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GFMM desk: At the World Trade Organization, concerns over the livelihoods, food security and development capability of fish people, more than 110 countries, including India, have created a strong barrier to developing countries to provide effective special provisions for harmful fishing.
In June this year steps were taken to reduce the harmful fisheries subsidy out of six bouts of fish subsidy negotiations held last week in the WTO to protect a global deal officials familiar with the development said.
They said, WTO members were discussing to remove subsidies for illegal, unplanned and uncontrolled (IUU) fishing and to finalize discipline to curb some of the fishery subsidies that contribute to overfishing and over-fishing. Discussions have been made regarding the draft text that has been raised in the case of the IUU and over-stocked stock. However, several approaches are being discussed, including additional fishing and the latest Canadian proposal. The US and Australia are also pushing for a proposal to cap subsidies.
“WTO members are grappling to find convergence to an agreed approach to address the issue of subsidies contributing to overfishing and overcapacity,” said an official aware of the details.
African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group), Sri Lanka and a group of developed nations (LDC) are supportive of Special and Differential Treatment (S & DT) and most members are supportive of S & DT in regional water up to 12 nautical miles.
"India reaffirmed its demand to exclude territorial waters from future branches, mainly because it is mostly small and efficient fishing and has the right to provide subsidies for high sea fishing," said a Geneva-based official.
Source: Online/SZK
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