Iceland's Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson has shared a new document aimed at reducing subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. The draft text, guided by member proposals and discussions, may serve as a reference for the fisheries subsidies negotiations committee in their deliberations next month.
The draft text touches on several key areas including subsidies contingent on fishing or fishing-related activities, special and differential treatment provisions, and an open section with placeholders for future discussions. According to the news release announcing the draft document, members would be categorised into three groups: the 20 largest providers of subsidies based on member notifications; members exempted from core prohibition on subsidies – least developed country members and developing members with a global share of marine catch below 0.8 percent; and members that do not fall into either of the two aforementioned categories.
Gunnarsson commented on the significance of this stage in the negotiations process. "We stand at a critical juncture for successfully concluding the second wave of negotiations on fisheries subsidies. It is my hope that this new draft of the disciplines on subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing, which draws on members' tireless work these past months, will help them to bridge the remaining divides in their positions as we begin our final push to conclude the negotiations in time for MC13," he said. He further noted that work would resume immediately after holidays with a 'fish month' of continuous negotiations leading up to mid-February when texts for MC13 need to be ready.
Following Fish Week in December, WTO members reaffirmed their commitment to fisheries subsidies negotiations but acknowledged they had not reached an agreement on additional subsidies disciplines beyond what was adopted at Ministerial Conference 12 in June 2022. The objective is to conclude negotiations at Ministerial Conference 13, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from Feb. 26-29, 2024.
During Fish Week discussions, WTO Director General Okonjo-Iweala expressed optimism about the progress made. She said, "The atmosphere and the tone and the expression by several of you that in spite of the difficulties, we still have hope, I found that very constructive. What has also been interesting to me are suggestions on bridging proposals that could possibly bring some of those positions closer. That is hopeful and helpful."