Overfishing negatively impacts sustainable fisheries, livelihood and world fish stocks. These unsustainable practices threaten local biodiversity and food security in many places around the world. Discover what organizations in Geneva and beyond are doing to address the issue at the global level.
The Overfishing Crisis
More than 820 million people depend on fisheries and aquaculture for food, nutrition, and income (FAO, n.d.). But the ability of our fisheries to provide jobs and nutrition is being threatened by an unprecedented crisis of overfishing and improper resource management. Nearly 90% of global marine fish stocks are fully exploited, overexploited, or depleted (FAO, 2018). Overfishing is closely tied to bycatch — the capture of unwanted sea life while fishing for a different species — which is also serious marine threat.
Some forms of fisheries subsidies contribute to this detrimental impact. Fishing subsidies are estimated to be as high as $35 billion worldwide, of which $22 billion directly contributes to overfishing (Sumaila et al., 2019). Subsidies also foster inequality, as they disproportionately fund big business rather than small-scale and artisanal fisheries. Regulating these harmful subsidies can therefore assist in reducing unfair competition in accessing fisheries resources at sea, whilst at the same time seeking to safeguard fisheries resources, livelihoods and ecosys​tems.
- Overfishing | WWF
- What is a fisheries subsidy? | FAO
- Responsible fishing | Oceana
- Overfishing is a social injustice. To end it, we need to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies. | Peter Thomson (UN Special Envoy for the Ocean) | 21 November 2020
- Fisheries Subsidies Video Series | IISD | 27 May 2020
- Unsustainable fishing and hunting for bushmeat driving iconic species to extinction – IUCN Red List | IUCN | 18 July 2019
- 90% of fish stocks are used up – fisheries subsidies must stop emptying the ocean | Mukhisa Kituyi (UNCTAD Secretary-General) & Peter Thomson (UN Special Envoy for the Ocean) | 13 July 2018
- The state of world fisheries and aquaculture | FAO | 2018
- Regulating fisheries subsidies must be an integral part of the implementation of the 2030 sustainable development agenda | UNCTAD, FAO & UNEP | July 2016
- Reforming fisheries subsidies | WWF | November 2011
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International Cooperation to Address Overfishing
Through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), governments around the world have agreed that conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources is essential for sustainable development. In particular, target 14.6 acknowledges the detrimental effect of harmful subsidies and the need to eliminate them to achieve a sustainable blue economy.
Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Target 14.6. By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
At the Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001, negotiations on fisheries subsidies at the WTO were launched with a mandate to clarify and improve existing WTO rules. The adoption of the SDGs in 2015 and of a negotiating mandate in 2017 gave renewed urgency to the discussions, and left the WTO with the task of securing an agreement by 2020 on disciplines to eliminate subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and to prohibit subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, with special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries.
Despite ongoing discussion for nearly twenty years, leaders have yet to reach an agreement. The upcoming 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) from 30 November to 3 December 2021 in Geneva (originally scheduled for June 2020 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan) is the opportunity to conclude these negotiations and achieve positive outcomes for SDG 14.6 .
“Concluding these negotiations is a top priority for this organization, not only for the fisheries, but also for the WTO system. We simply cannot afford to fail here.”
DG Okonjo-Iweala, WTO, 12 April 2021
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The resources below provides further information on the ongoing efforts to address overfishing at the global level.
- Negotiations on fisheries subsidies | WTO
- Factsheet: Negotiations on fisheries subsidies | WTO
- Regulating Fisheries Subsidies | UNCTAD
- Stop funding overfishing | IISD
- Fisheries Subsidies | The South Centre
- FAO activities in relation to CITES and commercially exploited aquatic species | FAO
- Chair introduces revised fishing subsidies text to facilitate 15 July ministerial meeting| WTO | 30 June 2021
- Sustainable Fisheries Versus Harmful Subsidies: Let’s End the War of Attrition| Rémy Parmentier | SDG Knowledge Hub Guest Article | 14 June 2021
- WTO DG fixes July ministerial meeting on over-fishing rules | Reuters | 10 May 2021
- Ministerial meeting eyed for July as fisheries subsidies negotiations enter final phase | WTO | 21 April 2021
- Negotiating Group on Rules — fisheries subsidies: Informal open-ended meeting at heads of delegation level | Remarks by DG Okonjo-Iweala | WTO | 21 April 2021
- DG calls on WTO members to narrow remaining gaps in fisheries subsidies negotiations | WTO | 12 April 2021
- WTO deal is within reach to remove harmful fishing subsidies and halt global fish meltdown | Gemma Parkes | World Economic Forum | 9 March 2021
- WTO negotiations on fisheries: “fundamental differences” remain | IISD | 1 March 2021
- WTO Members resume negotiations on fisheries subsidies | IISD | 1 February 2021
- Missed deadline to end harmful subsidies will drive more overfishing: leaders must urgently push for action early in 2021, says UN Ocean Envoy | Friends of Ocean Action | 14 December 2020
- Analysis of the overcapacity and overfishing pillar of the WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations | Peter Lunenborg | South Centre | November 2020
- How to craft a strong WTO deal on fishing subsidies | UNCTAD | 19 November 2020
- Potential Implementation Steps of a WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies | IISD | April 2020
- IUCN adds its voice to 108 organisations around the Globe urging end to harmful fisheries subsidies | IUCN | 2 March 2020
- WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations – down but not out | UNCTAD | 17 July 2018
- Marine fisheries and CITES: Breaking the cycle of overexploitation | ICTSD | 22 March 2010
The role of Geneva
Various Geneva-based organizations or secretariats – listed below in alphabetical order – work actively to address overfishing and promote a sustainable blue economy. UN system’s engagement with the issue also goes beyond Geneva, with organizations around the world involved, such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
CITES ensures that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants – including some listed commercially exploited aquatic species – does not threaten their survival.
Food and Agriculture Organization Liaison Office in Geneva
The FAO Fisheries Division works to strengthen global governance and the managerial and technical capacities of members and to lead consensus-building towards improved conservation and utilization of aquatic resources.
International Institute for Sustainable Development
The IISD supports the current WTO negotiations to end harmful fisheries subsidies, recognizing the need to restore the sustainability of fish stocks while supporting livelihoods and food security.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
IUCN engage in advocating international agreements and influencing policy for a sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture worldwide.
Oceana
Oceana works to reduce overfishing by advocating for science-based catch limits, reducing harmful fishing subsidies and stopping illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The South Centre
The South Centre produces research and support developing countries to promote their interests in international negotiations, including those on fisheries subsidies at the WTO.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNCTAD supports developing countries and promotes sustainability, notably with regards to oceans economy. In collaboration with FAO and UNEP, UNCTAD developed a roadmap to end harmful fisheries subsidies.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
In order to support global efforts to tackle overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, UNECE promotes and facilitates the implementation of sustainable fisheries standards on a global scale.
UNEP Environment and Trade Hub
UNEP Environment and Trade Hub in Geneva engages in global policy reform surrounding harmful fisheries subsidies.
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, convenes the Friends of Ocean Action, a coalition of leaders working together to protect the seas.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
As the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations, WTO is the stage of the negotiations on fisheries subsidies.
WWF International
As an independent conservation organization active in nearly 100 countries, WWF works to promote sustainable fishing practices for the benefit of nature and people.
This resource was originally shared by Geneva Environment Network.
