The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020

parties will be legally bound by the provisions of these instruments after 
they enter into force. On the other hand, non-binding instruments 
provide policy guidance for States and are often referred to as “soft 
law”, as the parties to these instruments will not be legally bound by 
the provisions of these instruments.
the establishment of subregional or regional 
fisheries organizations. 
Compliance Agreement
The Agreement to Promote Compliance with 
International Conservation and Management 
Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas 
was approved by the FAO Conference in 1993 
and entered into force in 2003. Its objective 
is to promote acquiescence with international 
conservation and management measures by 
fishing vessels operating on the high seas.