Do subsidies drive Southern Ocean fishery operations? A comprehensive analysis of Southern Ocean fishery subsidies and the economics of distant water fleets

Across the high seas, distant water fisheries have benefited from government subsidies. Public funds directed toward supporting the fishery sector have enabled these fisheries to extend their range and duration at sea, threatening fish populations and the health of ocean ecosystems. Fuel subsidies have been identified as the primary form of subsidy, often allowing fishing vessels to continue operations despite declining revenues. While significant attention has been directed toward understanding fishery subsidies on a global scale, the magnitude of fishery subsidies specific to the Southern Ocean remained largely unknown. The Southern Ocean accounts for 10% of the global oceans, and its two main fisheries, for Antarctic krill and toothfishes, are managed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Through primary data collection in the form of interviews, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex operations that underpin Southern Ocean fisheries. Our research drew upon 29 expert interviews with industry representatives, government officials, and researchers from 13 CCAMLR Member States engaged in fishing activities in the Southern Ocean. The most commonly identified subsidies in our interviews included: fuel subsidies; tax breaks; discounted loans; research, development, and innovation grants; infrastructure support; and import subsidies. However, our results show that, based on research interviews, few Southern Ocean fishing companies heavily depend on government subsidies, with subsidy allocation varying greatly by State. For the majority of CCAMLR Member States, Southern Ocean fishery subsidies are largely insufficient to induce significant changes in fishery operations. Instead, private fishery organizations continually adjust their economic strategies and operational dynamics to increase profitability and lower expenses, often foregoing government subsidies by relocating their operations (e.g., home ports) to foreign States closer to the Southern Ocean. This research suggests that distant water fisheries subsidies are complex and nuanced, needing further investigation at the regional, Nation State, and company level scale.