations’ ports. Additionally, the country is revising its fisheries law to align with the PSMA’s provisions, enhancing its legislative framework to support enforcement efforts.

China has already established over 20 bilateral fishing cooperation agreements and is involved with eight regional fisheries management organizations, actively participating in both multilateral and regional governance under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. As of 2024, the nation has 167 registered distant-water fishing enterprises and a fleet of over 2,740 vessels, collectively yielding approximately 2.19 million tons of fish annually—a figure expected to stabilize in the upcoming years.

Furthermore, to promote conservation and sustainable practices, China has imposed voluntary fishing bans on the high seas, which have yielded positive outcomes. Liu Zhongsong, who heads the fishery law enforcement center, indicated that China remains committed to upholding the rights of foreign fishing vessels by ensuring safe and professional oversight of inspections. Luo Yi, from Shanghai Ocean University, mentioned plans for China to release a list of designated ports, which will facilitate communication with the FAO and clarify future port entry regulations and vessel oversight.