India Becomes a Party to the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies by Depositing its Instrument of Acceptance

Key Highlights:

• India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on July 20, 2026, becoming a party to the agreement.
• India is the 123rd WTO Member to accept this agreement, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable fisheries.
• The AFS, adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in June 2022, prohibits subsidies for Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and overfished stocks.
• The agreement entered into force on September 15, 2025, after acceptance by two-thirds of WTO Members.
• It focuses on marine wild capture fishing, excluding aquaculture and inland fisheries.

Detailed Insights:

• India's decision underscores its commitment to preserving marine resources for food security, livelihoods, and employment for coastal communities.
• The AFS is the first multilateral WTO agreement with an environmental sustainability objective, aiming to protect marine life.
• It safeguards the livelihoods of traditional and small-scale fishers by promoting sustainable practices and disciplining harmful subsidies to large industrial fleets.
• This benefits countries like India, where fisheries are predominantly small-scale and not major participants in industrial fishing.
• India's acceptance enhances its credibility as a responsible seafood exporter, supporting access to premium markets valuing sustainability.
• India's robust domestic framework, including the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules, 2025, and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), aligns with the agreement.

Key Concepts Involved:

• WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS): A multilateral agreement prohibiting subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal fishing, aiming for marine sustainability.
• Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing: Fishing activities conducted in contravention of national or international laws, or not reported to relevant authorities.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme launched by the Indian government to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.