FiTI implementation in Panama:
Authority
Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá (ARAP)
Point
[To be defined]
Secretariat
[To be defined]
Members of FiTI Multi-Stakeholder Group
FiTI Reports
Compliance Validations
Locating fisheries information in Panama
A number of national authorities regulate, promote and enforce measures aimed at the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Panama. The Aquatic Resources Authority (ARAP) is the governing body responsible for ensuring compliance with and the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to aquatic resources, as well as national fisheries and aquaculture policies at the national level.
Other government information for fisheries and marine-related matters can be found here:
Panama’s FiTI Reports
FiTI Reports are joint publications of the country’s FiTI National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and the FiTI International Secretariat. These annual reports comprise an assessment of fisheries transparency as well as recommendations for improving transparency and stakeholder participation in the country’s fisheries sector.
Panama’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group has not yet published its first FiTI Report.
More information about Panama’s FiTI implementation
October 2024 – The commitment to implement the Standard of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) and the FiTI. Panama became the first country in Central America to join the FiTI.
A public commitment demonstrates a sincere intention of the country’s government to increase transparency in fisheries management through the FiTI. However, the commitment should not be misinterpreted as official acceptance into the initiative. Only when such a commitment is followed by concrete implementation activities (such as the establishment of a FiTI National Multi-Stakeholder Group) and the subsequent approval of the country’s application by the FiTI International Board will the country be formally recognised as a FiTI Implementing Country.
Panama has not yet submitted its official application documents to the FiTI International Board. Panama must reach the status of a FiTI Implementing Country by 31 December 2026.
Panama has not yet been validated against the FiTI Standard.
Countries that seek to obtain the status of a FiTI Compliant Country must first reach validation eligibility by demonstrating adherence to the FiTI Standard’s transparency requirements. If deemed as eligible by the FiTI International Board, an independent validation assessment will be conducted on the country. After successfully undergoing its validation assessment, a country is declared a FiTI Compliant country. This status is maintained if the country continues to adhere to the FiTI Standard throughout subsequent validation reviews.
Panama must first reach the status of a FiTI Implementing Country. Afterwards, Panama has five years to reach validation eligibility (in accordance with section H.1 of the FiTI Standard).
Your contact for Panama within the FiTI International Secretariat:
Mr Nicolás Rovegno
Regional Manager Latin America & Caribbean
Relevant posts
- FiTI advances fisheries transparency in Panama, Colombia & across Latin America
- FiTI, fishing industry work to advance transparency in Latin America
- Panama joins FiTI!
- FiTI promotes fisheries transparency alongside IATTC Meeting
- Support for the FiTI in Latin America compatible with Escazu Agreement
- FiTI advocates for greater transparency in fisheries management at Our Ocean 2023
- TAKING STOCK assessment identifies gaps in fisheries transparency for Panama, shows need to implement the FiTI
- TAKING STOCK: FiTI initiates its online transparency assessment of fisheries management information for Panama
