Antigua and Barbuda has taken a major step toward protecting its fishing industry and securing the future of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector.
On April 3, WTO Ambassador Colin Murdoch officially deposited the country's instrument of acceptance for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala—making it the 95th member to do so.
This move signals the Caribbean nation's strong commitment to safeguarding marine resources, supporting sustainable fishing, and securing the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and businesses.
Welcoming this development, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of the agreement, saying:
"By depositing its instrument of acceptance, the government of Antigua and Barbuda is signaling its strong commitment to safeguarding marine resources and the livelihoods of its people. Our oceans' resources are a vital component of many national economies, and we are grateful to Antigua and Barbuda for joining other WTO members in a collective effort to address this crucial global challenge. Only 16 more instruments are needed now for the Agreement to come into force!"
For Antigua and Barbuda, this is more than just a global commitment—it is a direct investment in the future of its fisheries sector, which plays a crucial role in food security, employment, and resilience-building. Hon. E P Chet Greene, the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs, reinforced this stance:
"Antigua and Barbuda's deposit of its instrument of acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies reaffirms our nation's commitment as a small island developing state to multilateralism and to the sustainable use of marine resources. It also demonstrates our unwavering support for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and our recognition of the importance of the fisheries sector to food security, people's livelihoods, and resilience building."
Fishing is a lifeline for many SMEs in Antigua and Barbuda and other coastal nations. However, harmful subsidies—such as those that support illegal or unregulated fishing—threaten fish stocks and put sustainable businesses at risk.
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022, sets strict new rules to eliminate financial incentives for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, as well as subsidies that encourage overfishing and depletion of marine life.
For developing nations and least-developed countries, the agreement also includes a dedicated fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support, ensuring they can successfully transition to sustainable fisheries management.
For this agreement to take effect, two-thirds of WTO members must formally accept it. With Antigua and Barbuda's acceptance, only 16 more countries are needed before the new rules become enforceable.
As the world inches closer to this landmark shift, Antigua and Barbuda has cemented its role in protecting both its marine ecosystems and the small businesses that depend on them.
The coming months will determine how quickly the global community can fully activate these protections—and ensure that fishing remains a source of livelihood, not a threat to sustainability.
