Vietnam and 90 other countries reached agreement in Rome on Tuesday on a new treaty to fight illegal fishing, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says on its website.

The move aims to block IUU-caught fish from entering international markets, thereby removing an important incentive for fishermen to engage in illicit fishing, according to the FAO.

The countries also commit to take “port state measures” to harden their ports against IUU fishers, like asking foreign fishing vessels which wish to dock to request permission from specially designated ports in advanced, and transmit information on their activities and the fish they have on board.

They must also inspect ships regularly to see if they are involved in IUU fishing, and ensure their ports and inspectors are adequately equipped and trained.

The treaty will get a final review at the FAO conference in November.

Once 25 countries gain approval of it at the national level, the treaty will take effect after 30 days.

Source: FAO website