Minister Crean calls for ambition in Doha negotiations on fisheries subsidies
Media release
8 June 2010
Trade Minister Crean today on the occasion of World Oceans Day called on WTO Members to push ahead in the Doha negotiations on fisheries subsidies to promote the health and sustainability of the world’s oceans.
“Australia is seeking the broadest possible prohibition to the harmful subsidies that lead to over-fishing and the build-up of excess capacity to fish. Along with the damage they cause to fish stocks, these subsidies are also trade and production distorting,” Mr Crean said.
Fisheries subsidies put at risk livelihoods and development in poorer countries that depend on sustainable fishing. Fisheries contribute to food security and are essential to the hundreds of millions of people who depend on them for food and livelihood.
“I recognise the livelihood concerns of developing countries and am committed to finding a way to address these concerns without destroying the sustainability of the world’s fish stocks.”
The sustainability of the world’s fisheries is at crisis point. The latest figures from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation indicate that 80 per cent of the world’s fish stocks are fully or overexploited with no prospect of recovery.
The challenge now is to prevent the situation from worsening. Fish stocks will not recover without concerted effort by the global community.
“An ambitious outcome in these negotiations will address the overcapacity and over-fishing which goes unabated.
Subsidies continue to be directed at building more and larger fishing boats, with the capacity to fish further and longer, encouraging fishing effort and adversely affecting to fish stock levels. Many fishing activities would not be viable without these subsidies.
“This is not an easy task. One practical and important step would be for governments to refrain from introducing new subsidy programs while Members negotiate an ambitious outcome to the Doha negotiations.
This is one area in the Doha negotiations where Members need to bolster efforts to reach agreement. Members are developing rules for the first time in the WTO to address the impact of measures that have both a distortion on trade and the sustainability of the world’s resources.”
“Such pioneer work calls for dedication and creativity. Australia is committed to contributing to this work.”
The United Nations Environment Program has estimated that globally, there are currently 35 million fishers and more than 20 million boats actively engaged in fishing. Fisheries directly and indirectly support 170 million jobs worldwide.
Media inquiries
- Trade Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7420
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555