India Seeks Strong WTO Subsidy For High Seas Fishing

New Delhi: India has pitched at the WTO for stricter regulations on subsidies granted by coun-tries that are engaged in high seas fishing activities, an official said. Highlighting the stark disparity, an Indian document submitted at the World Trade Organization (WTO) has noted that it provides a modest USD 35 per fisher annually, compared to subsidies as high as USD 76,000 per fisher per year in some European nations. India also suggested that historical subsidisers should seek permission of the Committee on Fish-eries Subsidies for grant of subsidies in future.

The country has made these remarks in the meet-ings of the Negotiating Group on Rules (Fisheries subsidies), which are going on in Geneva. “India has pitched for strong disciplines for historical fisheries subsidisers which are engaged in distant water fishing (200 nautical miles from sea shore) and has asked for a moratorium on sub-sidies at the present level for 25 years,” the official said.

On these demands, India was supported by countries like Indonesia and other developing coun-tries, the official added. “Blaming India for stalling the decision at the GC (General Council) is merely an excuse and a tactic to push for weak disciplines, allowing business as usual to contin-ue,” the official said.