March 11, 2014 — The following was released by The Pew Charitable Trusts:
With the world’s oceans losing up to $23.5 billion worth of fish to illegal fishing every year, the U.S. Senate on March 11 took a critical step to cut off market access for unlawfully caught fish and to drastically lower the potential profits.
The Foreign Relations Committee approved four fisheries agreements, including the Port State Measures Agreement, or PSMA, which would strengthen inspections and controls in ports worldwide. Nations that ratify the agreement pledge to inspect foreign vessels suspected of illegal fishing and to deny port access and services when there is clear evidence of fisheries crimes. In July 2013, the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously passed the PSMA’s implementing legislation, the Pirate Fishing Elimination Act, and now the agreement and implementing legislation are ready for final approval by the full Senate.
“We thank the Senate Foreign Relations Committee members for their leadership in recognizing the threat illegal fishing poses to U.S. economic, environmental, and national security interests,” said Tony Long, who leads The Pew Charitable Trusts’ efforts to end illegal fishing. “We now urge senators to immediately ratify the Port State Measures Agreement and pass the implementing legislation to help end illegal fishing and maintain the United States’ leading role as a responsible steward of our oceans.”
The agreements enjoy bipartisan support. At a Foreign Relations Committee hearing Feb. 12, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) noted that since 2000, Alaskan crabbers have lost an estimated $560 million in catch to illegal crabbing, mostly by Russian vessels. She said U.S. ratification of the PSMA would “enhance the effectiveness of U.S. authority to deter [illegal] activities.”
Read the full press release at The Pew Charitable Trusts