India Joins WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

India Joins WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

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Why in News

  • India officially accepted the **World Trade Organization (WTO)** **Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS)** by depositing its **Instrument of Acceptance**.
  • With this step, India became the **123rd member** of the WTO to formally approve this global treaty.

Key Features and Scope of the Agreement

  • Member countries adopted this agreement by consensus during the **12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12)** in **Geneva** in **June 2022**.
  • This pact is the first multilateral agreement under the WTO that focuses directly on environmental sustainability.
  • The agreement formally came into effect on **15th September 2025** after two-thirds of WTO members ratified it.
  • It applies strictly to **marine wild capture fishing** and related activities out at sea.
  • The treaty completely excludes **aquaculture** and **inland fisheries** from its regulatory scope.

Targeting Harmful Subsidies

  • The pact prohibits government subsidies linked to **Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing** and the targeting of **overfished stocks**.
  • This prohibition aims to curb global overexploitation driven by large industrial fishing vessels.
  • Data from the **WTO** shows that **37.7%** of global marine stocks are overfished today, compared to **10%** in **1974**.
  • Governments spend about **USD 35 billion** annually on global fishing subsidies, which fuels unsustainable industrial operations.

Significance for India

  • By restricting huge subsidies given to large industrial fleets by rich nations, the agreement creates a fair market for Indian fishers.
  • This protection directly safeguards the food security, jobs, and livelihoods of India's **traditional and small-scale coastal fishing communities**.
  • Since aquaculture is excluded, India's main seafood export of **aquaculture-based shrimp** remains completely safe and untouched.
  • Joining this pact also strengthens India's international image in sustainability-focused global trade markets.

Alignment with Domestic Frameworks

  • India prepared its domestic regulatory framework by introducing the **Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025**.
  • The government issued the **Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025**.
  • India continues supporting fisher welfare and capacity building through various schemes under the **Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)**.