A panel of experts has called for differentiated treatment for developing nations under the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, stressing the importance of safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of small-scale fishers. The meeting, held on Tuesday, was organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme – Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) in collaboration with ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), and other stakeholders.
Highlighting disparities in global fisheries, CMFRI Director Grinson George pointed out that subsidies historically enabled developed nations to establish large industrial fishing fleets, which caused environmental degradation and inequities in resource distribution. “India’s fish catch is predominantly small-scale, making fisheries a vital issue of food security and livelihood,” he said.
James J. Nedumpara, from the Centre for Trade and Investment Law at the Indian Institute for Foreign Trade, raised concerns about aspects of the WTO agreement, particularly its reliance on identifying overfishing, overfished stocks, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. “Scientific evidence is essential for accurate identification, and regional fisheries management organisations like BOBP can play a critical role in capacity building and sustainability assessments,” he added.
The panel also noted that India’s subsidies are minimal compared to leading fishing nations such as China. The scientists advocated for evaluating subsidies on a per capita basis instead of an annual aggregate, which they argued would provide a more equitable perspective for developing nations.
BOBP-IGO Director P. Krishnan moderated the discussion, while MPEDA Director M. Karthikeyan and other eminent scientists, economists, and legal experts participated. The panel’s recommendations are expected to strengthen India’s position in ongoing WTO negotiations and ensure that the unique challenges of small-scale fisheries in developing countries are addressed.
