Wyden Statement on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

Washington, D.C. — Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on the United States formally accepting the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, a long-sought international deal that will help preserve the marine environment and support American fishing communities:

"While there’s still more work to be done, this agreement is an important first step towards cracking down on harmful government subsidies that deplete fishing stocks and undercut the hardworking fishers in the Pacific Northwest and around the country. I’ve been pushing for this agreement for well over a decade, and I hope the United States’ continued leadership will encourage our trading partners to implement this agreement as soon as possible and keep working towards even stronger commitments." 

Background:

The World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies commits members to ending subsidies for certain harmful and unsustainable fishing activities, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Government subsidies for vessels, fuel and equipment involved in illegal and unsustainable fishing activities encourage overfishing and the depletion of fish stocks globally. The agreement, which was concluded in June 2022, also includes new transparency and notification requirements about government fisheries subsidies.

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