Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Indonesian government criticized the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) during a forum in Jakarta on Thursday (5/3/2026), arguing that its uniform "one-size-fits-all" approach jeopardizes the livelihoods of millions of small-scale fishers. 

Ministry of Trade negotiator Jeremy Kumajas emphasized that Indonesia’s coastal communities rely on operational support to survive, contrasting them with industrial fleets that distort global markets.

“Subsidies in developing countries function as a social safety net and an instrument for food security rather than a means to massively expand fleets,” he asserted, as cited by antaranews.com.

Indonesia has withheld ratification of the AFS first stage, insisting that global regulations must align with national laws protecting traditional fishers. The government continues to lobby for stronger Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) in ongoing negotiations. 

Officials maintain that any ratified agreement must specifically exempt social subsidies for coastal fishers while targeting illegal, unregulated fishing and large-scale industrial overcapacity to ensure global maritime justice.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)