As the 2012 Cape Town Agreement, or the pact being pushed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to help protect fishing crew members globally, takes effect in February 2027, with the Philippines not acceding to it, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said the country is not yet assenting because it is still weighing concerns raised by stakeholders, among other technical considerations.

Only 28 countries have acceded to the Agreement to date, namely Argentina, Belgium, Belize, Congo, Cook Islands, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Japan, Kenya, Namibia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, and Vanuatu.

“The Philippines has not acceded to the 2012 Cape Town Agreement (CTA) due to technical, procedural, and stakeholder considerations,” Marina told the DAILY TRIBUNE on Thursday.

“During the earlier conduct of national interest analysis, the Agreement had not yet met the required conditions for entry into force, which include ratification by at least 22 IMO Member States collectively representing 3,600 vessels of more than 24 meters in length,” it said.

The IMO, a United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping, hailed the CTA, with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez saying: “Thousands of fishers lose their lives every year while working to supply the world's growing appetite for fish and fish products. The 2012 Cape Town Agreement will help protect fishing crews, while safeguarding vessels.”

The Agreement sets minimum requirements on the design, construction, equipment, and inspection of fishing vessels 24 meters in length and over, or equivalent in gross tons. Its entry into force would empower port states to carry out safety inspections.

Moreover, Marina said the entry-into-force conditions have now been satisfied with the accession of Argentina on 24 February 2026, 12 months after which the CTA will take effect, or in February 2027.

“It is important to note that the CTA primarily applies to fishing vessels engaged in international voyages. It does not affect domestic fishing operations within Philippine waters,” Marina said.

Marina maintained that it remains committed to safeguarding Filipino fishers and vessels and will continue to assess the appropriate course of action regarding accession, in coordination with relevant agencies and stakeholders.