1. KEY OBJECTIVES AND THEIR LOCATION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS
Development and Sustainability in the WTO Fishery Subsidies Negotiations: Issues and Alternatives
Session 1:
KEY OBJECTIVES AND THEIR LOCATION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS
David K. Schorr
11 May 2006, 9h00-18h00
International Environment House 1, Room 3
13 chemin des Anémones, Geneva, Switzerland

2. “What are we here to talk about . . . ?”

3. Special & Differential
Article 27
Patently at Risk
Market Integration
de minimis
Competition
phase in
Artisanal Fishing
Food Security
Development
Sustainability
Subsistence
Special & Differential
Treatment
Growth
Infant Industry
Livelihoods
Rural Communities
Access Agreements
phase out
INTERESTS
POLICIES
PROGRAMMES
RULES

4. Special & Differential
Article 27
Patently at Risk
CONTEXTS?
Market Integration
de minimis
Competition
phase in
Artisanal Fishing
Food Security
Development
Sustainability
Subsistence
IN COMMON?? IN TENSION??
Special & Differential
Treatment
Growth
Infant Industry
Livelihoods
Rural Communities
Access Agreements
phase out
INTERESTS
POLICIES
PROGRAMMES
RULES

6. Note: this data, from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

7. Note: this data from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

8. Note: this data, from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

9. Note: this data from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

10. Note: this data, from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

11. CONTEXTS?

12. INTERESTS? IN COMMON?? IN TENSION?? . . . Clearly both . . . but:
General strategic interests at WTO seem shared more than different contexts might imply . . .
The tensions that do exist are not always international But often raise questions of domestic policy coherence

13. General Interests WHAT? HOW? LIVELIHOODS ACCESS . . . TO:
SOCIAL SAFETY NET CAPITAL | TECHNOLOGY | MARKETS
EMPLOYMENT AND RESOURCES (FISHERIES)
FOOD SECURITY
DEVELOPMENT PREFERENTIAL COMPETITION

14. General Interests WHAT? HOW? LIVELIHOODS ACCESS . . . TO:
SOCIAL SAFETY NET CAPITAL | TECHNOLOGY | MARKETS
EMPLOYMENT AND RESOURCES (FISHERIES)
FOOD SECURITY
DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
(OR REMOVAL OF DISADVANGAGES!)
These basic interests seem widely shared
but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences

15. General Interests WHAT? HOW? LIVELIHOODS ACCESS . . . TO:
SOCIAL SAFETY NET CAPITAL | TECHNOLOGY | MARKETS
EMPLOYMENT AND RESOURCES (FISHERIES)
FOOD SECURITY
DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
(OR REMOVAL OF DISADVANGAGES!)
These basic interests seem widely shared
but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences

16. social safety nets may aim to smooth very different transitions
These basic interests seem widely shared
but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences
For example:
access arrangements: may be part of a fisheries industry development strategy or not!
social safety nets may aim to smooth very different transitions
. . . e.g., to a smaller industry or a larger one
. . . from labor to capital intensive
. . . from domestic to international markets

17. Another good example . . . the discussion of “Artisanal Fishing”
These basic interests seem widely shared
but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences
Another good example the discussion of “Artisanal Fishing”
(see UNEP paper)

18. Definitional Elements
Table 1 — Elements of a Definition of “Artisanal Fishing”
Category
Definitional Elements
Typical Examples
Physical Attributes
Vessel type
Canoe, dory
Vessel size
Short (e.g., < 10m); light
Vessel motor
Unmotorized or small engine
Pattern of Fishing
Fishing gear/technique
Manual or small nets; passive; low tech
Location of land base
Rural
Location of fishery
In-shore
Target type
Multi-species
Social Structure
Of fishery
Traditional (clan or community)
Of fishing enterprise
Family crew, owner on board
Economic Condition
Market orientation
Direct consumption or local market
Income level
Subsistence or very poor
Based on Schorr, Artisanal Fishing: Promoting Poverty Reduction and Community Development Through New WTO Rules on Fisheries Subsidies (UNEP 2006)

19. Definitional Elements
Table 1 — Elements of a Definition of “Artisanal Fishing”
Category
Definitional Elements
Typical Examples
Physical Attributes
Vessel type
Canoe, dory or a trawler . . .
Vessel size
Short (e.g., < 10m); light or big . . .
Vessel motor
Unmotorized or small engine …or powerful …
Pattern of Fishing
Fishing gear/technique
Manual or small nets; passive; low tech
. . . or using GSP, winches, sonor . . .
Location of land base
Rural or city-based . . .
Location of fishery
In-shore or off-shore . . .
Target type
Multi-species or single species . . .
Social Structure
Of fishery
Traditional (clan or community)
. . . or corporate . . .
Of fishing enterprise
Family crew, owner on board
Economic Condition
Market orientation
Direct consumption or local market . . .
Income level
Subsistence or very poor

20. Definitional Elements “Industrial Artisanal Fishing”??
Table 1 — Elements of a Definition of “Artisanal Fishing”
Category
Definitional Elements
Typical Examples
Physical Attributes
Vessel type
Canoe, dory or a trawler . . .
Vessel size
Short (e.g., < 10m); light or big . . .
Vessel motor
Unmotorized or small engine …or powerful …
Pattern of Fishing
Fishing gear/technique
Manual or small nets; passive; low tech
. . . or using GSP, winches, sonor . . .
Location of land base
Rural or city-based . . .
Location of fishery
In-shore or off-shore . . .
Target type
Multi-species or single species . . .
Social Structure
Of fishery
Traditional (clan or community)
. . . or corporate . . .
Of fishing enterprise
Family crew, owner on board
Economic Condition
Market orientation
Direct consumption or local market . . .
Income level
Subsistence or very poor
“Industrial Artisanal Fishing”??

21. INTERESTS? IN COMMON?? IN TENSION?? . . . Clearly both . . . but:
General strategic interests at WTO seem shared more than different contexts might imply . . .
The tensions that do exist are not always international But often raise questions of domestic policy coherence

22. Challenges to Policy Coherence
OFFENSIVE / DEFENSIVE TRADE POLICY GOALS
Seeking “preferential competition” AND an even playing field?
(including where S-S competition matters)
DEVELOPMENT (GROWTH) + SUSTAINABILITY

23. Challenges to Policy Coherence
OFFENSIVE / DEFENSIVE TRADE POLICY GOALS
Seeking “preferential competition” AND an even playing field?
(including where S-S competition matters)
DEVELOPMENT (GROWTH) + SUSTAINABILITY
(especially if industrialization and/or industry growth is desired)

24. SO WHAT??

25. The task we face . . . = DRAFTING RULES
So far, concrete proposals on developing country interests have been relatively few, and often vague
The technical discussion has floated among several rule elements:
S&DT
“Artisanal Fishing” (and small scale?)
Access agreements (definition of a subsidy)
Diverse interests have been reflected in a common and imprecise vocabulary.
THE BIG CHALLENGE = STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE

26. The task we face . . . = DRAFTING RULES
So far, concrete proposals on developing country interests have been relatively few, and mostly vague
The technical discussion has floated among several rule elements:
S&DT
“Artisanal Fishing” (and small scale?)
Access agreements (definition of a subsidy)
Diverse interests have been reflected in a common and imprecise vocabulary.
THE BIG CHALLENGE = STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE

27. THE BIG CHALLENGE = STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE
. . . which requires a careful articulation of what is at stake . . .
. . . THUS this workshop invites delegations to work from interests to text, rather than reacting to text based on interests . . .
. . . And so, this first session opens with the questions:
What are the specific development and sustainability objectives of governments in these negotiations?
What kind of programmes or policies are currently in place, or are envisioned for the future, to meet these objectives? Specific examples?
What are the key technical questions that most need answering in order to achieve the desired outcome?

28. Thanks for your attention!!