Colombia advances national fisheries transparency agenda

As part of the FiTI implementation process in Colombia, José Vélez Tacuri, FiTI Regional Coordinator for South America, carried out a technical mission to introduce the initiative to strategic stakeholders in the country, strengthen coordination among sectors, and present a work agenda to support Colombia’s advancement from a FiTI Committed Country to a FiTI Implementing Country.

The agenda included meetings—in Bogotá and the Caribbean region—with representatives from government institutions, academia, civil society organizations, and the artisanal fisheries sector. Participating actors included the National Authority for Aquaculture and Fisheries (AUNAP); government delegations from the Colombian Ocean Commission (CCO), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and DIMAR; civil society organizations such as MarViva and ICCF; academic actors such as the University of Magdalena; as well as the Municipality of Santa Marta and artisanal fishing associations from Taganga.

One of the key points of this mission was a meeting with AUNAP, where important progress was made to strengthen Colombia’s national FiTI process and consolidate a roadmap aimed to implement the initiative in the country. During the meetings, participants discussed the importance of advancing the establishment of the future National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), which is a key component of the FiTI Standard that promotes balanced participation among government, the private sector, and civil society.

The meetings identified important institutional strengths in Colombia, particularly related to fisheries information systems, statistical platforms, traceability mechanisms, and technical capacities for control and monitoring. The Colombian Fisheries Statistical Service System (SEPEC) was highlighted in this context, as well as the coordinated work between AUNAP and universities for the collection and validation of official fisheries information.

Additionally, the meetings opened space for dialogue on strategic issues related to access to information, transparency, traceability, fisheries support programs, and strengthened fisheries governance.

The FiTI will continue to work together with national stakeholders to promote the conditions necessary for strengthening fisheries transparency in Colombia. Through multi-stakeholder collaboration between government, the fisheries sector, academia, and civil society, Colombia will continue to advance towards FiTI Implementing Country status and strengthened fisheries governance.