On 20 July 2026, India deposited its Instrument of Acceptance for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS). This makes India the 123rd WTO member to become a party, signalling a firm commitment to sustainable marine resource management.
Key Developments
- Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal handed the instrument to the WTO Director‑General.
- The agreement targets subsidies linked to IUU fishing and over‑exploited stocks.
- Aquaculture and inland fisheries are explicitly excluded from the treaty’s scope.
- India’s existing framework – the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Rules 2025 and High‑Seas Guidelines – provides a strong base for implementation.
Important Facts
The agreement, adopted at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva (June 2022), entered into force on 15 September 2025 after two‑thirds of members accepted it. Its primary focus is on subsidies for marine wild‑capture fishing at sea; it does not cover aquaculture or inland fisheries.
By curbing harmful subsidies, the treaty protects the livelihoods of small‑scale fishers and levels the playing field against heavily subsidised distant‑water fleets.
India’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) continues to build capacity, while the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules 2025 and High‑Seas Guidelines 2025 strengthen regulatory oversight.
Exam Relevance
Understanding this development is crucial for GS‑3 (Economy & Environment) and GS‑2 (International Relations). It illust