FiTI, fishing industry work to advance transparency in Latin America
Lima, Peru – The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) participated in the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the Latin American Alliance for Sustainable Fisheries and Food Security (ALPESCAS), held in Lima on April 24-25, 2025. ALPESCAS is a prominent regional alliance of private-sector, large-scale fisheries associations representing Latin American coastal countries. These associations are dedicated to advancing sustainable fishing practices and food security across the region.
Mr. Nicolás Rovegno, the FiTI Regional Coordinator for Latin America, delivered a presentation highlighting the FiTI’s commitment and significant progress in promoting fisheries transparency in the region. Mr. Rovegno emphasized active collaborations already established with ALPESCAS member countries Ecuador, Chile, and Panama, all of which have officially committed to implementing the FiTI Standard. Coordination efforts with other ALPESCAS member countries are also actively underway, promising broader regional impact.
During his presentation, Mr. Rovegno highlighted the crucial role of the fishing industry and the private sector in promoting enhanced transparency. He articulated that greater transparency not only supports sustainability but also can promote operational efficiency and market competitiveness. This increased transparency can enable businesses to mitigate risks, enhance their reputation, and ensure long-term economic viability.
A major milestone from this meeting was the issuance of the “Lima Declaration” by ALPESCAS, which recognizes FiTI’s vital role and calls on authorities to “promote transparency and access to fisheries information, aligned with international standards such as the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI)”. It further urges enhancing sustainability while maximizing benefits for artisanal fishers, industrial fisheries and other formal actors. This explicit endorsement underlines transparency’s pivotal role in promoting sustainable fisheries management. It also lays the groundwork for stronger governance frameworks that include fisheries sector representatives.
The FiTI’s presence at the ALPESCAS meeting underscores a significant regional step towards greater transparency and accountability in fisheries. The region’s large-scale fisheries associations have urged governments to commit to implement the FiTI Standard and act.
