The overexploitation of the fishing sector in the last years has caused a reduction in world fish stocks, especially in the North of the planet, where developed countries are located.
To lessen the problem, as well as to protect stocks of developing nations that still don’t have a fully developed fishing industry, Brazil has sent representatives to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
They want to discuss the reform on subsidies and countervailing measures. The idea is to defend the reduction of fisheries subsidies.
“There is an international movement for the decrease of subsidies countries offer for the development of world fishing activity. These subsidies must be eliminated, as per this world understanding, because the high subsidies offered by developed countries to fishing activities, including fleet construction and infrastructure financing, created a super production, a super exploitation with a consequent stock reduction in several regions of the world,” explained Minister José Fritsch, of the Special Secretariat for Aquiculture and Fishing (Seap).
Fritsch said that Brazil presented a proposition to WTO that defends a strict subsidy reduction for countries that developed their fishing potential in the past – which means less than 15 countries.
“We have 200 miles of coast which is exclusive Brazilian property. We, as developing countries, cannot be treated the same way as developed ones, because, otherwise, we will be in a totally unequal condition. Rich countries will keep being great fishers, and underdeveloped nations will end up having to allow them to fish in their waters,” he said.
Brazilian proposal includes a concession of some type of subsidy for developing nations so that they will be able to strengthen their fishing structure.
“This should last for a predetermined time, and afterwards, no other country will be allowed to invest subsidized resources on sea fishing in the world,” explained.
Agência Brasil