New Zealand leads WTO call for end to fishing subsidies

New Zealand has led an international call for an end to fishing subsidies, arguing at World Trade Organization (WTO) talks that they are harming the development of small island states.

Trade Minister Todd McClay released a statement signed by other nations at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, stating their intention to reinvigorate work in the WTO on ambitious and effective disciplines on fisheries subsidies.

They are calling for prohibitions on subsidies to fishing that is on overfished fish stocks or that is illegal, unreported and unregulated.

"Fisheries subsidies are a serious issue. They impact negatively on trade, the environment and development," McClay said in a statement from his office Friday.

"Fish products are one of the world's most highly traded commodities, and subsidies distort this trade. Fishing industries from many of the world's smaller states cannot afford to compete with large heavily subsidized fleets," said McClay.

"It is also a serious environmental issue. Fish stocks around the world are overfished. Subsidies are one of the most significant contributors to overfishing," he said.

"And it is also a development issue, particularly in the Pacific. Subsidies contribute to there being too many vessels, and this impacts on the health of fish stocks which are one of the most significant resources available to many Pacific Islands," he noted.

New Zealand had a long history of working with other countries in the WTO and elsewhere to address fisheries subsidies.

"Unfortunately, fish stocks continue to decline while fisheries subsidies continue to increase," said McClay.

Other countries supporting the statement included Australia, Argentina, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, the United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Senegal, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

"We are inviting other WTO members to join us in these efforts, " said McClay.

"This is an issue that requires urgent action," he added.