No consensus on fish subsidies at WTO talks
India has been seeking appropriate and effective special and differential treatment (S&DT) for its small scale fishermen and to keep the policy space for development of its fisheries sector.
“There is no consensus in fishing especially deep sea fishing. They are attaching conditions with S&DT,” said an official.
There are two S&DT elements of interest for India in the proposed text on prohibition of subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. First, is a transition period which can be in the range of 7-25 years, that will give India enough time to develop its fisheries by giving support to the fisheries sector through vessels purchase or modernization, fuel taxes rebate, development of fisheries infrastructure, subsidies for fishing gear, nets, insulation, freezing facilities, and insurance.
The second S&DT element of interest to India is complete exemption for small scale and artisanal fishing of low income, resource poor or livelihood nature when conducted in either 12 or 200 nautical miles from the baseline or shore. Though small and artisanal fishermen fish in the territorial sea up to 12 nautical miles, they have to venture out into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that spans up to 200 nautical miles.
India and developing countries, having predominantly small scale fisheries, will benefit from a complete exemption from prohibition if this geographic area up to 200 nautical miles (EEZ) could be agreed in the final outcome.
However, developed countries are proposing that when a country
