Fisheries and Aquaculture Subsidies and Their Discontents

Fisheries subsidies have long been a contentious topic, with significant implications for both the sustainability of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of fishing communities. While subsidies can enhance economic resilience and support global food security, they can also exacerbate overfishing, threaten biodiversity, and create inequities in resource distribution. On the other hand, the scope, amounts and impacts of aquaculture subsidies are virtually unknown. This proposed Collection seeks to explore the different effects of fisheries and aquaculture subsidies through an interdisciplinary lens, consisting of ecological, economic, and social perspectives. By bringing together research from diverse geographical contexts and sectors, this volume aims to deepen our understanding of how subsidies influence fisheries and aquaculture management, ecosystem health, and social equity. We invite contributions that examine the impact of subsidies on fish stocks, the economic viability of fisheries and aquaculture, and the social outcomes for communities dependent on marine resources. This Collection will provide a timely platform to address the global policy dialogue around reforming harmful fisheries and aquaculture subsidies, and promoting sustainable practices within the two sectors.

We welcome contributions that systematically characterize fisheries and aquaculture subsidies, and their social and economic consequences. Papers assessing the efficacy of the June 2022 WTO fisheries subsidies agreement in terms of actually protecting fish stocks below water are highly desired. Additionally, articles that bring in non-conventional ideas, approaches and insights such as those based on Indigenous thinking are highly sought after.

Ultimately, this Special Collection aims to offer critical scientific insights and benchmarks for future research into the impacts of fisheries and aquaculture subsidies on marine biodiversity and the socio-economic wellbeing of communities worldwide. Papers that propose ideas to help the world redirect subsidies away from overfishing towards strengthening and rebuilding fish stocks so they can better support the well being of coastal small scale fishers in the face of climate change are most welcome. The hope is that the contributions within this Collection will support the important goal of ensuring that public funds are used to support nature and people rather than deploying them to undermine nature and ultimately the people who depend on it.