Comoros inaugurates National Multi-Stakeholder Group

The Union of the Comoros, with support from the Fisheries Transparency Initiative’s (FiTI) International Secretariat, recently reached an important milestone: bringing together national authorities, fishing sector representatives, civil society, and international partners to establish and inaugurate a National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG).

Fisheries are at the heart of the Comorian economy and culture. Across the archipelago, thousands of households depend directly on fishing for income and food security. At the same time, pressures on marine resources are increasing, making transparent and inclusive decision-making more important than ever. Against this backdrop, the FiTI International Secretariat conducted a mission to Comoros focused on building the foundations for long-term transparency and cooperation with the newly established National MSG and national and international partners.

The National MSG is designed to facilitate the effective implementation of the FiTI in Comoros, ensuring that transparency is not driven by a single institution, but shaped collectively. The National MSG brings together representatives from three key constituencies. Government members include officials from the ministry responsible for fisheries, the Directorate General of Fisheries Resources, and the Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre. The fishing sector is represented by the National Fisheries Society, a fishers’ association, and the Chamber of Agriculture and Fisheries. Civil society is represented by the University of the Comoros, the National Fishers’ Union, and the Union of Fishers’ Cooperatives. Together, these actors form a platform for dialogue, oversight and shared responsibility.

High-level meetings in Moroni complemented the inauguration. Discussions with national authorities and partners focused on how FiTI can support existing fisheries policies and reform efforts, clarify roles and expectations for the National MSG, and promote a culture of progressive improvement. Rather than expecting perfect data from the outset, FiTI encourages countries to disclose what is available, identify gaps, and demonstrate progress over time an approach that resonated strongly during the exchanges.

The mission also included exchanges with international partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). These discussions explored how FiTI can align with ongoing technical assistance, data collection, and capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that transparency efforts are practical and mutually reinforcing.

Critically, engagement during the mission extended beyond the capital. A visit to Anjouan provided an opportunity to hear directly from regional authorities and local stakeholders about island-level realities. These conversations underscored the need for fisheries information to be accessible and relevant to those most directly affected, particularly small-scale fishers.

A dedicated meeting with stakeholders in Dahari further highlighted the vital role of civil society in bridging national processes and community-level action. Civil society organisations play a key role in supporting engagement, accountability, and the effective use of disclosed information.

The country mission reflected the growing momentum for fisheries transparency in the Comoros. With the National MSG now formally established, the FiTI will continue to focus on turning commitments into action, laying the groundwork for more transparent, inclusive and sustainable fisheries governance across the nation.