India’s Position:
Advocates for stricter regulations on fisheries subsidies to curb overfishing while ensuring the livelihoods of small-scale fishers in developing countries are protected.
Global Efforts:
Active participation in WTO negotiations to foster international cooperation for sustainable fishing practices.
Key Issues
Overfishing and Marine Ecosystems: Overfishing threatens marine biodiversity and global fishery resources; India stresses sustainable practices.
- Subsidy Disparities: Stark differences in per capita subsidies (India: $35 per fisher; European countries: up to $76,000 per fisher) highlight global inequality.
- Livelihood Protection: Need for subsidy rules that do not disproportionately impact developing nations reliant on fishing.
Policy and Proposals
Moratorium on Subsidies: India proposes a 25-year freeze on high-seas fishing subsidies to prevent overcapacity and resource depletion.
- Approval Mechanisms: India suggests historical subsidisers should seek approval before granting future subsidies.
- Per Capita Distribution Criteria: Advocates for intensity-based approaches under the WTO framework for fair subsidy distribution
Institutional Collaboration
- WTO Framework: Engagement in WTO discussions through the General Council and Negotiating Group on Rules (Fisheries Subsidies).
- International Agreements: Collaboration with bodies like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) for coordinated marine resource conservation.
- Capacity Building: Support for programs aiding developing nations in adopting better fisheries management systems and fostering technology sharing.
Challenges
- -Consensus Issues: WTO discussions on disciplining subsidies leading to overfishing face hurdles due to lack of agreement among member states.
- -Sustainability vs. Fairness: Balancing environmental sustainability with economic fairness for developing countries remains a significant challenge.