ClientEarth’s position on fuel subsidies in the fisheries sector

ClientEarth’s fuel subsidies position summarises our thoughts with regards to fuel subsidies in the fisheries sector and their detrimental effect on the environmental, economic and social viability of this industry. This paper takes into account the important changes that should happen to avoid that harmful subsidies in the fisheries sector lead to more overcapacity, more overfishing and less sustainable fishing practices. The Sustainable Development Goals as well as the objectives set in the European Green Deal call for the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies including fuel subsidies. The adoption of the future European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive and the negotiations at World Trade Organisation level on the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies are also crucial opportunities to tackle the problem of harmful subsides in the fisheries sector.