Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova
This is the first legally binding international treaty dedicated to combating illegal fishing through strengthened port controls. It was adopted by the FAO Conference in 2009 and entered into force for many countries on June 5, 2016. The PSMA was created specifically to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at the international level.
The PSMA establishes common standards for port state control. Foreign-flagged vessels suspected of transporting illegally caught fish or engaging in related activities may be denied access to port. They may also be subject to inspection, and their catch may be prohibited from being unloaded, delivered, or sold. By closing ports to illegal operators, the agreement blocks the access routes on which IUU fishing depends.
Since 2018, June 5 has been observed worldwide as the International Day Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, which helps raise awareness about sustainable fishing.
What this means for Moldova
For the Republic of Moldova, accession means adopting these common international rules and joining a global network through which states exchange information on vessels suspected of illegal fishing and related activities. Alongside national measures and controls, accession connects the country to a coordinated system that makes it harder for illegally caught fish to reach the market. It also promotes fair and transparent trade and protects consumer rights, according to the MAIA statement.
“Illegal fishing is a problem that no country can solve on its own, and every new member state strengthens the international system,” said Raimund Jehle, FAO Representative in the Republic of Moldova. “By joining this agreement, the Republic of Moldova is contributing to global efforts to prevent illegally caught fish from entering the market and to protect shared aquatic resources for future generations. FAO is proud to support the Republic of Moldova in this endeavor.”
The agreement will be implemented through existing national mechanisms. The National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA) will be responsible for fulfilling the country’s obligations under the agreement and for exchanging information with foreign authorities.
“Joining this agreement reflects our commitment to responsible and transparent trade and the protection of consumer rights in the Republic of Moldova,” said Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Liudmila Catlabuga. “This is another step toward aligning our standards with those of the European Union and strengthening our partners’ confidence in the national food safety control system.”
With this accession, the Republic of Moldova now joins the 86 member states of the PSMA agreement—a group that includes the European Union and all its member states.
