BRAZIL: article on public policy on fisheries subsidies

Browsing scientific literature on the subject of this blog I came across an interesting article titled "An historical account of Brazilian public policy on fisheries subsidies" written by Patrízia R. Abdallaha and Ussif R. Sumailab and published in Marine Policy Volume 31, Issue 4, July 2007, Pages 444-450.

Blogs discussing Fisheries Subsidies

The International Economic Law and Policy Blog (which is referenced in "My Blog list") has recently included two posts on fisheries subsidies and the WTO.

The first, titled "Doha negotiation on Fisheries Subsidies", discusses the nature of the disciplines being discussed at the WTO negotiating group on "Rules". The author of the posting, Junji Nakagawa, highlights the fact that these disciplines wiil be "[...] different from the disciplines on subsidies under the SCM Agreement, whose aims at addressing trade-distorting subsidies. If adopted, the Annex will open a new page in the history of trade and environment under the GATT/WTO by introducing direct disciplines on overcapacity and overfishing".

The second points to a conference given by Margaret Young (Pembroke College, Lauterpach Centre for International for international Law, University of Cambridge) on "Preemting international law's fragmentation through regime interaction: the WTO and fisheries subsidies".

Here are the links to the posts:

http://worldtradelaw.typepad.com/ielpblog/2008/10/doha-negotiatio.html

http://worldtradelaw.typepad.com/ielpblog/2008/10/wto-scholars-fo.html

CROATIA: HRK 18 million (EURO 2.5 million) in aid to fishing sector

According to an official press release dated October 16, 2008 the fishing industry in Croatia will benefit from a one-off payment of a total of HRK 18 million (EUR 2.5 million) in grants individual fishermen.

Here is the link to the official press release:

http://www.vlada.hr/en/naslovnica/novosti_i_najave/2008/listopad/vlada_18_milijuna_za_jednokratnu_potporu_ribarima

Fisheries subsidies: A review of the issues, actors and arenas as they relate to the doha mandate of the WTO

This is the title of an interesting paper written by Syma Ebbin from NORUT Samfunnsforskning AS in December 2005.

The paper can be found at the following web address:

http://en.norut.no/norut_troms/publikasjoner/rapporter/fisheries_subsidies_a_review_of_the_issues_actors_and_arenas_as_they_relate_to_the_doha_mandate_of_the_wto

FRANCE : Public-aided crises in the French fishing sector

This is title of an article published by Benoît Mesnil, from IFREMER, in Volume 51 issue 10 of "Ocean & Coastal Management", a scientific journal published by ELSEVIER.

More information on the article and the journal can be found at:

http://ees.elsevier.com/ocma/

NORWAY: a "green subsidy" for the fleet? The Norwegian "NOx Fund"

Norwegian companies in the fisheries industry, instead of paying 15 Norwegian Krona (NOK) per kg. of NOx in the form of a tax, will pay NOK 4 into a fund, the "NOx Fund", which shall in turn, allocate financial support to individual undertakings in order that emission reducing measures may be implemented.

The fund, which is also implemented for other industries, is run by an independent body financed by the participants.

The competition and "state aid" wacht-dog ESA (EEA Surveillance Authority) has concluded after scrutinising the Norwegian scheme that this is a "green" subsidy.

For more information about the scheme:

http://www.eftasurv.int/information/pressreleases/2008pr/dbaFile14424.html

Here is the ESA report:

http://www.nho.no/getfile.php/filer%20og%20vedlegg/ESAs%20vedtak%282%29.pdf

For more information about ESA:

http://www.eftasurv.int/

The Philippines: duty-free imports of fuel for the tuna industry?

It seems that the Philippino government is allowing tuna companies to import fuel directly. According to the Philippino press tuna companies would be allowed to import fuel from say, Malaysia, where it is cheaper (37 Peso/liter) than in the Philippines.

Furthermore tuna company discussed at the 10th National Tuna Congress a resolution asking the government for a 5 Peso per liter subsidy on petroleum products.

There have been also calls by politicians (e.g. Senate President Manny Villar) to "extend fuel discount, livelihood support and loans for the purchase of second-hand vessels to affected fishermen, while also pushing for the review of the Oil Deregulation Law.

Hereunder are links to the Philippino press and to a press release by Senator Villar:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080912-160306/Govt-allows-tuna-firms-to-import-fuel

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/09/09/bus/gov.t.allows.direct.oil.import.by.tuna.companies.html

http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2008/0904_villar1.asp