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Despite anticipations of a successful deal prior to the meeting, a number of developing nations, including India, declined the proposed text during the final hours of the conference on Saturday, March 2nd, citing concerns over perceived 'loopholes' favoring larger fishing nations.
In the later stages of negotiations, Pacific Island nations such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa reintroduced an earlier stance advocating for a complete cap on fisheries subsidies, as reported by WWF.
Anna Holl-Buhl, WWF WTO Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations Global Lead, expressed frustration over the outcome, stating it was a significant missed opportunity to curb harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing, endangering the livelihoods and nutrition of billions worldwide.
Daniel Skerritt, Senior Analyst at Oceana, described the failure as a severe setback for global marine biodiversity, emphasizing the jeopardization of livelihoods and food security for millions due to the WTO's inability to address subsidies driving overfishing and fleet overcapacity.
Skerritt urged the WTO to shift focus promptly towards ensuring the ratification of the 2022 WTO agreement aimed at curbing fishing subsidies before the specified deadline. Currently, 71 WTO member states have ratified the agreement, with 110 ratifications needed from the 166 member states for it to become binding.
Ernesto Fernández Monge, a senior officer at the Pew Charitable Trusts specializing in reducing harmful fisheries subsidies, stressed that WTO members remain accountable despite the Abu Dhabi conference's failure. He emphasized the attainability of final rules and urged continuous efforts to enforce the 2022 agreement and reach a consensus on additional provisions aimed at ending harmful fisheries subsidies promptly.
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