Fisheries Subsidies Agreement Aims to Protect Stock Recovery
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies ratified by 112 countries. Agreement took effect on 2025-09-15. Focus on reducing subsidies for illegal fishing and overfished stocks. Excess fishing capacity subsidies still under negotiation. Global fisheries subsidies total $35.4 billion annually. $22 billion funds excess fleet capacity. Agreement aims to support developing countries and stock recovery. First phase won’t end harmful subsidies without broader rules. Deal expires in four years if broader rules aren’t finalized