A group of 91 countries reached an agreement Tuesday on a U.N.-backed treaty that aims to leave those engaged in illegal fishing without a safe haven.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which brokered the talks, said the treaty will make it harder for illicit catches to be brought ashore and sold on the market.
This should reduce the incentive for activities such as fishing without a license, using banned gear, disregarding fishing seasons and making catches that are illegal or undersized. Such behavior can threaten endangered species and damage the legitimate fisheries industry.