WTO ends harmful fishing subsidies

September 15, 2025

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has officially launched a groundbreaking agreement aimed at reducing billions of dollars in subsidies that fuel overfishing—a move widely praised by environmental groups as a turning point for global marine conservation.

First WTO agreement since 2017 takes effect

This milestone marks the first WTO agreement to come into force since 2017, following decades of stalled negotiations and political deadlock. The deal, initially reached in 2022, gained the required support on Monday after Brazil, Kenya, Tonga, and Vietnam ratified it, according to a WTO spokesperson.

Key provisions of the WTO fishing subsidies deal

Under the new rules, governments are prohibited from granting subsidies to fishing operations targeting overexploited fish stocks or operating in international waters beyond national jurisdiction. To support developing nations, the agreement also establishes a dedicated fund to help them adapt to the new restrictions.

Megan Jungwiwattanaporn of the Pew Charitable Trusts hailed the decision, stating that global “fish stocks will finally have a chance to recover, directly benefiting coastal communities and small-scale fishers who rely on healthy oceans.”

The Sscale of global fishing subsidies

According to a 2019 Marine Policy study, governments worldwide spend approximately $35.4 billion annually on fishing subsidies, including fuel incentives that enable fleets to operate in distant oceans. The top five subsidizers were identified as China, the European Union, the United States, South Korea, and Japan—though not all of these fall directly under the scope of the current WTO agreement.

Challenges Aahead in global fishing reforms

While the agreement is a significant breakthrough, negotiations on additional fishing rules remain unresolved. Countries such as India and other developing economies continue to push for exemptions, sparking debate among member states.

The current deal—over 20 years in the making—will automatically expire in four years unless more comprehensive rules are adopted. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recently expressed optimism that negotiations could either finalize broader commitments or extend the agreement to prevent its collapse.