What’s next for the second round of fisheries subsidies agreement negotiations at the upcoming WTO conference?

6-February-2024 (written by Xiaohan Xu)

The Sequeira Lab leader, Assoc. Prof. Ana Sequeira, has contributed to a comment entitled “WTO must complete an ambitious fisheries subsidies Agreement” just published in the Nature Portfolio journal Ocean Sustainability. In this comment, Ana along with 36 other scientists urge global leaders to conclude fisheries subsidies agreement negotiations by adopting ambitious regulations prioritising fisheries sustainability and equity in the upcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference in February 2024.

Removing harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and excessive fishing capacities is crucial for preserving ocean biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions and securing coastal livelihoods and food supply. Though WTO has achieved a milestone by establishing binding global regulations compelling governments to assess the legality and sustainability of the fishing activities they subsidise in June 2022, supplementary regulations to prohibit harmful subsidies are still in urgent need. This comment also highlights that special and differential treatment is needed for developing countries with careful consideration to avoid unintended loopholes.

Let's hope WTO adopts the suggestions made for more sustainable fisheries.

photo credit: Climate Conscious.