Oceans
Global Effort to Save Dwindling Ocean Fish Faces Moment of Truth
Decades of talks to end government subsidies that fuel overfishing could result in a WTO deal this summer, but several nations are seeking exemptions.
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After 20 years of negotiations, the World Trade Organization is accelerating an effort to end $22 billion in government subsidies that prop up fishing industries—a key driver of plummeting fish stocks all over the world.
Currently, some 34% of global fish populations are overexploited, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. In the least developed countries, fish make up over 25% of protein consumption; in coastal communities, it can be up to 80%. Yet, the wealthiest countries subsidize industrial fleets that outcompete small-scale fishermen in poorer nations.