Aliances Workshop at IUCN World Conservation Congress: "Fishing for Sustainability: Maintaining Momentum for Fisheries Subsidies Reform"

Barcelona, 6 October 2008

UNEP, in collaboration with WWF, OCEANA and ICTSD, hosted a workshop on fisheries subsidies during the IUCN Congress in Barcelona. The aim was to raise awareness among the international conservation community about the contribution of fisheries subsidies to over-fishing and overcapacity and to provide insights to main issues and controversies in related WTO negotiations. The message was transmitted that fisheries subsidies have to be reformed urgently and that a strong sustainability basis for corresponding rules is realistic and feasible. Presentations showed that WTO rules are vitally needed and represent an unprecedented opportunity for this reform. However, it was highlighted that national reforms – either by governments acting alone or in regional contexts – are the key element and would strongly benefit from support and advocacy by a wide range of stakeholders.

After an introduction to the topic, key issues of WTO negotiations were presented in a 20-minutes stage play. This was followed by a panel discussion, chaired by UNEP, on “Building Momentum Towards National & Regional Reforms”. Experts from ICTSD, Oceana, WWF and the University of British Columbia gave specific examples of subsidies policies from the EU and West African context. The subsequent discussion with the audience touched upon topics such as the link between ITQ systems and subsidies policies, the involvement of the private sector in reform processes, social implications of subsidies reform and the role of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) with regards to the implementation of potential fisheries subsidies disciplines.

For further information please contact: Anja von Moltke (anja.moltke@unep.ch, tel: 41-22-917 8137)

Back to main Fisheries Subsidies page