India Joins WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

Why in News?

India became a party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by depositing its Instrument of Acceptance on 20 July 2026. India became the 123rd WTO member to formally accept the agreement.

The agreement was adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva in June 2022. It entered into force on 15 September 2025, after receiving acceptance from two-thirds of WTO members.

It seeks to curb harmful subsidies that contribute to the depletion of global marine fish stocks.

What is the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?

The agreement applies mainly to subsidies related to marine wild-capture fishing and fishing-related activities at sea. Aquaculture and inland fisheries are outside its core scope.

Subsidies Prohibited or Disciplined

The agreement restricts subsidies linked to:

• Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Fishing of overfished stocks, subject to specified sustainability safeguards.
• Fishing activities in certain unregulated high-seas areas.

Importantly, the 2022 agreement did not fully settle broader rules on subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing. These issues remained central to subsequent negotiations.

What Fisheries Support Can Continue?

The WTO agreement does not impose a blanket ban on all fisheries subsidies. Governments can continue legitimate support where it is consistent with the agreement, including measures related to:

• Sustainable fisheries management and conservation.
• Scientific research and stock assessment.
• Capacity building and livelihood support consistent with WTO rules.
• Aquaculture and inland fisheries, which are outside the agreement’s main disciplines.

India’s Position and Past Conflicts at WTO

India has consistently argued that fisheries rules must recognise the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” and protect small-scale fishers.

In negotiations on further disciplines, India has demanded:

• A 25-year transition period for developing countries.
• Protection for small-scale and artisanal fishers.
• Stronger restrictions on subsidies supporting large distant-water industrial fishing fleets.
• Recognition that developed nations historically benefited from large fisheries subsidies and industrial fishing capacity.

This became a major negotiating conflict because India argued that uniform subsidy restrictions could unfairly constrain developing countries while allowing historically subsidised industrial fleets to retain their advantage.

Important Facts for Exams

• WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement adopted at MC12 in 2022.
• Entered into force: 15 September 2025.
• India deposited its acceptance instrument on 20 July 2026.
• IUU Fishing: Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing.
• Marine wild-capture fishing: Harvesting naturally occurring fish from seas and oceans.
• Aquaculture: Controlled breeding and farming of aquatic organisms.
• India advocates special protection for small-scale and artisanal fishers.
• The agreement supports SDG 14.6, which addresses harmful fisheries subsidies.

Read: Detailed Article on WTO Subsidies, Peace Clause and India’s Stand