Fisheries Subsidies

IISD's work on fisheries, trade and sustainable development contributes to crafting multilateral and regional trade rules and policies that support sustainable fishing. We are focused on supporting the current World Trade Organization negotiations to end harmful fisheries subsidies by 2020, recognizing the need to restore the sustainability of fish stocks while supporting livelihoods and food security, particularly in developing countries.

Reports: Stock Take of APEC Economies’ Existing Measures on Withdrawal of Subsidies in Cases Where There Has Been a Determination of IUU Fishing

This report provides an overview of APEC economies’ existing measures on withdrawal of subsidies in cases of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, drawing on the voluntary responses and input of member economies.

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News: Webinar: Fisheries Subsidies: How can leaders use the trade system to deliver for people and planet?

July 23, 2020

On July 8, 2020, IISD hosted a webinar on the state of play and future prospects of WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations.

Policy Briefs: WTO Negotiations on Fisheries Subsidies: What's the state of play?

With only a few months left to conclude WTO talks on fisheries subsidies, this update provides an overview of the draft consolidated text circulated by the Chair of negotiations on June 25, 2020. It highlights the key decisions WTO Members will need to make to reach an agreement.

Policy Briefs: Determining the Status of Fish Stocks in Data-Poor Environments and Multispecies Fisheries

Some of the possible new World Trade Organization rules on fisheries subsidies could apply only when fish stocks are overfished or fishing is unsustainable. How can this be assessed in the context of data-poor and multispecies fisheries?

Videos: Fisheries Subsidies Video Series

As part of its work to support a meaningful WTO agreement to discipline harmful fisheries subsidies, the IISD has produced a series of six videos to summarize the key issues to be resolved across the WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations.

Blog: How Can We Support Fisheries During the Pandemic?

May 20, 2020 | Alice Tipping , Tristan Irschlinger

We must aim to support businesses, incomes, and food security while creating a more sustainable future for fisheries.

News: Fisheries negotiations slow down due to COVID-19; WTO members still committed to finalizing the deal by the end of 2020

April 16, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced negotiations on fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO) onto a slow track, but negotiators are continuing to work to meet the 2020 deadline for a deal set by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 14.6.

Reports: Reflections on the WTO Negotiations on IUU Fishing Subsidies

This policy brief discusses some of the legal issues that have emerged in the negotiation of a new rule on subsidies to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the context of the World Trade Organization negotiations on fisheries subsidies.

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