No funds for overfishing

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A law bringing Bahrain in line with global rules on fishing subsidies is set for debate in the Shura Council on Sunday.

If approved, it will add the WTO’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to the Marrakesh Agreement, as laid out in Decree No. 79 of 2024.

The agreement is designed to curb overfishing by banning government support that encourages unsustainable fishing.

Proposal

The Shura Council’s Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee was tasked with reviewing the proposal after Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh referred it for study.

The committee examined the legal implications, consulted government bodies, and reviewed input from the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Oil and Environment, and the Supreme Council for the Environment.

The Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee found no legal or constitutional concerns with the proposal.

Approval

The Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission said Bahrain’s approval fits into worldwide efforts to stop subsidies that contribute to dwindling fish stocks.

The Supreme Council for the Environment called the WTO agreement the first of its kind within the organisation, setting legally binding rules to curb overfishing.

Representatives pointed to the importance of tracking and managing fishing data, saying this was key to keeping fish stocks at stable levels.

Industry

The Coast Guard Command said Bahrain already bans support for illegal fishing and works with other agencies to keep the industry in check.

They noted that signing up to the agreement alongside other Gulf countries would strengthen regional oversight and bring better coordination.

The law consists of a preamble and two articles.

Protocol

The first approves the amended protocol, signed in Geneva on 17 June 2022, which adds the fisheries agreement to the Marrakesh Agreement.

The second is procedural. The protocol itself has six clauses, which set out how the agreement fits into existing WTO rules, ban any reservations on its terms, and detail how it will come into force. It also lays down the rules for formal acceptance by WTO members.

Definitions

The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies itself has 12 articles covering definitions, subsidy bans, compliance, and dispute settlement.

It prohibits subsidies for vessels or operators involved in illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing. It also limits financial support for fishing that puts extra pressure on depleted stocks and prevents governments from funding fishing operations outside their own waters unless the area is managed by a recognised regional body.

Allowances

Special allowances exist for developing and least-developed countries, giving them more time and support to meet the requirements.

Signatories will have to submit regular reports to allow oversight, with a WTO committee set up to ensure the rules are followed.

The Shura Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee found that the protocol did not go against the constitution but needed parliamentary approval under Article 37(2).

They said Bahrain has taken steps to protect its marine life and manage its fisheries, which are both a key food and income sources for many Bahrainis.