India joins WTO pact on fisheries subsidies, promotes sustainable fisheries | Today’s news
India on Monday announced that it has joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS).
The formal acceptance was handed over by Rajesh Agrawal, India’s Trade Secretary, to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the WTO in Geneva.
The decision reaffirms India’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management while conserving marine resources as a source of food security, livelihoods and employment for coastal communities, a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.
India became the 123rd WTO member to formally accept the agreement.
The Pact focuses on subsidies related to wild marine fisheries and marine fisheries-related activities. Aquaculture and inland fishing remain outside its scope.
According to the ministry, joining the agreement enhances India’s credibility as a responsible seafood exporter and promotes better access to premium global markets that increasingly value sustainability and traceability.
Little fishermen
The agreement seeks to protect the livelihoods of traditional and small-scale fishers by promoting sustainable fishing.
It prohibits subsidies associated with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as fishing for overfished stocks, helping to reduce unsustainable fishing practices that threaten marine resources while protecting the long-term interests of traditional and small-scale fishing communities.
This framework is particularly beneficial for countries such as India, where fishing is predominantly small-scale and the country is not a major participant in industrial fisheries.
At the same time, the predominance of aquacultured shrimp in India’s seafood exports – which is not covered by the agreement – ensures the continued resilience and competitiveness of the country’s seafood export sector.
Global framework
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the first WTO multilateral agreement with the objective of environmental sustainability.
It was adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022. The agreement prohibits government support for illegal fishing activities and overexploitation of fish stocks, which contributes to the protection of marine ecosystems.
The agreement entered into force on 15 September 2025 after two-thirds of WTO members accepted it.
Home framework
India already has a robust fisheries management framework, strengthened through the Sustainable Exploitation of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules 2025 and the Guidelines for Sustainable Exploitation of High Seas Fisheries by Indian Flagged Fishing Vessels 2025.
“India’s acceptance of the agreement reflects its commitment to sustainable fisheries management and responsible management of marine resources. India’s domestic fisheries management framework is consistent with the agreement and protects the interests of traditional and small-scale fishers, while contributing to global efforts to promote sustainable fisheries. Above all, by becoming a party to this agreement, India has strengthened its unwavering trade commitment to the Department with an unwavering trade system. v statement.
