In addition to giving direct access to indexed port state measures and extracts of legal documents, the database will give users the full text of most of the information through links to FAOLEX - the FAO legislative database containing the world's largest electronic collection of national laws and regulations on food and agriculture, including fisheries.

Records of measures are provided in English, French or Spanish. When the original text is not available in one of these languages, the measure has been translated into English. The user should note that such translations are not official. Editorial comments/notes to the records are inserted in italics.

Search terms

I) By port state:

A search by a selected port state will display all measures adopted by that state or regional economic integration organization.

II) By port state measure:

This query mechanism allows the user to search the whole range of port state measures contained in the database. In addition to port state measures in the strict sense, users can also search for legislated action carried out by states as a follow-up to, or complementing, a port state measure.

1. Designated ports:
Ports or landing sites that are designated by the port state for vessels to have access to, and to land and tranship their catch.

2. Prior notification of port entry/landing/transhipment:
The requirement by the port state for a vessel to provide notification, including information about the vessel, catch and the time of entry, prior to accessing its ports and conducting landing or transhipment of catch.

3. Flag state or vessel confirmation:
The requirement by the port state for confirmation from the flag state or the vessel before the vessel can access its ports. Flag state confirmation can involve a verification of the information provided by the vessel concerning for example the vessel, while vessel confirmation can involve a declaration by the vessel that it has not engaged in IUU fishing.

4. Port entry authorization:
The requirement by a port state for a vessel to obtain an authorization before it is permitted to enter its ports.

5. Landing/transhipment authorization:
The requirement by a port state for a vessel to obtain an authorization before it is permitted to land or tranship catch in its ports.

6. Restrictions on port entry:
Restrictions imposed by the port State that have the effect of denying or limiting a vessel’s entry into port, or subjecting port entry to certain conditions.

7. Restrictions on landing/transhipment:
Restrictions imposed by the port State that have the effect of denying or limiting a vessel’s opportunity to land and tranship catch in its ports, or subjecting landing and transhipment to certain conditions.

8. Restrictions on supplies and services:
Restrictions imposed by the port State that have the effect of denying or limiting a vessel’s access to port services (refuelling, re-supplying etc.).

9. Documentation requirements:
Requirements by the port state for a vessel to furnish documentation (log books, catch documentation, landing declarations etc.) to the port state authorities before, during or after port entry or landing/transhipment.

10. Port inspections:
Requirements by a port state for a vessel to undergo an inspection when it is in port. This includes an inspection of catch, gear and documents, as well as controlling the actual landing or transhipment of the catch (weighing and recording catch etc.). General inspection powers are also included.

11. Information exchange/reporting:
Measures through which a port state exchanges information with other states, including the flag state, and/or relevant RFMOs about, inter alia, landings, transhipments and the results of port inspections carried out in their ports.

12. IUU vessel listing:
Measures where a port state includes a vessel in a list of vessels having engaged in, or supported, IUU fishing, and which will restrict the vessel’s future access to its ports.

13. Sanctions:
Provisions through which a port state imposes sanctions, including administrative penalties, forfeiture and seizure, on the vessel (owner, master and crew) because the vessel has engaged in, or supported, IUU fishing.

14. Trade-related measures:
Provisions through which a port state restricts the import or re-export of fish that stems from IUU fishing.

15. Port departure requirements:
Provisions through which a port state imposes requirements on the vessel before it is permitted to leave its ports, e.g. fitting VMS on board the vessel.

16. Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous measures.

III) By year of adoption of port state measure:

Search by year will display all measures that were adopted that particular year.

IV) By species:

Search by a selected species will display all measures adopted in respect of that species.

V) By flag of vessel:

This query mechanism allows the user to search for all measures which specifically target a specific flag state or a defined group of flag states.

1. All vessels:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target all vessels regardless of flag.

2. Foreign vessels:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target foreign vessels. Foreign vessels are vessels that are not flagged or registered in the state where the applicable measure was adopted.

3. National vessels:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target national vessels. National vessels are vessels that are flagged or registered in the state where the applicable measure was adopted.

4. Selected flag of vessel:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target vessels flying the flag of the selected flag state, adopted either by the flag state for application on national vessels or by other states in respect of the particular flag state. For this search query, a port state has to be selected.

5. RFMO vessels:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target the selected RFMO vessels. RFMO vessels are vessels flagged or registered in a state that is a member or a co-operating non-member of the relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO).

6. Non-RFMO vessels:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target the selected non-RFMO vessels. Non-RFMO vessels are vessels that are flagged or registered in a state that is not a member or a co-operating non-member of the relevant RFMO.

7. EU-vessels:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target EU-vessels. EU-vessels are vessels that are flagged or registered in a member state of the European Union.

8. Non-EU vessels:
This search term will display all measures which specifically target non-EU vessels. Non-EU vessels are vessels that are not flagged or registered in a member state of the European Union.

VI) By competence area:

This query mechanism allows the user to search for measures applying to fishing related activities taking place in a specific competence area.

1. All waters:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out in all waters. All waters comprise all competence areas, including national waters and the high seas.

2. High seas:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out on the high seas. High seas are areas beyond the jurisdiction of any state, whether it is covered by a regional fisheries management organization or not.

3. National waters:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out in national waters. National waters are areas under the jurisdiction of a state namely the internal waters, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf.

4. Select coastal state area:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out in areas under the jurisdiction of the selected coastal state, adopted either by the coastal state for application in their national waters or adopted by other states in respect of that particular coastal state area.

5. Non-national waters:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out in all areas except the national waters of the state that adopted the measures.

6. RFMO area:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out in areas under the jurisdiction of the selected Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO).

7. EU waters:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out in the national waters of the of EU members.

8. Non-EU waters:
This search term will display all measures which only apply to fishing related activities carried out in all areas except EU waters.