World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies Enters into Force
While this marks a milestone, more action is needed to safeguard fish and the communities that depend on them before time runs out.
Press Release Date: September 15, 2025
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Contact:
Anna Baxter | email: abaxter@oceana.org
Anna Baxter
Today, the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies enters into force — a long-awaited step towards curbing the billions in public funds that fuel overfishing. These new international rules ban certain government subsidies that support harmful practices like illegal fishing, fishing in unregulated international waters, and the fishing of already overfished species.
“While this is a rare piece of good news in the fight against harmful subsidies, the WTO is just starting this race and the clock is ticking to cross the finish line,” said Dr. Daniel Skerritt, Senior Manager at Oceana.
The current agreement, known as Fish 1, will also require ratifying members to report on how subsidies are provided to their fleet and provide funding to developing and least developed countries to help them deliver on these commitments through the WTO Fish Fund.
“Without fish, it’s game over for the hundreds of millions of people who depend on the ocean,” said Professor Rashid Sumaila, Oceana Board Member and Director of the Fisheries Economics Research Unit at the University of British Columbia. “Fish 1 alone won’t stop the billions in subsidies that fuel overfishing and overcapacity. But it does create a foundation that must be built on further.”
In 2001, when negotiations began, fish populations were already in decline due to overfishing. Today, the situation is even more dire with 38% of global fish populations overfished; another 51% are fully exploited and cannot handle additional pressure. Fisheries subsidies exacerbate this problem by helping expand fleets and their capacity – such as by upgrading old vessels or building new ones – beyond what the fishery itself could sustain.
With Fish 1 in force, WTO members now have four years to agree on a second package of measures, known as Fish 2, to tackle overcapacity and overfishing. If they fail to reach consensus, the entire agreement, including Fish 1, will terminate. So far, members have been unable to finalize the specifics of Fish 2.
Skerritt added, “WTO members must build on this momentum – with urgency, transparency, and accountability – to deliver the comprehensive reforms our oceans desperately need. We’ve waited decades for this moment. Let’s keep on pushing.”
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Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 325 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
