India supports draft WTO fish declaration, says subsidised industrial fleets cause overfishing

New Delhi: India on Saturday supported the draft decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to continue negotiations to curb subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, with special and differential treatment an “integral part” of these talks. New Delhi underscored that the challenge of overcapacity and overfishing arises from heavily subsidised industrial fleets, and not from small-scale fishermen in India and other developing countries.

“Emphasised the need to ensure that emerging decisions remain fair and do not disproportionately impact vulnerable communities,” commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said in a post on X.

He said that further decisions must deliver an equitable and development-oriented outcome that protects both marine resources and livelihoods.


“Members agree to continue constructively in the negotiations, with a view to making recommendations to the Fifteenth WTO Ministerial Conference for provisions that would achieve the comprehensive disciplines on fisheries subsidies,” the WTO said in a draft declaration.

The draft is still under the responsibility of the chair and yet to be adopted by the members.

Goyal emphasised that fisheries in India are a vital source of livelihood and food security, supporting more than 9 million fishermen, largely comprising small, traditional, and artisanal fishermen practising sustainable methods.

“Highlighted India’s proactive and historical conservation efforts, including the annual fishing ban, demonstrating our long-standing commitment to sustainability well before it became a global priority,” he said, while emphasising that further decisions must deliver an equitable and development-oriented outcome that protects both marine resources and livelihoods.