Global trade in fish and fishery products: An overview

• Published in: Marine policy Vol. 69; pp. 181 - 188
• Main Authors: Bellmann, Christophe, Tipping, Alice, Sumaila, U. Rashid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Fish; Fisheries; Fisheries subsidies; Food safety and traceability; IUU; Marine; Policies; Regional development; Regional trade agreements; Subsidies (financial); Sustainability; Sustainability standards; Trade; Trade barriers; Trends; WTO; Trade; Sustainability standards; Trade barriers; WTO; Fisheries subsidies; IUU; Food safety and traceability; Regional trade agreements
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2015.12.019

Global trade in fishery products plays a significant role in shaping the harvesting and use of fish, and therefore will be an important part of a transition to sustainable fisheries. This article provides an overview of global trade flows in fish and fishery products as well as future trends affecting the sector. It then moves on to review trade policy measures applied in major producing and importing countries, including tariff, non-tariff measures, and fisheries subsidies. It ends with an overview of recent developments in international frameworks governing trade in fish and fishery products at the global, regional and national levels. •Fish and fisheries products are among the most heavily traded commodities.•International trade should play a role in the transition to sustainable fisheries.•Trade policy measures contribute to shaping fish production and consumption patterns.•Domestic reform and international frameworks can help address sustainability issues.