India is set to ratify the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, calling for stricter rules on historical subsidisers and protections for developing nations through special and differential treatment. The agreement, the WTO’s first environmental pact, bans subsidies for illegal fishing, overfished stocks, and unregulated high seas. India proposes per capita subsidy limits and a 25-year exemption for small fishers.
Domestically, fish production rose 104% from 2013–2025, driven by modern aquaculture, PMMSY projects worth ₹17,210 crore, 34 fisheries clusters, 11 Integrated Aquaparks, startup support, and 163 new projects.
India has informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it is in the process of ratifying the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, while also urging for a more balanced framework that places stricter rules on countries with a history of granting large-scale subsidies.
At last week’s Special General Council meeting, New Delhi underlined the need for “precise and effective” special and differential treatment (S&DT), which grants developing and least developed countries (LDCs) longer transition periods, greater flexibility, and enhanced trading opportunities.
With the agreement now in force after being ratified by 111 WTO members, India stressed that its implementation must safeguard sustainability and ensure fairness.
The agreement introduces binding rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies, particularly those supporting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfished stocks, and unregulated high seas activities. India highlighted that developing nations which have not historically contributed to over-exploitation should retain sufficient policy space as they work toward sustainable practices.
The WTO is now negotiating a second wave of reforms, known as “Fish 2,” to tackle subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity.
India has called for subsidy disciplines to be calculated on a per capita basis rather than aggregate totals. This approach, grounded in the S&DT principle, would help protect the livelihoods of millions of small and artisanal fishers. The proposal has gained backing from nearly 50 developing and least developed countries, including Tunisia, Senegal, Bangladesh, and Morocco.
India has also sought a 25-year exemption from subsidy reduction commitments to safeguard its poor fishing communities, while developed nations are pressing for a much shorter transition period of five to seven years.
Citing the sharp disparity in support levels—where subsidies in developed countries amount to roughly US$76,000 per fisher annually compared to India’s US$35—the government argued that new disciplines should consider the intensity of subsidies rather than their absolute value.
Further, New Delhi emphasized that rules for distant water fishing must reflect the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities,” ensuring that historical subsidisers shoulder greater responsibility for sustainability while developing nations retain the flexibility needed for inclusive growth.
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies marks the organization’s first multilateral pact with environmental sustainability at its core. It introduces binding rules that prohibit governments from granting subsidies that fuel illegal fishing activities or contribute to the overexploitation of fish stocks, thereby protecting marine biodiversity and advancing global sustainability goals.
At a recent meeting, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received the instruments of acceptance from Brazil, Kenya, Viet Nam, and Tonga, which pushed the total ratifications past the required two-thirds majority of WTO members. With this milestone, the Agreement officially entered into force on 15 September.
Members hailed the development as a landmark for both the multilateral trading system and environmental protection, pledging to begin implementation swiftly. They highlighted that the new disciplines will play a critical role in restoring global fish stocks, safeguarding the livelihoods of fishing communities, and strengthening food security.
Adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in June 2022, the Agreement sets out clear prohibitions:
These measures aim to counterbalance decades of harmful practices. In 1974, just 10% of global fish stocks were classified as overfished; by 2021, that figure had surged to 35.5%. At present, marine fishing subsidies total about US$ 35 billion annually, with nearly US$ 22 billion deemed harmful because they encourage overcapacity and depletion.
To help developing and least developed countries (LDCs) meet the Agreement’s obligations, ministers created the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism (Fish Fund). This initiative will channel technical assistance and capacity-building resources, enabling members to better manage their fisheries while transitioning toward sustainable practices.
About seventeen WTO members have already pledged more than US$ 18 million to the fund. In June, the Fish Fund issued its first Call for Proposals, inviting eligible ratifying members to apply for grants by 9 October to support national implementation projects. Oversight will be ensured through the creation of a dedicated Committee on Fisheries Subsidies, tasked with reviewing members’ fishing practices, monitoring subsidy programs, and ensuring transparency.
India is the second largest fish-producing country globally, accounting for roughly 8% of worldwide production. Fisheries serve as a vital source of food, income, and employment, particularly for millions of families in coastal and rural regions. Over the past decade, the sector has undergone a remarkable transformation in scale, technology, and sustainability.
From 2013-14 to 2024-25, India’s total fish production grew by 104%, rising from 96 lakh tonnes to 195 lakh tonnes, encompassing both marine and inland fisheries. Inland fisheries, in particular, witnessed a 142% increase, from 61 lakh tonnes to 147.37 lakh tonnes, driven by modern, high-yield aquaculture practices.
Improved technology, infrastructure, and value chains—including investments in hatcheries, pond systems, cold storage, and market networks—have enabled farmers to increase productivity, reduce losses, and reach consumers more efficiently. This has strengthened the sector, feeding more people while supporting larger livelihoods.
The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated a record Rs. 2,703.67 crore to the fisheries sector, reflecting the government’s focus on growth and sustainability.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Department of Fisheries has supported projects worth ₹17,210.46 crore as of 29 July 2025, including ₹6,761.80 crore from the central share.
Currently, India has 34 officially notified fisheries clusters, including organic fisheries clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya, promoting environmentally sustainable practices.
Eleven Integrated Aquaparks have been approved under PMMSY with a total sanctioned cost of ₹682.60 crore. These hubs provide end-to-end support across the aquaculture value chain—from seed and feed to farming services, processing, cold storage, and marketing. By promoting cluster-based development, these parks reduce post-harvest losses and enhance farmers’ incomes through value addition.
Through PMMSY’s Entrepreneur Model, 39 fisheries startups have received ₹31.22 crore in subsidy support, along with seed funding, incubation, and guidance for productivity and market access.
As of July 2025, about 163 new projects from states, UTs, and private entrepreneurs were approved, with a total cost of ₹6,273.31 crore, including ₹4,209.05 crore earmarked for interest subvention support.
In 2025, India strengthened its global partnerships: a Technical Cooperation Programme with FAO was signed in March to enhance Blue Ports, and a joint workshop with the French Development Bank (AFD) in May promoted Eco-Fishing Ports.
In conclusion, India’s ratification of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies demonstrates its commitment to environmental sustainability, fair trade, and protection of small-scale fishers. Domestically, the sector has expanded significantly, with record fish production, PMMSY investments, 34 fisheries clusters, 11 Integrated Aquaparks, startup support, and new projects, strengthening value chains and market access. Coupled with international collaborations with FAO and AFD to promote Blue and Eco-Fishing Ports, these initiatives enhance livelihoods, ensure responsible fisheries management, and reinforce India’s role as a global leader in sustainable fisheries.
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FAQs
1. What is the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies? The WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement is the organization’s first multilateral pact focused on environmental sustainability. It bans subsidies that fuel illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fishing of overfished stocks, and unregulated high seas operations.
2. Why is India ratifying the agreement? India aims to align with global sustainability goals while protecting the interests of millions of small and artisanal fishers. Ratification also reinforces India’s call for stricter rules on historically high subsidisers and fair treatment for developing nations.
3. What special provisions is India seeking? India is pressing for:
4. How does the agreement affect developing countries? Through Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), developing and least developed countries get longer transition periods, policy space, flexibility, and support via the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism (Fish Fund).
5. What is the WTO Fish Fund? The Fish Fund provides technical assistance and capacity-building to help developing and least developed countries implement the agreement. Seventeen WTO members have already pledged over USD 18 million.
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