Initiatives
ZEROinFIVE
THE MISSION
Stop seafood imports from IUU fishing within 5 years, by blocking illegally caught fish from the world’s ports & markets.
THE CHALLENGE
Globally, an estimated 1 in 5 fish (20%) are caught illegally. In some countries, that number can reach as high as 50%. Such illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is devastating marine ecosystems and harming honest fishers and local communities.
In 2009, the world agreed on a revolutionary idea: the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA). This UN FAO international treaty gives governments the legal right to block illegally caught fish from entering markets, stopping it before it lands in port. If properly implemented by all signatories, the PSMA would essentially make illegal fish unsellable, meaning catch cannot be converted to cash.
However, most countries lack the tools, data, and training to implement PSMA effectively. Today, only a handful of countries out of 80 signatories have an effective PSMA implementation that verifies the origin of every imported catch.
That’s where we — and you — come in. Let’s turn the tide on illegal fishing, together.
In 2009, the world agreed on a revolutionary idea: the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA). This UN FAO international treaty gives governments the legal right to block illegally caught fish from entering markets, stopping it before it lands in port. If properly implemented by all signatories, the PSMA would essentially make illegal fish unsellable, meaning catch cannot be converted to cash.
However, most countries lack the tools, data, and training to implement PSMA effectively. Today, only a handful of countries out of 80 signatories have an effective PSMA implementation that verifies the origin of every imported catch.
That’s where we — and you — come in. Let’s turn the tide on illegal fishing, together.
THE SOLUTION
OceanMind turns PSMA commitments into real-world impact by helping countries make confident, data-driven decisions to:
- Verify vessel histories,
- Detect IUU activities, and
- Deny access to port services.
OceanMind’s capacity building programme begins with full support for PSMA risk assessments and inspection planning, followed by a complete handover and independent operation by the host country over a 12- to 24-month period.
Proven Success
Between 2015 and 2020, OceanMind supported Thailand in a complete reform its fisheries enforcement capability, including comprehensive PSMA implementation:
- Developing an AI-powered risk assessment tool to help port officials verify the behaviour of any vessel requesting port access to import seafood, and
- Launching a capacity building programme to train officials in pre-entry risk assessment, inspection planning, and import authorisation decision making.
Following the success in Thailand, OceanMind has begun capacity building in the Philippines and is preparing to deliver support to Cambodia.
