WTO’s fisheries pact: India for 25 year transition period, stronger disciplines on distant-water industrial fishing

India has called for a 25-year transition period for developing countries, stronger disciplines on distant-water industrial fishing fleets, and a permanent carve-out for small-scale and artisanal fishers under the second phase of the fisheries subsidies agreement, being negotiated among WTO members.

The Commerce Ministry on Sunday (March 29) said that fisheries subsidies were one of the key agenda items discussed by trade Ministers at the World Trade Organisation’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) held from March 26–29 in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The Indian delegation, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, actively contributed to shaping the Ministerial Decision that sets out the future course of Phase II negotiations on fisheries subsidies relating to overcapacity and overfishing.

“Consistent with these principles, India highlighted key priorities such as a 25-year transition period for developing countries, stronger disciplines on distant-water industrial fishing fleets, a permanent carve-out for small-scale and artisanal fishers, and subsidy disciplines based on per capita intensity, thereby broadening the scope of Phase II discussions,” it said.

Mr. Goyal said that the fisheries sector plays a key role in securing India’s food security and ensuring livelihood, supporting more than 9 million fisher families, largely comprising small, traditional, and artisanal fishermen practising sustainable methods.

He also highlighted that India is not a heavily industrialised fishing nation and does not have large-scale, distant-water fleets or heavily mechanised operations.

Further, India’s fisheries subsidies are among the lowest in the world—barely about $15 per fisher family annually—compared to tens of thousands elsewhere, it said.

“India made a strong case in the WTO forum for ensuring that emerging decisions remain fair and do not disproportionately impact vulnerable communities,” it said.