The Food and Agriculture Organization Wednesday urged governments to implement a landmark treaty against illegal fishing, saying rapid action was needed to ensure that its implementation was effective. FAO director general José Graziano da Silva described the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing—which went into force last June 5—as “the first-ever binding international accord that focuses specifically on illicit fishing.” The Philippines, despite the previous administration’s strong stance against illegal fishing, is not among those that have so far acceded to the treaty.

Domingo, R. W. (2016, July 14). Support for anti-illegal fishing pact sought. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. B2-1.