The Republic of Moldova will accede to the Agreement on Port State Measures aimed at preventing, deterring, and eliminating illegal fishing. The Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy will propose the Agreement’s ratification to the full Parliament, TRIBUNA reports.

Accession will allow the Republic of Moldova to contribute to strengthening the global traceability chain for fishery products and to prevent the placing on the market of products originating from illegal fishing. Although Moldova is not a coastal state, it is indirectly involved in international trade in fishery products through the import of significant quantities consumed on the domestic market.

As a candidate country for accession to the European Union, Moldova has committed to participating in efforts to combat illegal fishing, which requires the prompt implementation of the measures established by the Agreement. This will also help prevent potential trade sanctions on fishery products exported from Moldova to the EU market.

The purpose of the Agreement is to prevent the use of ports for landing, transshipment, or marketing of products derived from illegal fishing, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological resources. The document establishes a uniform international framework for applying strict port‑control measures.

The Agreement was concluded in Rome in 2009 and entered into force in 2016. It is open to both coastal states and landlocked states. Currently, more than 70 states and regional fisheries management organizations are parties to the Agreement.