New guideline aims to combat illegal fishing and strengthen port oversight

China has implemented a new guideline to combat illegal fishing and strengthen port inspections of foreign fishing vessels, aiming to fulfill its obligations as a responsible nation engaged in the fishing industry and enhance global fisheries governance, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

The guideline — jointly released by the ministry and five other departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and the General Administration of Customs — calls for stricter port state controls in line with international rules.

It urges authorities nationwide to strengthen monitoring of foreign fishing vessels entering Chinese ports, as the country is committed to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing — a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization treaty regarded as the most important global instrument against illegal fishing. China formally joined the agreement in April.