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FAO workshop provides launch for Stop Illegal Fishing support to PSMA implementation in Ghana

Ghana’s National Strategy and Action Plan for the implementation of the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (the PSMA) was the subject of a workshop facilitated by FAO and supported by Stop Illegal Fishing which took place in Accra from 4 to 8 June 2018.

The workshop brought together representatives of all relevant departments and agencies to identify gaps and constraints for the effective implementation of the PSMA. The consultative process addressed these issues from the policy and legal, institutional and organizational, and operational perspectives. National level interagency cooperation is an essential element of implementing the PSMA and will result in more prosecutions of illegal operators both for fisheries violations and other illegalities or crimes in the sector.

Based on the National Strategy and Action Plan, priority areas will be identified within a work plan. Many areas will be implemented nationally while others will require technical assistance that will be supported under the FAO Global Capacity Development Programme, in coordination with a capacity building project from Stop Illegal Fishing financed by the GIZ and commissioned by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Sandy Davies, Stop Illegal Fishing, speaking at the end of the meeting said, “It has been a great pleasure to participate in this workshop. The PSMA offers a real opportunity to put an end to the illegal fishing that proves to be so damaging to the environment and economies of Africa. We look forward to working closely with the authorities in Ghana to ensure that their ports, and their ocean are protected by the development of effective procedures, systems and tools.”