WTO Fish Fund

The WTO Fish Fund is a voluntary funding mechanism established to assist developing and least-developed country (LDC) WTO Members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. It aims to support these Members in enhancing the sustainability of oceans and marine life by facilitating compliance with the Agreement.

Objectives:

• Assist developing and LDC WTO Members that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
• Support the implementation of the Agreement to promote sustainable fisheries.
• Act as a catalyst for ocean and marine life sustainability.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Government entities from developing and least-developed WTO Members.
• Only those Members that have formally deposited their instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies are eligible.

Application Process:

• Proposals must be submitted online.
• Funding requests must be clearly linked to the implementation of the Agreement.
• The first call for proposals deadline has been extended to 9 October 2025.
• Disbursement of funds will begin once the Agreement officially enters into force.

Key Features:

• Exclusively supports developing and least-developed WTO Members.
• Focus on projects that directly contribute to the implementation of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.
• Managed by the Fish Fund Secretariat at the World Trade Organization.
• Encourages sustainable fisheries management and ocean conservation.
• Provides a platform for government entities to access financial support for compliance efforts.

Contact and further information are available through the Fish Fund Secretariat at the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland. The program also offers a newsletter subscription for updates and resources related to fisheries funding and sustainability.