WTO's Fishing Subsidy Agreement Faces Challenges from Key Nations
The World Trade Organization's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (FSA) is facing potential setbacks as India, Indonesia, and the United States express concerns over the second phase of negotiations, known as Fish 2. The FSA, which came into force in 2025, aims to curb harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal fishing practices. The agreement is crucial for Pacific Island countries, which rely heavily on fishing for economic security. However, the future of the agreement is uncertain as these key nations have yet to fully commit to the next phase, which seeks to address subsidies that lead to overcapacity and overfishing.