# A landmark World Trade Organisation agreement banning billions in harmful fishing subsidies has come into force. Approved by Brazil, Kenya, Tonga, and Vietnam, the deal prohibits subsidies for overfished stocks and fishing in international waters. Governments currently spend 614-billion-rand annually on such subsidies, mainly by China, the EU, the US, South Korea, and Japan. Poorer nations will access a support fund. Activists say the move benefits local fishers and marine ecosystems as the agreement restores global fish stocks.
WTO agreement to curb overfishing subsidies takes effect