Palau has become the first Pacific island country to ratify an international agreement to combat illegal fishing.
Palau joins 14 other parties who've signed up to the Port States Measures Agreement which allows states to block ships suspected of engaging in illegal fishing.
The UN pact also sets standards for the inspection of fishing vessels entering a port.
Various other measures are included in the arrangement set up to fight illicit fishing which is estimated to cost the global economy US$23 billion each year.
A Palauan law enforcement and Greenpeace vessel escorting a Taiwanese long line fishing vessel suspected of illegally shark finning in Palau's EEZ in 2011. Photo: AFP / GREENPEACE / ALEX HOFFORD
The agreement is expected to come into force within the next year once there is ratification by 25 parties.
Palau's president Tommy Remengesau says the agreement is critical for the success of the country's newly established marine sanctuary.
José Graziano da Silva of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation says he hopes Palau's ratification will encourage other small islands to do the same, as they are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of illicit fishing.
