WWF is urging policy makers to develop effective international trade rules that will reduce or eliminate harmful fishing subsidies - without reducing the ability of governments to support activities that conserve marine resources, promote secure livelihoods and/or encourage sustainable development.
Eliminating harmful fishing subsidies
Back in 2001, WWF was instrumental in making the World Trade Organization (WTO) agree to include fishing subsidies reform in the trade negotiating mandate. Then in 2005, WTO members committed to draft rules to phase out subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing.
Following these commitments, we now have a unique opportunity to develop binding and effective new rules to prohibit subsidies that promote unsustainable outcomes.
We also have the chance to develop clear criteria that allow fishing subsidies which promote sustainable fisheries management.
Following these commitments, we now have a unique opportunity to develop binding and effective new rules to prohibit subsidies that promote unsustainable outcomes.
We also have the chance to develop clear criteria that allow fishing subsidies which promote sustainable fisheries management.
Our current work includes:
- providing input into WTO negotiations on reforming fishing subsidies.
- developing detailed proposals and approaches on how to balance subsidy reform with the provision of legitimate financial subsidies that conserve marine resources.
- calling for intergovernmental organizations other than the WTO to play a role in regulating these subsidies.
What's the catch postcard
Government subsidies account for nearly 20% of revenues to the fishing industry worldwide.
These subsidies encourage overfishing, and can harm local fishing industries and distort international markets.
Find out more...
These subsidies encourage overfishing, and can harm local fishing industries and distort international markets.
Find out more...
Key publications
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Which Way Forward?
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WTO, fisheries subsidies, Brazil, trade, fisheries
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The Best of Texts, The Worst of Texts
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Fisheries Subsidies 'Will the EU turn its back on the 2002 Reforms?'
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What's the catch?
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Healthy Fisheries, Sustainable Trade: Crafting new rules on fishing subsidies in the World Trade Organization
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Executive Summary: Healthy Fisheries, Sustainable Trade (Spanish)
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Executive Summary: Healthy Fisheries, Sustainable Trade (French)
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White Outline: Healthy Fisheries, Sustainable Trade (Spanish)
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White Outline: Healthy Fisheries, Sustainable Trade (French)
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Turning The Tide on Fishing Subsidies
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Hard Facts, Hidden Problems: WWF Technical Paper
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Fishing in the Dark
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WWF comments on new US fisheries subsidies proposal in the WTO
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Special and differential treatment for developing country fisheries subsidies
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Fact sheet on Fisheries subsidies reform in the WTO 2009
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Workshop report on WTO Chair's Draft Legal Text on Fisheries Subsidies 2008
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Small boats, big problems 2008
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WWF's statement on WTO Chair's Draft Legal Text on Fisheries Subsidies 2007
News
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Late night deal on fisheries lacks decisive action on fish stocks
Political compromise risks continuing malaise of fishing communities
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Late night deal on fisheries lacks decisive action on fish stocks
Political compromise risks continuing malaise of fishing communities
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Do something historic. End overfishing. Now
The European Parliament and the Fisheries Ministers now have the responsibility to end overfishing by 2015. In the European Parliament, an ...
