Abstract
The World Trade Organization (WTO) achieved a significant milestone in June 2022 by adopting a much-anticipated fisheries subsidies agreement1, aligning with strong recommendation from the global scientific community2. This pivotal agreement marks a crucial advance towards ensuring the sustainability of our ocean. For the first time, it establishes binding global regulations compelling governments to assess the legality and sustainability of the fishing activities they subsidize. Harmful subsidies are a key driver of overfishing which is a major threat to ocean biodiversity3. Subsidies also exacerbate CO2 emissions from fishing sectors by incentivizing over-capacity and putting coastal livelihoods and food security at risks. Within this agreement, trade ministers committed to further negotiations on unresolved matters. Such matters include crafting new regulations to diminish subsidies contributing to overfishing and excessive fishing capacity (Fig. 1) that have given some countries an unfair advantage in exploiting the ocean. Removing harmful subsidies and therefore overfishing, will help to rebuild diverse fish populations, subsequently leading to increased levels of sustainable catches, and income for fishers. Rebuilt fish populations would also help reduce carbon emissions7,8. With an upcoming ministerial meeting in February 2024, WTO members are uniquely positioned to institute additional regulations that eliminate harmful subsidies, demonstrating their dedication to safeguarding the ocean and charting a more sustainable and equitable pathway forward with a commitment to more equitable trade. We, a coalition of scientists representing all inhabited continents, urge the WTO to conclude the second round of negotiations by adopting ambitious regulations prioritizing fisheries sustainability and equity.
Generated Summary
This research article, published in *npj Ocean Sustainability*, analyzes the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) fisheries subsidies agreement, reached in June 2022. The study emphasizes the significance of this agreement in promoting sustainable ocean practices, driven by recommendations from the global scientific community. It advocates for additional regulations to address overfishing and inequitable trade practices. The research underscores the importance of eliminating harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and excessive fishing capacity. The article calls for the completion of the second round of negotiations by the WTO, with an emphasis on fisheries sustainability and equity. It highlights the necessity for additional regulations to tackle the root causes of overfishing and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.6, which aims to prohibit certain fisheries subsidies and eliminate those contributing to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overcapacity, and overfishing. The research also acknowledges the need for special and differential treatment for developing countries and emphasizes the importance of ensuring that any exemptions do not create loopholes leading to unintended consequences.
Key Findings & Statistics
- In 2018, the total fisheries subsidies amounted to approximately $35.4 billion USD.
- Developing countries provided a total of $10.3 billion USD in subsidies, while developed countries provided $25.1 billion USD.
- The category of subsidies with the most ambiguous effects totaled around $14.3 billion USD.
- The category of capacity-enhancing subsidies amounted to approximately $8.6 billion USD.
- Beneficial subsidies, those that could support sustainable practices, totaled around $12.5 billion USD.
- China was identified as the highest subsidizing nation/political entity, with approximately $7.3 billion USD in subsidies.
- The European Union (EU) followed, with about $6.3 billion USD in subsidies.
- The United States provided around $1.1 billion USD in subsidies.
- In 2018, harmful subsidies in leading Distance-Water Fishing (DWF) nations/political entities totaled $1.54 billion USD.
- China’s harmful subsidies reached $629 million USD, with 579 million hours of fishing effort.
- The EU’s harmful subsidies were at $279 million USD, with 581 million hours of fishing effort.
- Japan’s harmful subsidies were at $240 million USD, with 207 million hours of fishing effort.
- South Korea’s harmful subsidies were at $217 million USD, with 135 million hours of fishing effort.
- Taiwan’s harmful subsidies were at $175 million USD, with 665 million hours of fishing effort.
Other Important Findings
- The WTO agreement is a crucial step towards ensuring the sustainability of the ocean by establishing global regulations on fishing subsidies.
- Harmful subsidies are a key driver of overfishing, a major threat to ocean biodiversity.
- The agreement addresses issues like IUU fishing, exploitation of overfished populations, and unmanaged fish populations.
- Additional regulations are needed to tackle subsidies that contribute to overfishing and excessive fishing capacity.
- Rebuilding fish populations can lead to increased sustainable catches and income for fishers.
- The WTO ministerial meeting in February 2024 is a key opportunity to institute additional regulations to eliminate harmful subsidies.
- The necessity for additional regulations is clear, especially in regards to subsidies incentivizing unsustainable fishing capacity.
- Special and differential treatment is needed for developing countries, particularly in regions impacted by climate change.
- Clear prohibitions against subsidies driving overfishing and excessive fishing capacity are crucial.
- Exemptions for subsidies should not create loopholes and should require demonstration of sustainability measures.
- Subsidies for distant water fishing fleets should be abolished to prevent overfishing.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The document does not explicitly mention the limitations of the research methodology.
- It focuses on advocating for policy changes based on existing data and agreements.
- The analysis is primarily based on the existing WTO agreement and the context surrounding it.
- It doesn’t include primary data collection or original research.
- The scope is limited to the WTO’s role in fisheries subsidies and related issues.
Conclusion
The article strongly advocates for the completion of an ambitious fisheries subsidies agreement by the WTO to ensure the sustainability of global oceans and equitable trade practices. The authors emphasize the critical need to eliminate harmful subsidies that drive overfishing and the importance of additional regulations to address overcapacity in fishing fleets. The study underscores the significance of aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14.6, which targets the elimination of subsidies contributing to overfishing and IUU fishing. It also highlights the necessity of providing special and differential treatment to developing countries while preventing loopholes that could undermine these efforts. The research underscores the crucial role of well-managed wild fisheries in supporting food security, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. The authors call on global leaders to leverage their political authority to safeguard ocean health and societal well-being, ensuring the achievement of ‘infinity fish’ and ocean resilience. The authors are urging the WTO to conclude the second round of negotiations by adopting regulations that prioritize fisheries sustainability and equity. They emphasize that the current agreement tackles only some critical issues; therefore, additional regulations are essential to tackle the root causes of overfishing and the impacts on coastal livelihoods. Key takeaways from this article include a call to action for the WTO to prioritize sustainability and equity, the need for comprehensive regulations to eliminate harmful subsidies, and the recognition of the importance of supporting developing countries while preventing unintended consequences. This study highlights the urgent need for global cooperation in the face of overfishing and climate change impacts, urging stakeholders to protect ocean health and secure a sustainable future for marine resources and those who depend on them.