THE WTO AGREEMENT ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES AS AN ELEMENT OF GLOBAL FISHERIES GOVERNANCE

Abstract

The article examines the key provisions of the WTO Agreement on Fishing Subsidies, as well as the place of the Agreement in the context of global fisheries regulation. The bans on subsidies introduced within the framework of the WTO are based on existing and new enforcement mechanisms, which suggests an increase in the degree of institutionalization of global fisheries regulation. It is indicated that the WTO Agreement was the result not only of the evolution of the international level of fisheries management, but also of the penetration of the ideology of sustainable development. The latter is the basis for the prohibitions imposed under the Agreement on certain types of subsidies. The discussion around the provisions of the Agreement reflected in the article reflects the contradictions between developed and developing countries. If the former have largely completed adaptation to the declining global fishing opportunities, have restructured their support programs under the ideology of sustainable development, then the latter, developing, face political and social challenges and often themselves act as objects for expeditionary fishing. The agreement, as amended in 2022, appears to be a compromise. However, the proposed amendments to it may significantly limit the possibilities for subsidizing fishing, including for Russia, which sets goals for the modernization of its fishing fleet in the medium term.