Colombia promotes fisheries transparency and signs MoU with the FiTI
BOGOTÁ – 26 March 2026. Colombia, through the Autoridad Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca (AUNAP), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), reaffirming their commitment to implement the FiTI Standard. This agreement marks an important step towards strengthening transparency, participation, and accountability in the governance of its fisheries sector, reinforcing the country’s leadership in Latin America in advancing open and inclusive fisheries governance.
The Colombian fisheries sector, spanning both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean is vital to the livelihoods of coastal economies and to the national economy, especially for artisanal fishing communities.
In recent years, Colombia has intensified its efforts to improve access to information, promote public participation and strengthen accountability within the sector, actively involving fishing communities and key stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Under the leadership of AUNAP, transparency and participation have become core pillars of fisheries governance. Current efforts are aimed at building trust, improving interinstitutional coordination, and ensuring public policies respond effectively to the needs of the sector.
William Tepud, Director General of the AUNAP, highlighted, “Colombia’s commitment to the Fisheries Transparency Initiative reflects our determination to strengthen transparency, improve access to information, and build trust among all actors in the fisheries sector. Through the FiTI, we aim to support more informed decision-making, strengthen governance, and contribute to the sustainable management of our fisheries resources.”
According to Nicolás Rovegno, FiTI Regional Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean: “Colombia’s decision to implement the FiTI Standard marks an important step for fisheries governance in the country and adds to the growing progress on transparency in Latin America. Transparency and participation are essential for building trust, improving access to information, and supporting more informed public debate and decision-making in the fisheries sector.”
The FiTI is a global multi-stakeholder partnership that promotes open governance through the implementation of the FiTI Standard. In Colombia, this process will include the establishment of a National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), bringing together representatives from government, industry and civil society.
This group will supervise the implementation and publication of regular FiTI Reports, which will assess the availability, credibility and usefulness of key public information on fisheries management, access agreements, licenses, catches, and other relevant data.
Colombia’s commitment adds to a broader regional momentum, alongside countries such as Ecuador, Chile, and Panama, where transparency is gaining greater prominence in fisheries governance.
With this commitment, 14 countries are now working to implement the FiTI to improve the accessibility, credibility, and usability of national marine fisheries information to ensure the sustainability of this vital natural resource.