NOAA in Peru: Strengthening Maritime Security and Combating IUU Fishing through International Collaboration

Dynamic Training Workshop in Peru

NOAA partners with Peru's Ministry of Production and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to enhance maritime security and combat illegal fishing. We held a training in May 2024 in Lima, Peru for Peruvian fisheries inspectors. The training covered the operational implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement, including effective inspection techniques, documentation preparation, and real-world scenarios. These trainings are part of NOAA's and USAID's work to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Bringing together diverse stakeholders, these workshops are effective tools to advance the implementation of The Agreement. They set a strong foundation for continued international collaboration in combating IUU fishing globally.

Enhancing Inspection Effectiveness: A Hands-On Approach

From detailed classroom instructions to real-world inspection scenarios aboard a vessel in the Port of Callao, workshop attendees received robust training focused on improving inspection effectiveness. Workshop participants included representatives from Peru's Ministry of Production, the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coast Guard, the Port Authority, and other key Peruvian agencies. The training also featured a visit to the Maritime Information Fusion Center, which included facilitated discussions on inspection protocols and best practices. This exchange of experiences and challenges underscores the importance of international collaboration in achieving effective maritime security.

Training attendees shared enthusiasm and expected long-term benefits from the skills gained during the training. "This training has been incredibly valuable, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience that will help us to combat IUU fishing. I look forward to sharing these insights with my colleagues," noted one attendee. Another participant shared that "Collaborating with other countries enhances our oversight capabilities. By integrating diverse approaches, we can achieve more effective maritime security." Notably, attendees demonstrated significant improvement in their performance on the operational implementation of the Agreement. Scores increased by an average of 20 percent from pre-training to post-training examination.

These workshops aim to address challenges associated with IUU fishing by enhancing the capacity of maritime professionals in priority regions. Trainings like these are a crucial step towards reducing IUU fishing, supporting sustainable fisheries management and strengthening maritime security in the region.

IUU fishing is a global issue that undermines efforts to manage and conserve fish stocks, threatens marine ecosystems, endangers natural resources critical to global food security, and impacts the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The Port State Measures Agreementis an international treaty designed to combat IUU fishing by preventing illegally caught fish from entering the market through stringent port inspection protocols. It helps to close loopholes in fisheries management by elevating port state control, increasing information sharing, accountability, and support towards enforcing sustainable fishing practices worldwide.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.