Failure to land WTO fishing subsidies deal will leave everyone poorer

Now the risk is further depletion of fishery stocks and possibly the complete scrapping of a broader global deal on the issue

A worker on Jan 13, 2024, sorting a catch of fish after it was unloaded from a fishing boat at a harbour in Pingtan Island, The failure to get a WTO deal places at risk the livelihoods of 260 million people who rely directly or indirectly on fishing. PHOTO: AFP
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Some of the world’s wealthiest nations are in a race to the bottom. Literally. Billions of dollars in subsidies are funding large, high-tech fishing fleets that are scouring the globe for dwindling fish stocks.

This is depleting the seas and hurting poorer nations that do not have the resources to compete.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.