Wed Nov 27 16:19:38 UTC 2024: ## Indian Experts Advocate for Differential Treatment in WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

**Kochi, India – November 27, 2024** – A panel of experts has urged for a differentiated approach towards developing nations in the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The call, made during a meeting in Kochi, highlights the need to protect the livelihoods of millions of small-scale fishermen, particularly in countries like India.

The meeting, organized by the Bay of Bengal Programme – Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) and several Indian research and export bodies, brought together fishery scientists, economists, and trade law experts. Participants emphasized the vast disparity between developed and developing nations in the fishing sector’s economic growth. Dr. Grinson George, Director of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), pointed out that developed countries historically used subsidies to build large industrial fleets, leading to environmental damage and unequal resource distribution. In contrast, India’s fishing industry is predominantly small-scale, crucial for food security and livelihoods.

Concerns were also raised regarding the scientific basis for identifying overfishing and illegal fishing practices within the WTO agreement. James J. Nedumpara of the Indian Institute for Foreign Trade highlighted the need for robust scientific backing in implementing the agreement and stressed the potential role of regional organizations like BOBP in capacity building and sustainability assessments.

The panel further noted that India’s fisheries subsidies are minimal compared to major fishing nations such as China. Scientists suggested assessing subsidies on a per capita basis rather than relying on annual aggregate figures. The discussion was attended by key figures including M. Karthikeyan, Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), and moderated by P. Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO. The experts’ recommendations will likely influence India’s negotiations within the WTO framework on this critical issue.

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