India became a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by depositing its Instrument of Acceptance

India became a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by depositing its Instrument of Acceptance

¨     India became a party to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by depositing its Instrument of Acceptance on 20 July 2026.

¨     India became the 123rd WTO member to deposit the Instrument of Acceptance.

¨     The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2022.

¨     The agreement applies to marine wild capture fishing and related activities.

¨     It does not cover aquaculture and inland fisheries.

¨     The agreement prohibits subsidies that support Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

¨     It also aims to curb subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity in marine fisheries.

¨     The agreement includes disciplines on government support provided to vessels and operators engaged in harmful fishing practices.

¨     India had earlier withheld ratification of Phase I while Phase II negotiations were continuing.

¨     In the Phase II negotiations, India has demanded a 25-year transition period for developing countries.

¨     India has also called for stronger disciplines on distant-water industrial fishing fleets.

¨     India has sought a permanent carve-out for small-scale and artisanal fishers.