WTO Agreement
on Fisheries Subsidies
Prelims:
International
Organisations
Mains:
GS Paper II- International relations, GS
Paper III- Indian Economy, Agriculture
Current
relevance:
India has deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the WTO
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on July 2026, becoming the 123rd WTO
Member to join the Agreement.
Highlights:
1.
About WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
(AFS):
i.
It is adopted at the
12th WTO Ministerial Conference (Geneva, June 2022), is the first
multilateral WTO agreement with an environmental sustainability
objective.
ii.
It seeks to promote
the conservation and sustainable use of marine fisheries resources while
providing appropriate flexibilities for developing and least-developed
countries.
iii.
The Agreement covers
subsidies related to marine wild capture fishing and fishing-related activities
at sea, while aquaculture and inland fisheries remain outside its scope.
2.
Significance for India:
i.
Promotes sustainable
fisheries while safeguarding the livelihoods of traditional and small-scale
fishing communities.
ii.
Creates a fairer
global fisheries regime by curbing harmful subsidies to large industrial
fishing fleets.
iii.
Strengthens India's
reputation as a responsible seafood exporter, enhancing access to
sustainability-conscious international markets.
iv.
Since India's seafood
exports are largely aquaculture-based shrimp, which is outside the
Agreement's scope, the competitiveness of exports remains protected.
3.
India's Fisheries Management Framework
i.
Sustainable Harnessing
of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025.
ii.
Guidelines for
Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels,
2025.
iii.
Capacity-building
initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Source: PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2286763®=48&lang=1