Treaty agreement casts tough net over illegal Pacific Ocean fishing

PHOTO: AFMA
PHOTO: AFMA – The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency secretariat held an in-country workshop to assist Australia progress ratification of the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement

The Pacific’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing has been further strengthened with Australia’s ratification of the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement (NTSA).

The treaty establishes a legal framework for conducting a broad range of cooperative fisheries surveillance and law enforcement activities, including sea patrols, aerial surveillance, port inspections and investigations.

“Prospective losses from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing are estimated to cost Pacific Island nations US$153 million each year—this treaty is aimed at putting a big dent in these losses,” commented Australia’s Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston.

Australia played an instrumental role in drafting the NTSA and signed the NTSA on July 2, 2014. The NTSA entered into force on July 31, 2014 and Australia will become the 10th party to the NTSA.


Baird Maritime

The best maritime site on the web. The sea's our scene!