Ensuring Fisheries Transparency Is Key to Sustainable Fisheries
By Jungdo Kim, Head of Climate & Ocean Research Division, Climate Ocean Research Institute (CORI)
Published on March 30, 2025
In June 2022, the World Trade Organization (WTO) adopted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies during its 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. This agreement prohibits the provision of subsidies to vessels and operators engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing or targeting overfished stocks. It is historically significant as the first WTO agreement with sustainability as its core objective.
Given the long-standing criticism that the WTO has encouraged resource depletion in the pursuit of free trade, the adoption of this agreement marks a pivotal step toward a trade regime that embraces sustainability.
The depletion of global fish stocks due to IUU fishing and overfishing is a serious issue. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s 2024 State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report, 37.7% of global fish stocks are estimated to be harvested at unsustainable levels. One of the main drivers of this problem is the vast amount of subsidies provided by governments to their domestic fisheries.
At the 2022 WTO conference, global fisheries subsidies were estimated to range between $14 billion and $54 billion. A 2018 study found that 63% of these subsidies were classified as harmful, as they increase fishing capacity and encourage IUU fishing and overfishing. This underscores the urgent need to eliminate subsidies that harm marine resources.
For the agreement to take effect, it must be ratified by two-thirds of WTO members. As of now, 91 countries—including South Korea—have completed ratification. Once 20 more members join, the agreement will officially enter into force. Upon implementation, subsidies contributing to IUU fishing and overfishing will be banned, and seafood products that cannot demonstrate compliance will face export and import restrictions.
In 2024, South Korea’s seafood exports totaled $3.09 billion, while imports reached $6.74 billion. These figures highlight how vulnerable the country could be to trade disruptions if the agreement takes effect without adequate legal and institutional preparation. Without proper domestic legislation in place, Korean fishers may face serious consequences.
How, then, can we prove that seafood was not sourced through IUU fishing or overfishing? The answer lies in strengthening fisheries transparency. South Korea has made progress in enhancing transparency in distant-water fisheries. It is now time to extend these measures to coastal and inshore fisheries.
First, Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) should be mandated for all inshore and coastal vessels, allowing real-time monitoring to deter illegal activity. Fishers must also be required to report their catches to authorities, including any transfers to carrier vessels. Additionally, reporting obligations should extend to onshore storage and distribution, creating a traceable and transparent supply chain. These measures are essential to proving the legality and sustainability of seafood products in international markets.
In June 2023, the South Korean government submitted the Sustainable Coastal and Inshore Fisheries Development Act to the National Assembly. However, the bill remains pending ten months later. To minimize disruptions and give fishers time to adapt, the bill must be passed without further delay.
As global trade rules evolve, it is critical that our fishers are not left behind. The National Assembly must act decisively to protect their future.
This article was originally published in Korean in the Kyunghyang Shinmun on March 30, 2025. Read the original article here. https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202503302051005