Cabo Verde publishes its 3rd FiTI Report and strengthens transparency in the fisheries sector

The Government of Cabo Verde has consistently strengthened transparency and participatory governance in the fisheries sector since joining the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) in 2020. This commitment has been reflected in, among other milestones, the publication of two FiTI Reports, making a wide range of relevant information on sector management publicly available and helping to identify areas where further progress is needed.

The publication of the third FiTI Report, jointly prepared by the FiTI International Secretariat and Cabo Verde’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), demonstrates a strong commitment to implementing the FiTI Standard and to ongoing efforts to facilitate public access to information in the sector.

For the first time, this report focuses exclusively on assessing transparency based on the analysis of information published by national authorities through the Fisheries Information System (FIS), replacing the previous practice of disclosing fisheries management information through a complementary report. This change ensures broader and more timely access to sector data on a continuous basis through Cabo Verde’s FIS.

The data already published include the national registry of industrial fishing vessels, catch data, information on fisheries access agreements with foreign fleets, detailed data on imports and exports of fishery products, information on subsidies and projects funded by development partners, as well as data on the status of fishery resources and a summary of the legislation applicable to different segments of the sector.

Despite this progress, there are still areas where transparency can be strengthened. Key challenges include the publication of all fisheries access agreements, the regular updating of information on the status of fishery resources, the availability of complete catch data, and enhanced information on sector activities and management.

Based on the transparency assessment conducted by the FiTI International Secretariat for calendar year 2024, and reviewed and approved by Cabo Verde’s National MSG, no new recommendations were issued. There was a consensus to retain 10 of the previous recommendations and to emphasise to the Government of Cabo Verde the need to continue efforts towards the implementation of these recommendations, extending the timeline for their validity and monitoring.

This approach will enable national authorities to continue advancing efforts to strengthen transparency and participatory governance in the fisheries sector, ensuring that progress is consolidated and sustainable in the long term.

The FiTI Report is now available on the website of the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, where data on the fisheries sector can also be accessed through the Fisheries Information System (FIS).