December 2022 — Per Erik Bergh (Managing Director), Sandy Davies (Technical Director) and Andréa Durighello (Fisheries Expert) facilitated an FAO workshop on the resumed formulation of a national strategy and action plan to gradually implement the 2009 FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (PSMA), complementary international instruments and regional mechanisms to combat IUU fishing.
The workshop was held in Antananarivo, Madagascar on 5 – 7 December 2022. Over 40 particpatns from agencies playing a potential a role in addressing IUU fishing in Madagascar participated in the meeting. Geographical representativeness, too, was considered through the representation of the main ports in Madagascar: Nosy Be, Toliara, Diego, Fort-Dauphin, Mananjary, Morondava, Toamasina and Mahajanga.
This meeting was marked by the presence of Honourable Dr. Paubert T. Mahatante, Minister of Fisheries and the Blue Economy, who emphasised the commitment of Madagascar to advance the fight against IUU fishing. The FAO was also represented on a high-level by H.E. Dr Mbuli Charles Boliko, FAO Representative in Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles and Mauritius, reiterating the support of its institution to Madagascar in ensuring the sustainability of the country’s fisheries.
After the update of the strategy, the next step will be to establish an interagency cooperation mechanism. This will be the goal of the next technical workshop that will take place in 2023 in Madagascar, facilitated by SIF under the German-funded Port State Support Project, which will last until 2026.
