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About us

The “Our World Is Not For Sale” (OWINFS) network is a loose grouping of organizations and social movements worldwide fighting the current model of corporate globalization embodied in global trading system. OWINFS is committed to a sustainable, socially just, democratic and accountable multilateral trading system.

Statement of political unity

WTO Turnaround statement

Fisheries negotiations at WTO

Negotiations on fisheries subsidies have a long history in the WTO, but were intensified following the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include a target on eliminating subsidies to Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and prohibiting certain subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing while recognizing appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries. Developed countries are pushing to ignore the second half of that mandate.

In June 2022, the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, an agreement that was intended to address the problematic aspects of subsidies to fishing.

While much fanfare was made about the outcome, there is little to suggest that the SDG mandate has been met, with those most responsible for overfishing being let off the hook of any meaningful commitments.

Negotiations for an expanded agreement are ongoing, but it remains to be seen whether the WTO Members will agree on an outcome that truly addresses the problems of overfishing and IUU fishing.

Statements and analysis from civil society

WTO Fish deal; failing to properly address overfishing to meet SDG Mandate. (1 Mar 2024)

Fisherfolk and civil society call for WTO fisheries subsidies talks to target the problem, not small-scale fishers. (27 February 2024)

Civil society open letter to ministers on WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations: English, Spanish, French. (Feb 2024)

Q & A: Small scale fishers, and subsidies for fishing capacity. (PANG, 21 February 2023)

Fishing subsidies negotiations towards MC13: Some key issues. (Ranja Sengupta, Third World Network, 20 February 2024)

Open Letter from Indonesian Fisherfolks Group on fisheries subsidies negotiations at the Ministerial Conference 13th of WTO. (23 February 2024)

Press release: Ahead of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference: Prohibition of fisheries subsidies at the WTO threatens the sustainability of small and traditional fisherfolks. (24 February 2024)

Comprehensive considerations and urgent plea for Indian small-scale fishers in WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations at MC13. (National Fishworkers’ Forum, 20 February 2024)

Civil Society Seminar on the eve of WTO MC13: WTO’s draft text will obstruct Bangladesh’s fisheries development. (18 February 2024)

Large-scale fleets should be target of fish subsidies talks, WTO hears. (PANG, 15 September 2023)

Q & A: Small Scale Fishers and the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. (PANG, June 2023)

Empty Harvest: A Briefing Paper on The World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. (PANG, February 2023)

What does the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement mean for sustainability and development? (PANG, 17 June 2022)

Indonesian Civil society group open letter regarding fisheries subsidy negotiations in WTO. (12 June 2022)

Special and Differential Treatment takes a beating in the new Draft Fisheries Text submitted to Ministers for WTO MC12. (Ranja Sengupta, TWN, 11 June 2022)

Letter to the Indian Government and Press Statement from National Platform for Small Scale Fish Workers (NPSSFW). (11 June 2022)

Letter from the National Fishworkers' Forum India to the Commerce Minister of India on the issue of the proposed WTO Agreement to discipline fisheries subsidies which is slated to be concluded at MC12. (9 June 2022)

Letter from over 80 national and global fisherfolk and development organizations in favor of a pro-development outcome on fishing subsidies at MC12: English, French. (1 June 2022)

Fisheries subsidies negotiations towards the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference: Considerations for developing countries and LDCs. (Ranja Sengupta, TWN, 27 May 2022)

Off the Hook: How the big subsidisers are avoiding responsibility in the WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations (19 April 2022)

PANG assessment of November Fisheries Chairs Text (276/Rev2). (18 November 2021)

Catching development – Acting together for sustainable fisheries trade. (Civil Society Event at the WTO Public Forum, 30 September 2021)

WTO Fisheries subsidies process changes to disadvantage developing countries. (23 September 2021)

Global talks on Fisheries subsidies must target big subsidisers not development. (13 July 2021)

PAYING THE PRICE: Small scale fishers and the world trade organization's negotiations on fisheries subsidies, Q&A. (23 June 2021)

PANG analysis of the May 2021 Chair's Draft Consolidated Text on Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations at the World Trade Organization. (15 June 2021)

Protecting the Problem – Fisheries subsidies negotiations and the WTO. (17 March 2021)

PANG analysis of the December 2020 Chair's Draft Consolidated Text on Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations at the World Trade Organization. (15 March 2021)

WTO Fisheries subsidy negotiations being used to undermine sovereignty and development. (7 October 2020)

Big impacts for small scale fishers: The World Trade Organization’s negotiations on fisheries subsidies and the need for the voice of small-scale fishers. (August 2020)

Call to Halt Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations in the Middle of the COVID 19 Crisis: English, Spanish, French. (1 April 2020)

Response from WTO DG Azevêdo. (6 April 2020)

Fisheries subsidies negotiations and development in the World Trade Organization. (2019)

Market access the true aim of WTO fisheries subsidies negotiations: English, Spanish. (2018)

Quote sheet and video: Civil Society Experts Outline What Is Needed to Protect the Development Mandate in Agriculture and Fisheries-Subsidies Negotiations in MC11: English, Spanish. (2017)

Analysis regarding fisheries subsidies negotiations: English: pdf, doc. French: pdf, doc. Spanish: pdf, doc. (2017)