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Launching event of the UNEP-WWF publication: “Sustainability Criteria for Fisheries Subsidies –
Options for the WTO and Beyond”

Geneva, 26 September 2007

On 26 September 2007, UNEP and WWF jointly hosted a launching event of the publication "Sustainability Criteria for
Fisheries Subsidies - Options for the WTO and Beyond" at the WMO, Geneva. This event took place in the context of current negotiations in the World Trade Organization on new fisheries subsidies rules, aiming to address the problem of inappropriate subsidies that contribute to widespread overfishing and to the distortion of trade in fisheries products.

Jointly commissioned by UNEP and WWF, “Sustainability Criteria for Fisheries Subsidies – Options for the WTO and Beyond” provides an analysis of the fisheries conditions and management practices that could guide both WTO negotiators and domestic policymakers in designing criteria for the use of subsidies. By examining issues related to the health of fish stocks, the capacity of fishing fleets, and the adequacy of fisheries management regimes, the paper proposes a series of basic tests whose application may allow the risks of fisheries subsidies to be reduced.

The launching event provided the opportunity to present the paper’s main conclusions at a very timely moment of WTO negotiations to more than 30 attendees, mainly WTO delegates. During the subsequent discussion, delegates commented on the paper and key issues such as the approach to artisanal fisheries and to migratory species as well as the connection to existing international obligations. Delegates welcomed the paper and asked for further exchange and discussion of the issue as well as specific technical aspects.

For more information on UNEP ETB's work on fisheries subsidies, please visit http://www.unep.ch/etb/areas/fisherySub.php.

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