International students explore collective action through FiTI

Students from Europe and Latin America explored the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), the FiTI Standard and its multi-stakeholder approach to advancing sustainable fisheries management during an online class at the University of Montevideo in Montevideo, Uruguay. FiTI Validation Coordinator Dorothea Garff was invited by Professor of Business MSc Fernanda Nan to explain how the FiTI addresses global challenges in the fisheries sector, including gaps in transparency and inclusive governance. She highlighted that policymaking at both global and local levels, when not grounded in reliable data, undermines the sustainability of the sector and affects all relevant stakeholders.

The students – business majors studying in the “Global Sustainable Business” programme – showed great interest in innovative and alternative approaches to tackling global challenges, including climate change, overexploitation and pollution.

Ms Garff emphasised that lasting improvements in marine fisheries management are only possible by bringing all affected stakeholders to the table and giving them a voice in oversight and recommendations to their governments. The FiTI provides a clear framework for establishing representative Multi-Stakeholder Groups (MSGs) and defining rules to progressively enhance transparency in marine fisheries.

Through the example of the FiTI, students learned that organisations across sectors – whether business, public institutions or governments – can contribute to creating a more sustainable environment by engaging with other stakeholders, even when they have conflicting objectives and interests.