Ecuador enhances fisheries transparency with 2nd FiTI Report

Ecuador continues to demonstrate its leadership in fisheries transparency across the Americas with the publication of its second FiTI Report. The nation continues to make steady progress on implementing the FiTI Standard and strengthening the mechanisms that improve public access to fisheries information, mechanisms which are essential for more transparent and participatory sector governance.

This new report, jointly published by the FiTI Ecuador National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and the FiTI International Secretariat, shows a concrete improvement in the implementation of the FiTI Standard and the efforts from the fishing authority to increase the availability of public information. Information on vessels, fishers, catches and employment is now publicly available, covering both the continental and insular territories.

In addition, the fisheries authority has reaffirmed its commitment and stated that it will continue publishing more fisheries-related information online, with Ecuador’s Vice Minister of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Ivanova Cereceda stating: “The publication of this second FiTI Report reflects our commitment with transparency. We have built a traceability standard in the fisheries sector that is now recognized internationally, the result of sustained efforts by the State and the productive sector. We also have the responsibility to communicate it clearly. Transparency not only strengthens the responsible management of our resources; it also enhances the country’s reputation, builds trust in our products, generates benefits for our fishers, and positions Ecuador as a strong actor in governance and sustainability.

This new assessment found that the availability of fisheries information has also improved. The assessment process helps consolidate a participatory approach where public institutions, the private sector, and civil society jointly analyse existing information, identify gaps, and agree on recommendations to strengthen transparency on a progressive basis. As a result, 18 recommendations have been prioritised based on the gaps and opportunities identified.

The second assessment cycle also introduced a clear distinction between the assessment of transparency and recommendations, and the systematisation of available fisheries information through a specialised report. The final documents were reviewed by the members of the FiTI Ecuador NMSG and approved for publication. This reflects the commitment of the actors involved to sustain informed debates, which in turn strengthens participation and governance.

Nicolás Rovegno, FiTI Regional Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean, noted that “the value of this second report lies not only in the information that is published, but in the dialogue that is generated around it. The National Multi-Stakeholder Group creates a space where different actors can sit together to analyse the available information, compare perspectives and build agreements, strengthening participation and fisheries governance.”

The publication of this second FiTI Report also sits within the broader context of Ecuador’s leadership on the transparency agenda. As part of its Third Open Government Action Plan, the country has reaffirmed its commitment to continue implementing fisheries transparency initiatives by incorporating a new commitment aimed at giving continuity to the FiTI process and deepening the improvements achieved. This connection reinforces the institutionalisation of fisheries transparency as a public policy based on participation, access to information and continuous improvement in sector governance.

Overall, Ecuador’s second FiTI Report reflects the nation’s commitment to transparency, with tangible progress, increasingly structured multi-stakeholder participation, and a clear roadmap to further strengthening public access to relevant fisheries information at both the national and regional levels.

Both the Annual FiTI Report and the Fishery Information Report can be found on the Ecuador Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries’ FiTI Ecuador website.