FiTI starts cooperation activities with Bolivia to strengthen transparency for its vessel registry
La Paz – 20 August 2021. Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Bolivian Ministry of Justice and the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), a first workshop was held on August 20 as part of Phase I of the Memorandum. Although Bolivia is a landlocked country, it has an extensive international registry of vessels, and due to this the government decided to collaborate with the FiTI to strengthen knowledge and compliance with international standards of transparency in fisheries management.
The event was held in the hall of honor of the Ministry and was attended by authorities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Defense and directors of the International Registry of Vessels of Bolivia, the Directorate of Bolivian Maritime Interests and numerous professionals from the Ministry of Justice.
At the workshop, the FiTI Regional Coordinator for Latin America, Mr Martin Zapata, explained the FiTI Standard and its relevant principles that flag states could follow to promote sustainable fisheries.
The vessel registry officials affirmed that the objective of their organization is to promote Bolivia’s maritime interests, for which transparency is fundamental. The Vice Minister of Transparency, Dr Susana Ríos, expressed her satisfaction for the start of activities with the FiTI that will contribute to position Bolivia as a leader in the Latin American region in promoting transparency in fisheries management, despite not having access to the coast.
This first cooperation activity lays the groundwork for subsequent actions within the MoU, including the identification of responsibilities and transparency recommendations for Bolivia as a flag state.
