White Paper Ending Illegal Fishing: Data Policy and the Port State Measures Agreement

The report argues that while the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) is the most comprehensive tool to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, its success depends on transitioning from analogue to near real-time digital data exchange. Using case studies from the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), the paper outlines a framework for implementation based on cross-jurisdictional cooperation, the creation of integrated digital data platforms, and the resolution of data policy questions regarding commercial sensitivity and security.

• Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing causes significant economic losses, estimated between $10 billion and $23.5 billion annually, and is linked to human rights abuses, including forced labour, which accounted for 53% of forced labour in the Asia-Pacific region.
• The Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA) is the first legally binding global instrument targeting IUU fishing; as of May 2019, it has been joined by 86 states and the European Union.
• A significant gap exists between the ratification of the PSMA and its actual implementation due to barriers such as the lack of digital data architecture, resistance to sharing sensitive commercial data, and insufficient financial resources in developing countries.
• The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) successfully implemented PSMA requirements by aligning existing controls with the agreement and deploying an electronic Port State Measure system (e-PSM) for real-time data sharing and regional training.
• The North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) has effectively eliminated IUU fishing in its region by requiring vessels to submit a Notification of Entry 24 to 72 hours before arrival and implementing a mandatory digital flag state verification process.
• Successful PSMA implementation requires a three-pronged approach: cross-jurisdictional cooperation via regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) and national action plans; the development of digital platforms that map PSMA requirements onto existing port protocols; and the establishment of clear data policies to manage commercially sensitive information.

APA

World Economic Forum (2019). White Paper Ending Illegal Fishing: Data Policy and the Port State Measures Agreement. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Ending_Illegal_Fishing_Report_2019.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. White Paper Ending Illegal Fishing: Data Policy and the Port State Measures Agreement. 2019. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Ending_Illegal_Fishing_Report_2019.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=White Paper Ending Illegal Fishing: Data Policy and the Port State Measures Agreement |date=May 2019 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Ending_Illegal_Fishing_Report_2019.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2019white, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{White Paper Ending Illegal Fishing: Data Policy and the Port State Measures Agreement}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2019}, month = may, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Ending_Illegal_Fishing_Report_2019.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }