The World Trade Organization's (WTO) landmark "Fish One" treaty, designed to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies, officially took effect on September 15, 2025. This pivotal moment was reached as Brazil, Kenya, Tonga, and Vietnam submitted their ratifications, bringing the total number of adhering member states to 111, which is the required two-thirds majority. The treaty, adopted in June 2022 after more than two decades of negotiations, is the WTO's first multilateral agreement with an environmental focus. It aims to bolster ocean health by prohibiting government subsidies that fuel overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.
The "Fish One" agreement specifically targets subsidies that bolster IUU fishing and the exploitation of already overfished stocks, prohibiting such subsidies unless measures are in place to rebuild the stocks to a biologically sustainable level. It also imposes crucial restrictions on subsidies for fishing operations in international waters, including the high seas. Nations that have ratified the treaty are now obligated to provide detailed reports on their fisheries subsidies to the WTO, including comprehensive data on fish stock status, management practices, and catch information, to ensure transparency and enforcement.
The agreement seeks to curb the billions of dollars in annual losses attributed to illegal fishing, which significantly impacts marine ecosystems and the livelihoods dependent on them. Experts estimate that approximately 60% of global fisheries subsidies are considered harmful, contributing to overfishing and overcapacity. According to 2019 data, governments allocated approximately $35.4 billion to their fishing fleets, including fuel subsidies. The largest sponsors are China, the EU, the USA, South Korea, and Japan, though not all their programs fall under the new rules.
Despite this achievement, negotiations for "Fish Two," which aims to address subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, are still facing significant hurdles, with the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference in March 2024 concluding without a consensus on the matter. The success of "Fish One" and the eventual agreement on "Fish Two" are critical determinants for the future of global marine biodiversity and the overall health of ocean ecosystems. The treaty's effectiveness hinges on continued international cooperation and the commitment of all members to uphold its principles.
The WTO Fish Fund has been established with over $18 million pledged to support developing countries in their enforcement and reporting obligations, acknowledging the need for equitable implementation of the agreement. This fund will provide technical assistance, such as building fisheries data collection infrastructure. Developing and least-developed countries have a two-year grace period before full implementation of certain prohibitions and may have less frequent data reporting requirements.