FiTI launches its updated FiTI Standard 2.0
The International Board of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative has launched an updated version of its FiTI Standard (2.0), the first major update since the Standard’s initial release in April 2017. The FiTI Standard defines what information on marine fisheries management should be published online by national authorities, how it can be verified, and how it can be used more effectively to inform public debate.
The updated FiTI Standard is the outcome of a more than two-year collaboration between the FiTI International Secretariat, the FiTI International Board, as well as input from international fisheries and governance experts from governments, business, and civil society. The FiTI Standard also underwent a 4-week public consultation phase in November 2025, through which valuable feedback and comments to further enhance the draft version were obtained. This extensive, stakeholder-driven process confirmed the Standard’s status as the global default framework for transparency in national marine fisheries management, while acknowledging the need for refinement.
Several factors have influenced the decision to update the FiTI Standard. A decade after the launch of the first Standard (1.0), the landscape for transparency in fisheries has evolved significantly. New international agreements have raised the bar in terms of what information governments are expected to make public, such as the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. Stakeholder interests and demands for transparency have also increased, like information related to beneficial ownership transparency, for example. FiTI implementations in several countries, as well as our TAKING STOCK transparency assessments, have also produced significant learnings and improvement opportunities.
Consequently, the updated FiTI Standard includes a revised list of core transparency requirements for national authorities. A careful balancing act has informed the thinking behind this in order to ensure that the updated version keeps pace with international developments, while avoiding overburdening implementing countries. The result is an updated list of transparency requirements that builds on those contained in the first Standard, but with improvements to ensure the FiTI’s relevance and impact are strengthened. This list includes information related to national objectives and targets, fiscal management, characteristics and data from non-commercial fisheries, and development finance for fisheries and marine conservation. Also, the updated FiTI Standard aligns its transparency requirements to several international reporting obligations, including the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES).
At the same time, the FiTI Standard 2.0 continues to build on and further strengthen its solid foundation. For example, the FiTI’s principle of progressive improvement is more clearly emphasised and explained in the updated version through its own dedicated section (Part II, section E). Furthermore, the Standard gives greater prominence to National Multi-Stakeholder Groups (MSGs) by addressing the shortcoming of the current Standard 1.1, regarding a clear separation between the role and responsibilities of the national authorities and the responsibilities of National MSGs. The FiTI Standard 2.0 now comprises an improved structure and clarity, which helps national stakeholders to identify their relevant sections more easily: Part I for national authorities, Part II for National MSGs, and Part III for the international governance.
As a result, the Standard remains both ambitious and practical, supporting countries in improving data quality and use, and ensuring meaningful public access, understanding, and participation.
The updated FiTI Standard 2.0 can be downloaded in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese on the FiTI Standard webpage. There, you can also find an overview of the key changes to the FiTI Standard.