Panama, Nov 13 (EFE) .- Panama joined a UN-sponsored global registry of vessels that seeks to gather data on fishing vessels from around the world to try to fight illegal fishing, official sources reported today.

The so-called World Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport and Supply is a tool promoted by the Organization of the United Nations for Food and Agriculture (FAO) "to increase the transparency and traceability of vessels and fishery products," the agency explained.

"La The information that the countries provide to the registry is of great relevance and is vital for compliance with the Agreement on Measures of the State of the Port, "the statement said. administrator of the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP), Zuleika Pinzón.

Panama became in 2016 is one of the first six countries in Latin America to ratify this agreement, considered the main binding international treaty against illegal fishing.

The treaty, which did not enter into force until 2016 and which has already ratified more than 70 countries around the world, obliges the signatory States to inspect those suspicious vessels and to deny berthing in their ports in case the illegal origin of their vessels is confirmed. fishing.

According to FAO estimates, illegal, unreported and unregulated (INDR) fishing reaches 26 million tonnes each year (equivalent to 15% of world production) registered) and moves about 23,000 million dollars.

Panama, with an average of 13 kilograms of fish per person per year, is one of the countries with the highest consumption of this food of Latin America.