The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Negotiating Group on Rules held a week-long cluster of meetings from 15 to 19 March. Members focused on provisions on subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity, the scope of new fisheries subsidies disciplines, and enhancing the transparency of fisheries subsidy programmes.

The WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference (MC11) and SDG target 14.6 give negotiators the task of securing an agreement on eliminating subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and to prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing by the end of 2020. In March 2020, the COVID-19 crisis resulted in the suspension of in-person meetings, and members used online meetings and written exchanges to continue negotiations. Despite their efforts and “almost daily” meetings in late November, WTO members were unable to finish negotiations by the 2020 deadline. At the 14 December informal meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee, WTO members committed to build on their progress and reach a resolution in 2021.

On provisions on subsidies that contribute to overfishing and overcapacity, members considered how to reflect sustainability in draft disciplines. They also discussed the kinds of information that members should notify on the operation of fisheries subsidies disciplines.

On the scope of new fisheries subsidies disciplines, members discussed whether and how to address subsidies to artisanal or low-income fishing, including based on geographical area and other characteristics.

At the close of the week, the chair of the negotiations, Ambassador Santiago Wills of Colombia, told heads of delegation that members had considered some new ideas and engaged with each other, but progress had been limited. A number of delegations said the week provided an improved understanding of varying views among members. Several members “echoed the chair’s assessment.”

Ambassador Wills said he would reflect on the March discussions, with a view on how to structure next steps. He said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is reflecting on how she can support the negotiations. The next cluster of fisheries subsidies meetings will convene the week of 12 April. [WTO Press Release] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on February Negotiations] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on January Negotiations]