Market Development

Fish Fund supports Tonga's first notification under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

The WTO's Fisheries Funding Mechanism, also known as the "Fish Fund", has supported Tonga in making its first notification under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This milestone marks an important step for Tonga in implementing the agreement and promoting sustainable fisheries management. The Fish Fund was established to provide targeted technical assistance and capacity-building to developing and least-developed members, including Tonga, in meeting their WTO obligations.

The fund operates in cooperation with various international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Bank Group. To date, the fund has received contributions from 18 member countries, amounting to CHF 15.7 million (approximately USD 20 million). These contributions will support the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in developing countries.

Tonga's notification is an encouraging example of how the WTO Fish Fund is helping its members build capacity and contribute to more sustainable fisheries. The fund's second call for proposals closed recently, with newly approved grants expected to be announced in July 2026. As the fund continues to support its member countries, it will play a crucial role in promoting transparency and sustainability in global fisheries management.

Why it matters

Transparency in fisheries management is gaining momentum under the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The recent notification by Tonga marks an important milestone in its implementation efforts, with the country benefiting from a Fish Fund project preparation grant to support its transition to more sustainable fisheries practices. As developing and least-developed members build their capacity to implement the Agreement, transparency is increasingly seen as crucial for effective management of fish stocks and conservation measures.

The WTO's Fisheries Funding Mechanism, known as the Fish Fund, plays a vital role in supporting these efforts. Established under Article 7 of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the Fund provides targeted technical assistance and capacity-building to help its beneficiary members implement the Agreement. With contributions from 18 member countries totaling CHF 15.7 million (USD 20 million), the Fund is helping to strengthen the capacity of WTO parties to meet their obligations and promote sustainable fisheries management.

As new grants are announced in July 2026, it remains to be seen how effectively the Fish Fund will support the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. However, with transparency at its core, the Fund's efforts may help to build trust among stakeholders and foster a more collaborative approach to managing global fisheries resources.

Key points

* The WTO's Fish Fund has supported Tonga in submitting its first notification under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a milestone marking an important step towards implementing the agreement. * The fund's support enabled Tonga to conduct a national workshop and develop its first fisheries subsidy inventory, strengthening its capacity to meet WTO obligations and promote sustainable fisheries management. * The Fish Fund was established under Article 7 of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to provide targeted technical assistance and capacity-building to developing and least-developed member countries. * To date, total contributions and commitments to the WTO Fish Fund from 18 members have reached CHF 15.7 million, equivalent to more than USD 20 million. * The fund operates in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Bank Group. * Newly approved grants are expected to be announced by the WTO Fish Fund in July 2026, following the closure of its second call for proposals on May 8.

Institutional context

The WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has been implemented in various ways, with a key role played by the Fisheries Funding Mechanism, commonly referred to as the "Fish Fund". The fund provides targeted technical assistance and capacity-building support to developing and least-developed member countries to help them implement the agreement. The fund operates in cooperation with several international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Bank Group.

The WTO's institutional framework has been strengthened by the establishment of the Fish Fund, which is housed at the WTO. This development reflects the organization's commitment to supporting its member countries in implementing international agreements related to fisheries subsidies. The fund's second call for proposals recently closed, with newly approved grants expected to be announced in July 2026.

The WTO has also seen increased engagement from its member countries on issues related to fisheries subsidies. For example, Australia, Canada, and the European Union have made significant contributions to the Fish Fund, totaling over CHF 15.7 million (approximately USD 20 million). These contributions demonstrate the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges such as sustainable fisheries management.

Practical considerations

Practical considerations for practitioners include familiarizing themselves with the requirements of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, including the need to notify RFMO/A membership and provide information about areas and species under competence, managed fish stocks, conservation and management measures, and lists of vessels and operators engaged in illegal fishing. Practitioners should also be aware of the WTO Fish Fund's role in supporting developing and least-developed members in implementing the Agreement.

To capitalize on the support offered by the WTO Fish Fund, practitioners can work closely with government officials to develop a national workshop and conduct a fisheries subsidy inventory. This will help build capacity to meet WTO obligations and promote sustainable fisheries management. The fund's second call for proposals is expected to close soon, with newly approved grants anticipated in July 2026.

Practitioners should also note that the WTO Fish Fund operates in cooperation with other international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Bank Group. To stay informed about fund developments, practitioners can visit the WTO's website for more information on the Fish Fund, which includes details on grant opportunities, contributing members, and total contributions to date.

Source: WTO News