WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which entered into force in September 2025, establishes binding, multilateral rules for curbing harmful subsidies, a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks. This brochure looks at why the Agreement is important, which subsidies are prohibited, and WTO members’ transparency obligations under the Agreement. It also covers the expected benefits of the Agreement, from protecting the livelihoods of fishing communities around the world to supporting a more sustainable future for our shared oceans.