Fisheries Subsidies and WTO Rules

India is actively working on regulating fisheries subsidies to promote sustainable fishing and protect the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. With the World Trade Organization (WTO) adopting the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies, India’s initiatives in this sector have become a significant example of international regulations on fishing subsidies and fisheries subsidy reform.

What are Fisheries Subsidies?

Fisheries subsidies are financial support provided by governments to the fishing sector. These include fishing subsidies, marine subsidies, and aquaculture subsidies, aimed at increasing fish production, improving infrastructure, or supporting fishers. While subsidies can promote growth, harmful fisheries subsidies often lead to overfishing, overcapacity, and depletion of marine resources.

Key Objectives of Regulating Fisheries Subsidies

1. Prevent Overfishing: Eliminate subsidies that contribute to overfishing, ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

2. Protect Small Fishers: Design subsidies for small fishers to support livelihoods without encouraging environmental harm.

3. Promote Sustainable Practices: Encourage sustainable fisheries support and responsible aquaculture practices.

4. Ensure Fair Trade: Align with WTO subsidy regulations to maintain a level playing field in global fisheries markets.

WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

The WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies, adopted in 2022 and effective from September 2025, is the first multilateral treaty addressing international trade law for fisheries. Its purpose is to:

• Prohibit subsidies that encourage illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

• Support nations in implementing special and differential treatment in fisheries subsidies, particularly for developing countries.

• Promote transparency and monitoring of all government fisheries funding and fishery support measures.

India’s active participation in this agreement ensures that the country’s approach to fisheries subsidies aligns with global standards.

India’s Stance on Fisheries Subsidies

India emphasizes protecting small-scale and artisanal fishers while promoting sustainable fishing. Key aspects include:

• Policy Space for Small Fishers: India advocates for exemptions and longer transition periods for developing countries under special and differential treatment in fisheries subsidies.

• Per Capita Subsidy Basis: India suggests calculating fisheries subsidies per fisher rather than total subsidy amounts to prevent inequities.

• Sustainability Focus: Rules should favor countries working toward sustainable fisheries support, avoiding penalties for responsible practices.

• Targeting Historical Subsidizers: Stricter regulations should apply to countries with high historical subsidies contributing to harmful fisheries subsidies.

India’s Initiatives Promoting Sustainable Fisheries

India has implemented several programs to promote sustainable fishing and responsible use of fisheries subsidies:

1. Blue Revolution Scheme (2015-16): Enhances fish production through marine and inland aquaculture.

2. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY, 2020): Focuses on increasing productivity, creating jobs, and supporting subsidies for small fishers.

3. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF, 2018-19): Provides financial support for aquaculture and marine fisheries infrastructure development.

4. National Policy on Marine Fisheries (NPMF, 2017): Promotes sustainable management of marine resources and marine subsidies.

5. State-specific Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRA): Enforce sustainable fishing practices and ban destructive methods in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

6. ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE): Offers research and training on responsible aquaculture and fisheries management.

By combining these initiatives with regulatory compliance, India ensures that fisheries subsidies support both small-scale fishers and sustainable fishing practices.

Impact of Fisheries Subsidy Reform

Effective fisheries subsidy reform ensures:

• Reduction in overfishing subsidies that harm marine biodiversity.

• Increased efficiency of government fisheries funding and fishery support programs.

• Promotion of subsidies to promote sustainable fishing practices benefiting small-scale fishers.

• Compliance with international regulations on fishing subsidies under the WTO subsidies agreements.

Key Takeaways for SSC Aspirants

• Focus Keyword: Fisheries subsidies

• India’s approach to fisheries subsidies reflects its commitment to sustainable fishing and global compliance.

• Understanding India’s stance, initiatives, and the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies is crucial for current affairs preparation.

• Topics like financial support for aquaculture and marine fisheries, harmful fisheries subsidies, and protecting small-scale fishers through subsidies are highly relevant for SSC exams.

By studying fisheries subsidies, SSC aspirants can strengthen their knowledge of international trade law, environmental policies, and India’s initiatives in marine conservation.

Final Thoughts

Fisheries subsidies are financial supports provided by governments to the fishing sector, including subsidies for fishing, marine activities, and aquaculture. While they help increase production and support fishers, harmful fisheries subsidies can lead to overfishing and threaten marine biodiversity. The WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies aims to regulate these payments, promote sustainable fishing, and ensure fair trade in global fisheries.

India’s approach focuses on protecting small-scale fishers and implementing subsidies for small fishers responsibly, while promoting sustainable fisheries support. Initiatives like the Blue Revolution Scheme and PMMSY give financial support to aquaculture and marine fisheries and improve productivity.

By aligning domestic policies with international regulations on fishing subsidies, India ensures that fisheries subsidies contribute to environmental sustainability and equitable livelihoods.