India Deposits Acceptance of WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
India deposited its instrument of acceptance for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) on 20 July 2026, becoming a party to the pact. This move enhances India's credibility as a responsible seafood exporter and demonstrates commitment to sustainable fisheries management.
Background
The AFS was adopted by consensus at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva in June 2022. It entered into force on 15 September 2025 after acceptance by two-thirds of WTO members. India is the 123rd member to deposit its acceptance.
Key facts
India deposited its acceptance instrument on 20 July 2026, submitted by the Commerce Secretary to the WTO Director-General.
The AFS is the first multilateral WTO agreement aimed at environmental sustainability.
It prohibits subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and for fishing overfished stocks.
The agreement applies to marine wild capture fishing and associated activities; aquaculture and inland fisheries are excluded.
It protects traditional and small-scale fishers by curbing harmful subsidies for large industrial fishing fleets.
India's domestic framework includes the Sustainable Exploitation of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025 and guidelines for high seas fishing under Indian flag.
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) supports capacity building for fisheries management.
India's seafood exports are dominated by farmed shrimp, which is outside the agreement's scope.
The agreement provides special and differential treatment for developing and least-developed countries.
Prelims pointers
- WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS)
- 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, Geneva, June 2022
- Entry into force: 15 September 2025
- India is 123rd member to accept
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- Sustainable Exploitation of Fisheries in EEZ Rules, 2025
- IUU fishing: Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing
- Excludes aquaculture and inland fisheries
Mains angles
- GS2: India's role in WTO and multilateral trade agreements
- GS3: Sustainable fisheries management and environmental conservation
- GS3: Impact on small-scale fishers and food security
- GS2: International trade and India's export competitiveness