The Philippines welcomes the entry into force of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, a significant step in ocean sustainability. through Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque, has formally welcomed the entry into force of the landmark World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The Agreement, a historic first in linking a multilateral trade pact with environmental sustainability, officially took effect on September 15, 2025, after 112 WTO Members completed the deposition of their instruments of acceptance.
For the Philippines, a nation deeply reliant on its marine resources for livelihood and food security, the Agreement is a crucial step in safeguarding a vital economic sector. It is designed to strengthen global efforts to protect marine resources, promote fair competition for small-scale and artisanal fishers, and combat harmful fishing practices.
“This is a landmark moment for global ocean sustainability and a significant step forward for the Philippines,” said Secretary Roque. “The Agreement directly addresses the challenges faced by our small-scale fishers and strengthens our national efforts to protect our marine resources, which are vital for our food security and economy. It underscores our unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries and ensuring our policies align with our international commitments.”
The new rules directly prohibit subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It also bans subsidies that support the fishing of overfished stocks and activities on unregulated high seas. The WTO estimates that governments provide an estimated US$22 billion annually in harmful subsidies that drive overcapacity and threaten the sustainability of marine life.
The Agreement is complemented by a dedicated Fisheries Funding Mechanism, which offers technical assistance and capacity-building resources to developing and least developed countries to ensure effective implementation. With more than US$18 million pledged to the fund to date, the Philippines is well-positioned to access these resources to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. This will help identify and address resource gaps, ensuring that domestic reforms not only contribute to sustainable marine use but also enhance the country’s long-term food security and competitiveness in global seafood markets.
The Philippines demonstrated its early support for the Agreement by officially becoming the 70th member to deposit its instrument of acceptance at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February 2024. The Agreement was originally adopted at the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2022.
