Global talks on Fisheries subsidies must target big subsidisers not development

Civil society organisations from around the world are calling on trade ministers to ensure that negotiations on fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO) don’t undermine development aspirations of small-scale fishing communities and developing countries – but target those most historically responsible for the state of global overfishing.

“The current text of the negotiations is providing permanent loopholes for the big subsidisers while cutting off the ability of developing countries to develop domestic fishing industries to fish their own waters,” said Adam Wolfenden, Campaigner for the Pacific Network on Globalisation.

“The talks need to be targeting the big subsidisers instead of the ability of countries to develop their own fisheries.” On July 15, WTO trade ministers will meet Read more