Canada formally accepts the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

May 3, 2023

The Government of Canada announced that it has formally accepted the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies aims to ensure sustainable global fisheries by establishing new multilateral trade rules on harmful fisheries subsidies, such as those related to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It is the second multilateral agreement, and first environmental agreement, to be negotiated at the WTO since its inception.

Canada is the fifth WTO member to deposit its instrument of acceptance for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The agreement will enter into force once two thirds of WTO members have accepted it.