I welcome today’s entry into force of the landmark WTO (World Trade Organization) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies — a vital step in protecting our oceans and advancing sustainable development. Overfishing and illegal fishing are accelerating biodiversity loss and threatening the food security and livelihoods of millions. Harmful subsidies — costing taxpayers $22 billion annually — fuel this crisis, often at the expense of small-scale fishers.

Harmful subsidies fuel overfishing crisis. (2025, September 22). Daily Tribune, p. G39.