Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)
The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, now in force, represents a major step forward in favour of protecting the oceans’ living resources. It is also the first time a WTO Agreement has environmental protection at its core. Sainabou Taal, Head of Fisheries Subsidies at the WTO, and Amb. Santiago Wills, who chaired the negotiations from 2019 until 2022, when the agreement was concluded, explain how it benefits the environment, development and all of us who love fish.
Our thanks to Aquatis, Aquarium and Vivarium Lausanne, for welcoming the WTO experts for this project.
Download this video from the WTO website:
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm
If you want to go deeper, here are a few additional explanations:
At the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, held on 12-17 June 2022 in Geneva, members adopted this historic Agreement after working on this issue in the WTO’s Negotiating Group on Rules since 2001. It prohibits government support for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; fishing of overfished stocks; and fishing on the unregulated high seas.
It also creates the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism – also called the WTO Fish Fund. It accepts voluntary contributions to provide developing and least developed country (LDC) members with targeted technical assistance and capacity building for the purpose of implementing the disciplines under the Agreement.
Here are five key benefits brought by the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies:
1. Protection of Livelihoods and Food Security:
The Agreement prohibits harmful fisheries subsidies that contribute to the depletion of global fish stocks, which adversely impacts approximately 260 million people who rely on marine fish for their livelihoods. By implementing strict disciplines, the Agreement specifically targets illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by curtailing subsidies that promote such practices. Additionally, it bans subsidies for fishing on overfished stocks unless there are provisions for rebuilding these populations. Furthermore, the Agreement limits subsidies for fishing in unregulated areas of the high seas. Improving the sustainability of fisheries will enable governments to redirect billions of dollars previously spent on harmful subsidies toward more sustainable fishing practices, which is vital for maintaining food security, particularly in developing nations where fish constitute a major protein source.
2. Reinforcement of the Rules-Based Trading Framework:
This Agreement significantly bolsters the international trade framework for seafood. The Agreement sets an important precedent as the first WTO multilateral agreement to prioritize environmental sustainability, which improves predictability and governance regarding shared ocean resources. Moreover, it reduces tensions among member nations by providing a legal framework for addressing disputes related to fisheries. The heightened transparency regarding fisheries practices is expected to promote cooperation and understanding among WTO members.
3. Support for UN Sustainable Development Goals:
The Agreement plays a crucial role in contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 14, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. It explicitly prohibits subsidies that contribute to overfishing and IUU fishing, thereby addressing pressing environmental challenges that threaten marine ecosystems.
4. Promotion of an Inclusive Rules-Based Approach:
The Agreement establishes a framework of equitable rules for all WTO members, ensuring that the specific challenges faced by developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) are taken into account. To facilitate a smooth transition, the Agreement includes provisions such as a "peace clause" for LDCs, which allows them to avoid facing immediate penalties for certain subsidy measures for two years after the Agreement’s entry into force.
5. Sustainable Future for Shared Oceans:
Over two-thirds of WTO members have ratified the Agreement, indicating a strong commitment to collaborative efforts for translating the established rules into effective practices. The establishment of a Committee on Fisheries Subsidies will facilitate information sharing and monitor compliance related to fisheries management. Furthermore, the Agreement mandates transparency by requiring members to report on their subsidy measures and their impacts, which aims to foster sustainably managed fish stocks capable of supporting larger populations and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
More information:
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/rulesneg_e/fish_e/fish_e.htm
Special thanks to:
Santiago Wills, Director of the Council and TNC Division, WTO and Former Chair (2019-2022), Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations
Sainabou Taal, Head of Fisheries Subsidies, WTO
The staff at Aquatis Vivarium and Terrarium, Lausanne, for their support and warm welcome