July 19, 2023 — More countries, especially those with extensive coastal communities like the Philippines, are being urged to accept the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s agreement on fisheries subsidies to send a clear signal of zero tolerance on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF).
In a briefing with journalists under the Foreign Press Center’s international reporting tour, Monterey Bay Aquarium vice president for global ocean initiatives Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly stressed the importance of having more countries accept the agreement.
“It is very important for countries to sign on to send a very clear signal of zero tolerance for subsidizing fleets and economies’ efforts that are having some sort of egregious harm,” Kemmerly said.
This is a call to action from over 200 scientists globally, pleading with countries to accept the agreement to end harmful fishing subsidies.
“I would add that the NGO (non-government organization) community would like to see that broaden,” she said.