Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) are currently engaged in discussions aimed at addressing subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity, with a focus on balancing sustainability and development to benefit communities and developing nations.
After failing to reach a satisfactory agreement at the 13th Ministerial Conference in February in Abu Dhabi, negotiations are ongoing in Geneva, where General Council meetings are viewed as critical for concluding talks. However, there are concerns that the push for a quick resolution could lead to a deal that favors the largest subsidizers, who have historically been responsible for overfishing.
The issues surrounding the current strategy were brought to light during the recent WTO Public Forum, where a session sponsored by the Norwegian Trade Campaign and the World Forum of Fish Workers and Fish Harvesters highlighted the need for a meaningful agreement that prohibits subsidies for overfishing and overcapacity while promoting development and sustainability.
Developing countries, particularly those with extensive coastlines and large populations of artisanal fishers, have expressed significant concerns about the agreement’s implications for them. Anisa Farida, First Secretary of the Indonesian Mission, emphasized that any outcome must not jeopardize Indonesia’s food security or its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She asserted that commitments shouldn’t simply adopt aggregate subsidy levels but should consider each country’s specific circumstances, including factors like Exclusive Economic Zone size and population. Furthermore, while the principle of “Common But Differentiated Responsibility” is included in the talks, critics argue that it doesn’t effectively hold the most responsible nations accountable for overfishing.
Challenges at the grassroots level, such as small-scale fishers struggling to secure livelihoods, may be exacerbated if substantial fleets that overfish are not adequately addressed in the proposed agreements. Alieu Sowe, National Coordinator for the Gambian Fisher Folks Association, raised concerns regarding limited flexibility for developing nations and the perpetuation of existing power imbalances in maritime environments.
Small-scale fishers are advocating for stronger measures against industrial fishing subsidies alongside better support for sustainable fishing practices, which they feel are lacking in the current draft of the agreement. Helene Bank of the Norwegian Trade Campaign urged the WTO to adhere to the commitment made under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 regarding capping the overcapacity contributing to overfishing.
While there is widespread agreement on the need to focus on significant high-seas fishing fleets, India has been singled out for allegedly obstructing progress towards an agreement at the recent conference. Critics, including Papua New Guinea’s Trade Minister Richard Maru, have pointed to influential foreign fishing nations that resist the removal of harmful subsidies as key players in the stagnation of talks.
For negotiations to effectively impact the fishing community, they must align with various international principles, including mandates outlined in SDG 14.6, while also safeguarding food security and equitable development principles that are crucial for poorer countries.
The ongoing proposals for special consideration of developing countries, aimed at easing their commitments, risk rewriting accepted sustainability solutions. Some Least Developed Countries (LDCs) may find themselves at a disadvantage as they transition out of LDC status, which can complicate their compliance with new obligations. Additionally, the current framework may inadvertently restrict support for small-scale fishers, despite their minimal role in driving overfishing.
Although there is disappointment over the inability to finalize agreements during the February Ministerial Conference and July’s General Council, there is cautious optimism. Many nations believe there is an opportunity to strengthen prohibitions on large fleets, thus providing negotiators with a chance to create a deal that genuinely addresses sustainability issues and supports the developmental needs of vulnerable communities.
Now is the time to reevaluate the negotiation strategies and ensure they are aligned with the essential principles to achieve a balanced outcome that prioritizes sustainability while fostering development within developing nations.