Madagascar officially launches national multi-stakeholder process at FiTI workshop

Antananarivo, 3 May 2022. Today, the government of Madagascar officially launched its national FiTI implementation process during a one-day multi-stakeholder workshop held in the capital Antananarivo. The workshop was attended by around 85 participants, including officials from the Madagascan government, private sector (including both industrial and small-scale representatives), and civil society sector, in addition to technical and financial partners.

Among various pertinent topics, participants were sensitised on the role transparent fisheries management can play in supporting sustainability across the sector, as well as the motivation of the Madagascan government to implement the FiTI and the key objectives, principles, and structure of the initiative.

Group discussions during the afternoon session focused on the status of and road ahead for Madagascar in the FiTI implementation process. Through its FiTI Lead Ministry – the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy – Madagascar is currently working to fulfil the sign-up steps required to submit its Candidate Application to the FiTI International Board, notably by establishing its FiTI National Multi-Stakeholder Group. Submission of Madagascar’s Candidate Application is expected before the end of 2022.

With the longest coastline in Africa (4,828 km), strengthening marine fisheries governance is of vital importance to Madagascar – a country in which fisheries support the livelihoods, jobs and food security needs of thousands of families.

To recall, as part of efforts to achieve this goal, the government of Madagascar publicly committed to join the FiTI in September 2021, via an official letter written by Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Honourable Dr Paubert T. Mahatante.

In front of participants and national media representatives, Minister Mahatante reaffirmed his and Madagascar’s commitment to transparent and inclusive fisheries management during last week’s launch workshop. The workshop was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Amy Hyatt, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Madagascar took the opportunity to extend her congratulations to the Madagascan government for its ongoing commitment to implement the FiTI.

Technical assistance for the workshop was provided by Blue Ventures together with the FiTI International Secretariat, which was represented at the event by its Regional Coordinator for the Western Indian Ocean, Mr. Will May.