The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies entered into force on 15 September. This marks only the second multilateral agreement achieved in the WTO’s three decades of history, and the first devoted to global fisheries governance.   

The Agreement prohibits subsidies for vessels or operators engaged in or supporting illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing; subsidies for fishing targeting overexploited stocks; and subsidies for fishing and related activities conducted in areas beyond the jurisdiction of coastal states or regional fisheries management organizations. It further requires members to exercise “special care” and “due restraint” when granting subsidies to vessels not flying their flag or to activities involving fish stocks of unknown status. In addition, members must submit regular notifications to the WTO and, to the fullest extent possible, provide information on fisheries subsidies, lists of IUU vessels and operators, and relevant fisheries legislation and policies. 

The Agreement was concluded after 21 years of negotiations — the longest negotiation in WTO history — and was adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference on 17 June 2022. China actively participated throughout the negotiations, advocating for fair, equitable and balanced subsidy disciplines. On 27 June 2023, China deposited its instrument of acceptance with the WTO. The entry into force of the Agreement underscores China’s firm commitment, as a major fisheries nation, to conserving and sustainably utilizing fisheries resources while resolutely combating illegal fishing.