Oceana claims the WTO is playing politics with the lives of millions of people whose livelihoods and food security depend on healthy fish populations.
WASHINGTON, March 1, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This week at the World Trade Organization (WTO) 13th At a ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, ministers were unable to finalize additional clauses to the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement that could curb harmful fishing subsidies that lead to overfishing. This setback means that the WTO has failed for two decades to ban harmful subsidies, a commitment first made at the Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001.
Dr. Daniel Skerritt, Senior Analyst at Oceana, said: It is a devastating blow to global marine biodiversity. Our government is unable to look beyond its own short-term self-interest and prioritizes political posturing over reaching agreements that benefit everyone. The lives of millions of people who depend on healthy fish populations for their livelihoods and food security are at risk as the WTO continues to ban subsidy-driven overproduction and overfishing. . ”
Harmful fishing subsidies from the world’s largest fishing nations disproportionately impact vulnerable developing countries that rely on fish for food security and livelihoods, according to research supported by Oceana. The draft agreement included measures that could help correct this global imbalance. Without them, these practices will continue.
Dr Rashid Sumaila, a member of Oceana’s board of directors and a leading expert on seafood economics, said: If there are no fish, the game is over. Given the tremendous effort by so many people since 2001, the WTO’s failure to take effective action this week to eliminate overfishing subsidies is a sign of the WTO’s ability to address these subsidies in the first place. It is doubtful whether there is. ”
Oceana is calling on member states to at least shift their focus to ratifying, and then strengthening, an initial agreement banning illegal fishing and subsidies for depleted fish stocks. To date, 70 Member States have accepted the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, leaving 40 acceptances remaining before the Agreement enters into force.
Once ratified, the agreement’s sunset clause, which mandates termination if comprehensive discipline is not established within four years, will take effect. This provision is not just a safeguard against the eternal failure of WTO negotiations. It’s a clear deadline and injects much-needed urgency into the process.
“This mechanism offers a glimmer of hope, provides a concrete timeline to end a two-decade impasse, and forces the WTO to demonstrate its commitment to global sustainability. It is up to member states to ratify and implement the treaty. The world is watching,” Skerritt added.
About Oceana:
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to marine conservation. Oceana is rebuilding rich, biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control a quarter of the world’s wild fish catches. Oceana’s campaigns have achieved results with more than 300 victories to stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of endangered species such as turtles, whales and sharks. As our oceans heal, one billion people will be able to enjoy healthy seafood meals every day, forever. Together, we can save our oceans and feed the world. Visit Oceana.org for more information.
contact: Anna Baxter [email protected]
