An international agreement against illegal fishing may come into force soon, backed by at least 25 countries, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The initiative was recently ratified by Cuba through its ambassador to UN bodies, Alba Soto.
Now, one more country is needed to join for the coming into force of the “Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing ”
In the opinion of Director General of FAO, Jose Graziano da Silva, the step taken by Cuba “is an example that will be followed by many other countries in the Caribbean region.”
The Cuban Government wants to contribute effectively to the measures for the protection and sustainability of the ecosystems and the conservation of marine biodiversity, stated Soto.
The binding agreement will come into force when it is ratified before Da Silva by 25 countries or regional economic blocs.
For the time being it has been ratified by 23 states and the European Union on behalf of its members, says the FAO report.
Countries who joined the Agreement recently include Barbados, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and the United States, added the source.
De Silva reiterated his confidence that the goal of 25 countries will be achieved by July this year as an important contribution to global economy and natural resources.
FAO considers illegal fishing when it involves practices like operating without authorization, catching protected species, using banned nets and violating quota limits.
According to the United Nations, those activities represent up to 26 million tons a year, or more than 15 percnet of the total annual production/catch worldwide.
Besides, “they could endanger local biodiversity and food security in many countries,” warns FAO.