A quantitative data analysis in relation to size, scope and behavioural patterns for the implementation of a port state control regime of the global industrial fishing vessel fleet

Industrial fishing is a hazardous activity of global nature, meeting challenges in safety and labour conditions all over the world. When it comes to the international maritime transport sector, coordinated port state control efforts have been a powerful tool against substandard shipping practices, and this paper intends to set the framework for introducing such control system in the industrial fishing sector. Such control, via inspection regime, will be feasible once the International Maritime Organisation Cape Town Agreement of 2012 enters into force, provided that transparent data is made available by all stakeholders, firstly at the level of countries which are members of Paris Memorandum of understanding and probably when most members are parties to the relevant conventions. Automatic identification system data helped to determine the inspection effort and leads to conclude that this will likely be concentrated in time and in a limited number of ports. We examined the current risk profile after a consultation with stakeholders and concluded that it is not adequate for industrial fishing vessels. We also concluded that port state control memorandums will probably require to set an inspection effort based on the number of calls in a parallel but separate regime to that of merchant ships, due to the differences with merchant ships. However, the current memorandums and agreements could well encompass industrial fishing vessels considering the current historic records in relation to flag state performance. Furthermore, it would be possible but complex to introduce social, economic and fisheries parameters in the risk profile for port state control, which could contribute to deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.