Antigua and Barbuda has formally joined a growing number of countries taking action to protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable fishing practices. On 3 April, the country’s WTO Ambassador, Colin Murdoch, submitted its instrument of acceptance for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This made the Caribbean nation the 95th WTO member to do so.
The agreement, adopted during the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022, is aimed at addressing harmful subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also seeks to curb financial support that encourages overfishing and depletion of marine resources.
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Support for small-scale fishers and SMEs
Fishing is a vital part of the economy in Antigua and Barbuda, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small-scale fishers. The move to accept the agreement reflects a wider effort to protect livelihoods and food security in the country.
Hon. E P Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Barbuda Affairs, stated:
“Antigua and Barbuda’s deposit of its instrument of acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies reaffirms our nation’s commitment as a small island developing state to multilateralism and to the sustainable use of marine resources. It also demonstrates our unwavering support for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and our recognition of the importance of the fisheries sector to food security, people’s livelihoods, and resilience building.”
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WTO commends the move
Welcoming the development, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said:
“By depositing its instrument of acceptance, the government of Antigua and Barbuda is signaling its strong commitment to safeguarding marine resources and the livelihoods of its people. Our oceans’ resources are a vital component of many national economies, and we are grateful to Antigua and Barbuda for joining other WTO members in a collective effort to address this crucial global challenge. Only 16 more instruments are needed now for the Agreement to come into force!”
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A step towards global change
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies marks the first multilateral trade agreement focused on the environment. For it to become legally binding, two-thirds of WTO members must formally accept the agreement. With Antigua and Barbuda’s endorsement, the count now stands at 95, with 16 more required.
The agreement includes a provision for a dedicated fund to support developing and least-developed countries in building capacity for sustainable fisheries management. This ensures that countries most reliant on fishing are not left behind in the transition.
