Small boats, big problems
2008
A. Gonzales
This paper argues that small boats can cause as much damage in fisheries around the world as big trawlers. While most governments say they want to halt subsidies that contribute to overfishing and over capacity, many demand the right to continue subsidising 'small' vessels. WWF argues that relaxing WTO rules for 'small boats' has no basis in sound policy and runs the risk of introducing a dangerous loophole in WTO fisheries subsidies rules. <br /><br />The main points put forward by the paper are: “small” does not mean “weak” : small-scale fisheries can enjoy significant comparative advantage precisely because they can be economically more efficient than industrial fisheries “small” does not mean “local”: in international competition both for catches and for markets, small-scale fleets are a significant and growing global force “small” does not mean “sustainable”: small-scale fisheries are not immune to overcapacity, overfishing, or destructive fishing practices “small” does not even mean “small”: one recent rough estimate concludes that small-scale fisheries likely account for between 25% and 33% of worldwide capture fisheries production In summary, the paper argues that relaxing WTO rules for “small-scale” fisheries—especially when these are defined purely by vessel size—runs a very great risk of introducing a crippling loophole into WTO fisheries subsidies rules. Specific recommendations include: artisanal fisheries (as defined for purposes of the WTO talks in terms of subsistence or near-subsistence activity) should be kept distinct from “small-scale”, and should be given special treatment as part of “special and differential treatment” (S&DT) for developing countries governments should remain free to assist their small-scale fishing communities in ways that are properly tailored to their socio-economic goals where the objective is to grow small-scale fishing (or at least make it relatively stronger in relation to industrial fishing), governments should consider using the allocation of sustainable fishing rights rather than subsidies to capital or operating costs if the goal is simply to protect uncompetitive traditional communities from social dislocations governments should turn to social safety nets and transitional arrangements rather than subsidies linked to production <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
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