What Changed
- Review of 34 notifications and annual IUU vessel and operator determination lists across 11 jurisdictions.
- Disbursement update confirming USD 5.1 million across 43 grants allocated to 41 developing and least-developed country members via the Fish Fund.
- First reporting by the FAO under Article 9.5 and adoption of the Committee's first annual report to the Council for Trade in Goods.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Fisheries Subsidies met under the chairmanship of Ms Ana Lizano (Costa Rica) to evaluate member compliance and implementation following the entry into force of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 15 September 2025. The proceedings affect national fisheries administrators, commercial vessel operators, and trade compliance professionals across participating jurisdictions, including mainland China; Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; Chinese Taipei; Switzerland; and the European Union.
Since the Agreement came into force, 28 members have submitted a total of 78 notifications. During the meeting, the Committee formally reviewed 34 notifications from 20 members covering domestic fisheries regimes and measures adopted to administer the Agreement, including filings from Albania, Costa Rica, and Switzerland. Members also reviewed annual notifications of lists detailing vessels and operators affirmatively determined to have engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, submitted by Albania; Canada; Chile; China; Costa Rica; Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; New Zealand; Switzerland; Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
Submissions concerning Regional Fisheries Management Organizations/Arrangements (RFMOs/RFMAs) were examined from 17 members and entities, including Australia; Canada; Chile; China; Costa Rica; the European Union; Hong Kong, China; Israel; Japan; the Republic of Korea; New Zealand; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; Tonga; Türkiye; Ukraine and the United States. Following an agenda item requested by the United Kingdom, members exchanged practical national experiences regarding the preparation and submission of notifications.
On financial support, the Committee received an update on the Fisheries Funding Mechanism ('Fish Fund'). The fund has approved 43 grants totaling approximately USD 5.1 million to assist 41 developing and least-developed country members with implementation. The next call for proposals is expected in 2027. Pursuant to Article 9.5 of the Agreement, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) delivered its first report to the Committee on relevant fisheries management activities. Finally, the Committee considered draft notification templates, review procedures, observer status requests, and adopted its first annual report for circulation to the WTO Council for Trade in Goods. The next regular meetings are scheduled for the weeks of 26 April and 25 October 2027.
Who May Be Affected
Fisheries administrators, fishing vessel owners and operators, trade regulators, and international legal advisors in WTO member states.
Cross-Border Context
Involves multilateral compliance notifications and IUU enforcement listings from mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Chinese Taipei, Switzerland, the European Union, and other WTO members.
What to check next
- Formal minutes of the Committee on Fisheries Subsidies meeting once published by the WTO Secretariat.
- Circulated first annual report of the Committee to the WTO Council for Trade in Goods.
- Upcoming 2027 call for proposals under the Fisheries Funding Mechanism.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.