Transparency is key to fisheries, Peter Eigen emphasizes at World Bank Spring Meeting

Events Mauritania Seychelles

Transparency is key to fisheries, Peter Eigen emphasizes at World Bank Spring Meeting

By Sven Biermann
Africa Progam for Fisheries

Peter Eigen, Chair of the FiTI International Advisory Group, was invited to participate in the World Bank’s Spring Meeting side event “Improving livelihoods and creating wealth through sustainable fisheries” in Washington on April 16, 2015 to speak about the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI).

Peter Eigen was joined by a number of key actors from the fisheries sector including:

  • H.E Nani Ould Chrougha, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy of Mauritania;
  • H.E. Jean-Paul Adam, Minister of Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy of the Seychelles;
  • Paula Caballero, Senior Director, Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice, World Bank;
  • Villa Kulild, Director General of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation;
  • Vore Gana Seck, Sustainable Development Advisor to the Senegalese Economic Social and Environmental Council; and
  • Patrick Sayon, Fisherman leader.

The meeting aimed at highlighting the role of the fisheries sector in the sustainable development of national economies. The session was opened by Makhtar Diop, Vice President, World Bank, followed by opening remarks by Paula Caballero. In the discussions, the participants raised a number of issues that exist in the fisheries sector.

During the session, Peter Eigen highlighted the importance of transparency and participation in fisheries from an environmental, economic and social point of view. He also explained how the successes and lessons learned from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative can be inspirational resources for the new Fisheries Transparency Initiative.

Illustrating this point, Peter Eigen emphasized the need for the FiTI to follow a multi-stakeholder process composed of the government, companies and the civil society. Based on this antagonistic cooperation, the FiTI has the goal to contribute globally to responsible fisheries. Peter Eigen concluded by envisioning that the FiTI will play a key role in improving governance in fisheries and helps to maintain marine resources as a sustainable source of livelihood for coastal communities all around the world.