Amfah

The Cape Town Agreement on the Implementation of the Provisions of the Torremolinos Protocol of 1993 relating to the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977 (CTA) is an important international legal instrument aimed at combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the high seas.

IUU fishing is a major global problem that poses a serious threat to the sustainability of marine resources and the livelihoods of people who depend on them. It is estimated that IUU fishing accounts for up to 26 million tonnes of fish annually, which is about 15% of the global catch.

The CTA, which was adopted in 2012 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), seeks to improve the safety and working conditions of fishermen, as well as the effectiveness of flag, port and coastal states in combating IUU fishing activities. It requires parties to the agreement to implement a range of measures, including:

– Ensuring that fishing vessels are designed, built, equipped, and maintained to international safety standards;

– Requiring that fishing vessel owners and operators obtain a unique vessel identification number;

– Implementing a system of monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) to track fishing vessels and their activities in real-time;

– Strengthening port state measures to deny entry or access to ports to fishing vessels engaged in IUU fishing activities; and

– Enhancing international cooperation to combat IUU fishing, such as through sharing data and information on IUU fishing activities.

The CTA is a significant step towards addressing the problem of IUU fishing and ensuring sustainable fisheries in the high seas. However, the agreement has not yet entered into force, as it requires the ratification of 22 states representing 3,600 fishing vessels of 24 meters in length and over, or 50% of the world`s fishing vessels of this size (whichever occurs first). Currently, only 14 states have ratified the agreement.

It is important for more states to ratify the CTA and for the parties to effectively implement its provisions. This will not only help to combat IUU fishing but also promote the sustainable use of marine resources and protect the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them. As individuals, we can also play a role in supporting sustainable fisheries by choosing to consume sustainably sourced seafood and advocating for stronger regulations and enforcement measures to combat IUU fishing.