It is hardly a secret that environmental and business interests often cross swords over international trade. Conventional wisdom holds that our two camps’ parry and thrust must serve as an obligatory sideshow at every trade negotiation, reinforcing the notion that commerce and conservation are incompatible.

However, reality and opportunity sometimes intrude upon conventional wisdom. This explains why an unprecedented coalition of free traders and environmentalists has joined forces to call for an end to harmful fishing subsidies worldwide as part of the World Trade Organisation’s Doha round.