As of Saturday, July 20th, Canada has become part of the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) under the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization.
The agreement aims to eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through the adoption and implementation of effective port State measures.
This is being done as a means of ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
It will apply to vessels seeking entry to ports other than their own or while they are in port.
According to the organization, one in every five fish caught around the world every year is thought to originate from illegal fishing, valued at $10 to $23 billion dollars annually.
They say implementing the PSMA is one of the most cost-effective means to curb illegal fishing.
It entered into force in June 2016. By the first year and a half, more than a third of countries were involved.
