The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade organised a webinar on 21 September 2026 to examine the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) and its implementation in India and globally. The event came after India formally ratified the Agreement on 20 July 2026, and coincided with WTO Fish Week. International trade experts, fisheries specialists and policymakers discussed how countries can meet their obligations under the pact and what remains to be negotiated.
Key facts
- Webinar date: 21 September 2026
- India’s ratification date: 20 July 2026
- WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies adopted at: WTO Ministerial Conference in 2022
- Panel chair: Prof. James J. Nedumpara, Professor and Head, CTIL
- Expert panellists: Alice Tipping (IISD Geneva), Tristan Irschlinger (IISD Geneva), Prof. Mukesh Bhatnagar (former CWTOS), Sebastian Mathew (Small-scale Fisheries Advisor)
What the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies covers
The Agreement, which came into force in 2022, restricts harmful government subsidies to fishing activities. It bans subsidies that directly or indirectly support illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, where vessels fish without proper authorisation or reporting. The pact also limits subsidies for fishing of overfished stocks, except where countries are actively rebuilding those stocks under defined conditions. Subsidies for fishing in unregulated high seas, where no regional fisheries body sets rules, are also prohibited.
Countries that accept the Agreement must create systems to monitor and report their fisheries subsidies transparently. They must also establish domestic rules and administrative structures to enforce the disciplines and meet notification deadlines set by the WTO.
Implementation challenges for member countries
The webinar highlighted several practical obstacles that countries face when putting the Agreement into effect. Reliable fisheries data is essential but often lacking in developing nations. Many countries lack robust systems to track which vessels are fishing, where, and what they catch. Monitoring and reporting systems require investment in technology and trained personnel. Different government agencies involved in fisheries, trade, environment and foreign affairs must coordinate effectively, which can be difficult in countries with weak institutional links.
The panellists stressed the need for continued technical assistance and capacity building for developing and least-developed countries. The WTO provides mechanisms to support these efforts, but more resources and expert help are needed to enable all members to comply with the Agreement.
Special support for small-scale and artisanal fisheries
A major focus of the discussions was protecting livelihoods in small-scale and artisanal fishing communities. The Agreement recognises that developing countries and poorest fishing communities depend on fisheries for food security and income. The Agreement provides special and differential treatment, meaning developing nations get additional time and flexibility to implement its rules. The webinar examined how India and other countries can balance their obligations under the Agreement with concerns about food security and the survival of traditional fishing practices.
What still needs to be negotiated
The Agreement is not final. WTO members are currently negotiating additional disciplines on overcapacity (too many vessels chasing too few fish) and overfishing (catching more than stocks can sustain). These further rules aim to address root causes of unsustainable fishing. The panellists discussed the negotiating history and how India might engage in these ongoing talks.
What this means for you
If you work in India’s fishing industry, your government will need to strengthen its data collection and reporting systems to comply with the Agreement. If you manage a fishing vessel or work in a government fisheries agency, you may face new licensing, registration and monitoring requirements. India’s ratification signals that the country takes global commitments to sustainable fishing seriously, which may eventually affect how subsidies are allocated within the sector. For students and researchers in trade law or fisheries policy, the field is becoming more complex and requires understanding of both WTO rules and environmental goals.
What happens next
India must now establish or strengthen the domestic legal and administrative framework to enforce the Agreement’s disciplines. This includes setting up notification systems, data collection mechanisms and inter-agency coordination structures. The WTO webinar series will continue discussions as member countries move forward with implementation and as negotiations on overcapacity and overfishing progress.