Bahrain Joins Global Deal to Stop Harmful Fishing Subsidies
-
Hashim Sheikh
- . April 30, 2025
- . Update: April 30, 2025 5:30 pm
Bahrain has officially joined a much anticipated worldwide accord towards the protection of the oceans: The Kingdom committed itself to the World Trade Organisation (WTO’s) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, making it the 97th member to comply with the rules.
This agreement effectively prohibits government payments that facilitate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as some of the most liberalized forms of subsidy leading to overfishing and the destruction of marine habitats. Joining this agreement, Bahrain has made a significant step forward in encouraging sustainable fishing and ocean ecosystem conservation.
The WTO promulgated this agreement in 2022 to help ensure the continued healthy status of global fish stocks. The agreement enters into force after two-thirds of the WTO members ratify it. Hence, Bahrain’s step means that only 13 more approvals would be needed.
According to the ambassador, it’s an embodiment of what the country stands for in terms of sustainable development and the concerted use of resources. More so, it also provides assistance to developing countries in meeting the new requirements to be able to safeguard their markets against competition from imports.
This is a great initiative for the entirety of Bahrain but indeed for the world’s efforts to save the oceans for future generations.
