Image Courtesy: FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed the entry into force of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, calling it a landmark step toward phasing out harmful subsidies and safeguarding marine resources for future generations.

“This agreement is very positive for the sustainability of fisheries resources, which we all depend on,” said Manuel Barange, FAO Assistant Director-General and head of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division. “FAO looks forward to helping implement the agreement and achieve its potential. Fisheries provide food, improve nutrition, and support livelihoods, and the world cannot afford to subsidize practices that compromise the long-term benefits of the sector.”

The agreement prohibits subsidies that contribute to illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, impact overfished stocks, or are associated with fishing in the high seas where resources are not under the management of regional fisheries bodies. These measures mark a critical turning point in global efforts to rebuild overexploited fisheries and restore ocean health.

FAO has been actively engaged in supporting WTO members with technical guidance and will work closely with the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism, which will provide targeted assistance and capacity development for developing and least-developed countries. This partnership is expected to help governments design and enforce policies that align fishing incentives with long-term sustainability goals.

Combating IUU fishing remains a central challenge, with billions of dollars in natural resources lost annually and fishery stock recovery jeopardized. FAO pointed to its own Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA)—the first binding international treaty specifically targeting IUU fishing—as a complementary instrument. Since entering into force in 2016, the PSMA has garnered 84 parties, including the European Union on behalf of its 27 members, and is credited with significantly strengthening global monitoring and enforcement efforts.

According to Barange, the WTO Agreement will also catalyze a new wave of collaboration among regional fisheries management organizations. “Enhanced cooperation at the regional level is essential if we are to realize the full impact of this agreement on the sustainable exploitation of shared resources,” he noted.

With this agreement now in force, FAO sees a unique opportunity to accelerate global momentum toward healthier oceans, fairer trade, and resilient coastal economies—ensuring that the fisheries sector continues to deliver food, jobs, and economic security without depleting the natural capital on which it depends.