India's Stance on Fisheries Subsidies Finds Support among Developing Countries at WTO

India, along with 49 other developing and least developed countries, has found support on its stance to curb harmful fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The countries, including Tunisia, Senegal, Bangladesh, and Morocco, align with India's proposal to make subsidies on a per capita basis, rather than at the aggregate level of subsidization. This move aims to safeguard the livelihoods of small and artisanal fishers. India has requested a 25-year exemption from any subsidy cuts to protect its poor fishermen, while developed nations insist on a 5-7 year transition period.

Key Takeaways:

• 50 developing and least developed countries, including Tunisia, Senegal, Bangladesh, and Morocco, have aligned with India's stance on fisheries subsidies at the WTO.
• India wants fisheries subsidies to be on a per capita basis, based on the special and differential treatment (S&DT) principle, to safeguard the livelihoods of small and artisanal fishers.
• India is requesting a 25-year exemption from any subsidy cuts to protect its poor fishermen, while developed nations advocate for a 5-7 year transition period.
• The support for India's stance comes amid WTO members ratifying the first edition of the agreement on fisheries subsidies, which will come into force after 111 members ratify it.
• India has flagged the disparity between high fisheries subsidies provided by developed countries ($76,000 per fisher per year) and those given by India ($35 per fisher per year).

Statistics:

• 105 WTO members have ratified the first edition of the agreement on fisheries subsidies, which prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for fishing overfished stocks.
• 111 members are required to ratify the agreement for it to come into force.
• Developed countries provide fisheries subsidies worth approximately $76,000 per fisher per year.
• India provides $35 per fisher per year in fisheries subsidies.

Sources:

• Times of India
• World Trade Organization (WTO) - 105 WTO members ratify the first edition of the agreement on fisheries subsidies