Rescuing the Inexhaustible… (the Issue of Fisheries Subsidies in the International Trade Policy)

The main causes of over-fishing are not biological or environmental, butrather economic overexploitation of the ocean’s fishing resources. Since the problem is aneconomic issue, the response has to also be in the economic realm. Proper fisheriesmanagement and restrictions on fleets’ capacity (including the issue of fishery subsidies)would be very effective. A retreat from the subsidies in fisheries would considerably contributeto the conservation and sustainable use of fish stocks. However, a full retreat from thesubsidies in fisheries seems to be unrealistic. Consequently a compromise has to be made andappropriate restrictions are needed not to distort positive environmental-friendly trends insubsidizing and to protect the interests of the developing fishing states. The number of peopleemployed in fishing industry is growing every year, especially in developing countries. Thisregime would require a strong coordination and co-operation of governments and Internationalorganizations