Implications of liberalization of fish trade for developing countries

International trade in fish and fishery products has grown rapidly over the last two decades. However, many developing countries face various problems associated with meeting SPS/TBT compliance, not only in the fishery sector but also in other export sectors.

The current report notices that fisheries exports are a dynamic sector creating jobs for new entrants into the labour market, including women whose options may be limited otherwise. At the same time, it is also apparent that the majority of fisheries’ primary stakeholders belong to the poor who live near or below the poverty line.

To assist developing countries overcome the problems associated with SPS/TBT compliance, particularly in light of that small firms suffer most as a result of the increased quality standards, the paper suggests the following solutions:

• improved transparency of SPS/TBT agreements
• greater harmonisation of SPS/TBT standards
• improved mechanisms for the provision of legal and technical assistance, including legal assistance to participate in dispute settlement
• longer periods in which to achieve compliance would be beneficial
• the revision of own country administrative and technical arrangements for meeting SPS requirements including training in SPS/TBT issues
• the use and application of risk analysis as part of the regulatory decision-making process, alongside the development of domestic control systems

• directing support towards strengthening fisheries management in developing countries so as to increase the likelihood of successful certification
• increasing support for social certification rather than environmental certification; this may provide greater benefits to developing country producers