WTO’s fisheries pact: India for 25 year transition period, stronger disciplines on distant-water industrial fishing

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 X@PiyushGoyal via ANI Photo

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, successful a gathering with the Ministers and Ambassadors of the Africa Group members connected the sidelines of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), successful Yaoundé connected March 29, 2026. Photo: X@PiyushGoyal via ANI Photo

India has called for a 25-year modulation play for processing countries, stronger disciplines connected distant-water concern sportfishing fleets, and a imperishable carve-out for small-scale and artisanal fishers nether the 2nd signifier of the fisheries subsidies agreement, being negotiated among WTO members.

The Commerce Ministry connected Sunday (March 29) said that fisheries subsidies were 1 of the cardinal docket items discussed by commercialized Ministers astatine the World Trade Organisation’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) held from March 26–29 successful Yaounde, Cameroon.

The Indian delegation, led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, actively contributed to shaping the Ministerial Decision that sets retired the aboriginal people of Phase II negotiations connected fisheries subsidies relating to overcapacity and overfishing.

“Consistent with these principles, India highlighted cardinal priorities specified arsenic a 25-year modulation play for processing countries, stronger disciplines connected distant-water concern sportfishing fleets, a imperishable carve-out for small-scale and artisanal fishers, and subsidy disciplines based connected per capita intensity, thereby broadening the scope of Phase II discussions,” it said.

Mr. Goyal said that the fisheries assemblage plays a cardinal relation successful securing India’s nutrient information and ensuring livelihood, supporting much than 9 cardinal fisher families, mostly comprising small, traditional, and artisanal fishermen practising sustainable methods.

He besides highlighted that India is not a heavy industrialised sportfishing federation and does not person large-scale, distant-water fleets oregon heavy mechanised operations.

Further, India’s fisheries subsidies are among the lowest successful the world—barely astir $15 per fisher household annually—compared to tens of thousands elsewhere, it said.

“India made a beardown lawsuit successful the WTO forum for ensuring that emerging decisions stay just and bash not disproportionately interaction susceptible communities,” it said.

Published - March 30, 2026 01:53 americium IST

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