Madagascar celebrates publication of second FiTI Report

Madagascar recently celebrated the publication of its second FiTI Report on 25 February 2025. The report, which was first published online at the end of 2024, covers fisheries information from calendar year 2023. This milestone underscores the country’s commitment to enhancing transparency in its fisheries sector, ensuring that critical information is accessible to the public and stakeholders alike.

Transparency in the fisheries sector is essential for sustainable management and fair distribution of marine resources. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MPEB) has been actively working to make fisheries data publicly available. With this second report, Madagascar continues its journey towards full FiTI compliance, strengthening trust and accountability in the industry.

Key Advances in Transparency

One of the highlights of the report is the online publication of all national policies and strategies related to fisheries and the blue economy. This provides stakeholders, from fishers to investors, with a clear understanding of the government’s objectives for the sector. Additionally, the report includes summary documents detailing how different types of fisheries can be accessed, along with the fees and charges involved.

A crucial step forward is the clear classification of small-scale and large-scale fishing, as well as the fleets operating in Madagascar’s waters. This distinction is vital for policy formulation and enforcement, ensuring that regulations are appropriately designed for different fishing activities.

Another major improvement is the online availability of the national register of large-scale fishing vessels, now meeting 12 out of 14 FiTI transparency requirements. This significantly boosts public oversight of industrial fishing activities and reinforces Madagascar’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management.

The report also provides comprehensive statistical data on fisheries and aquaculture for 2023, including detailed catch volumes and, in some cases, fishing effort by different fleets. Additionally, trade data on fish imports and exports, compiled with the support of the Directorate General of Customs, adds to the growing pool of publicly available information.

Addressing Challenges and Gaps

Despite these achievements, the report highlights several areas requiring further improvement. For instance, the need for more detailed, disaggregated data—especially from foreign vessels fishing in Madagascar’s waters—remains a pressing issue. Better data collection and analysis on the social and economic benefits of fishing are also essential to understand the sector’s broader impact.

Another key challenge is the assessment of fish stocks. The report calls for an expanded number of stock assessments and the publication of a strategic plan outlining future research priorities. Transparency regarding financial support to the sector is another critical area, with recommendations for publishing details on direct financial transfers and subsidies to fisheries operators. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of compiling a complete list of fisheries projects funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Madagascar’s 2nd FiTI Report reflects the country’s determination to improve governance and accountability in the fisheries sector. By continuing to close information gaps and enhance public access to critical data, Madagascar is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable fisheries management.

For more details, visit the MPEB website to explore the full report and other fisheries-related information.