China has joined the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) giving efforts to make fisheries sustainable a major boost.
The PSMA is the first legally binding international accord specifically targeting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
It requires signatory states to inspect foreign fishing vessels, verify where they are registered, and deny entry to those suspected of illegal activity. Effectively this turns ports into checkpoints for preventing illicit seafood from reaching global markets. (See: The treaty that aims to end illegal fishing, explained.)
On 16 April, China became the 82nd party to the PSMA, which the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had brought into force in 2016.
IUU fishing is estimated to cost the global economy between USD 26 billion and USD 50 billion annually. It is also a major driver of overfishing and marine biodiversity loss, and poses significant threats to food security and coastal livelihoods. This is particularly true in developing countries, where illegal fishing often intersects with labour abuses and human trafficking.
“China’s accession to the PSMA is a milestone in the global effort towards responsible governance and sustainable development of fisheries,” said FAO director-general Qu Dongyu. “This step reflects the growing strong commitment of all the states that preceded and those who will follow China in joining hands to combat IUU fishing through the PSMA framework.”
As the world’s largest producer and consumer of seafood, China plays a critical role in the international fisheries supply chain. The move to join the PSMA follows much work since 2020 including interagency research, on-the-ground studies, and global dialogue, according to China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). Officials described the decision as “a milestone moment” and “a major step forward in China’s contribution to global ocean governance and the protection of marine resources”.
China is pushing domestic fisheries reform in tandem with its PSMA accession. In October 2024, the State Council approved a draft amendment to the Fisheries Law, introducing new legal conditions for foreign-flagged fishing vessels entering Chinese ports. MARA is now working with the National People’s Congress to finalise and implement the revised law. (See: Understanding China’s huge fisheries law overhaul.)
In addition to introducing regulations for foreign vessels entering Chinese ports, China’s fishing vessels can now be inspected when they enter foreign ports for landing, unloading, or trade, if those countries are also signatories to the agreement. “We also have a responsibility to train and educate our crews to comply with the agreement’s provisions and undergo relevant inspections,” a MARA spokesperson said.