News

Category — GS Paper 2 ///Published — 2026-07-21 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — International Relations, Environment, Trade ///Category — GS Paper 2 ///Published — 2026-07-21 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — International Relations, Environment, Trade ///

News · GS Paper 2

India Joins WTO's Landmark Fisheries Subsidies Pact

India has become the 123rd member of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS), marking a significant step in global marine conservation efforts. Adopted at MC12 in Geneva (June 2022) and entering into force on 15 September 2025, this is the first multilateral WTO agreement centered on environmental sustainability objectives. The pact addresses overfishing by banning subsidies linked to Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfished stocks.

2026-07-21

Published

—

Source

Quiz Questions

Article

Key Facts

India's Membership: India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance, becoming the 123rd member of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS)
Adoption: Agreement adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva
Date of Adoption: June 2022
Entry into Force: 15 September 2025 (after acceptance by two-thirds of WTO Members)
Significance: First multilateral WTO agreement focused on environmental sustainability

Scope and Exclusions

Applies to: Marine wild capture fishing and fishing-related activities at sea
Excluded: Aquaculture and inland fisheries are completely outside the Agreement's scope

Key Provisions Targeting Harmful Subsidies

Bans government subsidies linked to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing
Prohibits subsidies for fishing of overfished stocks
Addresses global overexploitation driven by large industrial fleets

Global Fisheries Crisis Data

37.7% of global marine stocks are currently overfished (compared to just 10% in 1974)
USD 35 billion per year in global government funding accelerates marine depletion
Much of this funding fuels unsustainable capacity among large industrial fleets

Benefits for India

Protecting Small-Scale Fishers

Creates a level playing field by curbing aggressive over-subsidization of industrial fleets
Protects livelihoods, employment, and food security of India's traditional and small-scale coastal fishing communities
Shields distant-water fishing nations' industrial operations from unfair competition

Seafood Export Resilience

Aquaculture exclusion ensures India's major seafood export pillar—aquaculture-based shrimp—remains unaffected
Enhances India's credibility in sustainability-sensitive global markets

India's Domestic Alignment

India has developed robust institutional frameworks aligned with the Agreement:

Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025
Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the High Seas by Indian-Flagged Fishing Vessels, 2025
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) - Capacity-building and welfare schemes

Constitutional and Policy Context

Article 51A (Fundamental Duties) - Protection of environment
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 14 - Life Below Water)
Blue Economy initiatives
Maritime fishing policy alignment with international standards