UN: agreement near on illegal fishing treaty

A U.N. agency says that more than 60 countries are close to agreeing on a treaty to close ports to ships involved in illegal fishing.

Representatives at talks at the Food and Agriculture Organization's headquarters in Rome are considering a treaty that would require vessels to provide details about their activity and what fish are on board before securing permission to enter ports.

Catching protected species, using outlawed types of gear or disregarding catch quotas are common illegal fishing offenses.

The agency said Tuesday that illegal fishing is a big problem in the waters off West Africa, in the Indian Ocean and in some parts of the Pacific Islands.

Final details of the agreement will be discussed in future talks.