New Zealand Accepts WTO Fisheries Deal

New Zealand became the 17th member country to formally accept the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Fisheries and Subsidies, the WTO announced. The deal would impose rules to crack down on subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. New Zealand's announcement means nearly 40% of member states have ratified the deal, which requires acceptance by two-thirds of WTO members to enter into force.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed New Zealand's commitment. "These actions add to New Zealand's important contributions to the WTO's work to establish global rules against harmful fisheries subsidies," she said. "I am hopeful this will encourage more countries in the Oceania region and the rest of the world to formally accept the Agreement, support its implementation, and usher in the speedy entry into force of the WTO's historic agreement for ocean sustainability."