Antigua and Barbuda Now Bound by WTO Fisheries Subsidies Rules

by Brent Simon

On September 15, 2025, the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies officially entered into force, with Antigua and Barbuda among the member states that signed on. The agreement, hailed as a landmark for ocean sustainability, bans government support for three categories of harmful fishing: illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fishing of already overfished stocks, and unregulated high seas operations.

For Antigua and Barbuda fishing community, the change will not bring any visible day-to-day disruptions—at least for now. Most small-scale fishers who depend on nearshore resources are not directly affected, as the ban targets activities associated with overcapacity and destructive practices. However, the longer-term implications are more significant.

The government will face stricter obligations to prove that subsidies do not fuel overfishing. This could mean tighter licensing requirements, more robust monitoring and reporting systems, and eventually, limits on traditional forms of support. Benefits such as duty-free concessions on boats, engines, or equipment may come under review, especially if the subsidies are judged to increase fishing pressure on depleted stocks.

Economically, the shift could reduce certain incentives that fishers have long relied on. At the same time, the rules encourage countries to redirect assistance into sustainable practices—such as modern gear, aquaculture, and climate-resilient technologies.

For Antigua and Barbuda, the agreement offers both constraint and opportunity: a constraint on “business as usual” subsidies, and an opportunity to reposition the fisheries sector toward sustainability while gaining leverage in calling out larger subsidizing nations that affect Caribbean waters.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]