The FiTI focuses on public access to information for 12 thematic areas of marine capture fisheries, such as fishing licenses, vessel registry, catch data, subsidies and beneficial ownership.
Core characteristics of the FiTI
Transparency needs trust! This is why the FiTI is implemented through National Multi-Stakeholder Groups, equally represented by government, companies and civil society.
Transparency requires a two-sided approach: making data available in the public domain, and ensuring that stakeholders can draw reliable conclusions from it.
Countries are not expected to have complete data for every thematic area from the beginning. Instead, public authorities must disclose the information they have, and where important gaps exist, demonstrate improvements over time.
The FiTI does not replace or duplicate existing government systems. Instead, the need for national authorities to develop and strengthen their own systems for collecting and publishing information online is emphasised.
The FiTI International Board undertakes regular evaluations to verify compliance of all participating countries against the FiTI Standard. This covers the provision of FiTI Reports, the meaningful involvement of stakeholders, as well as the impact of the FiTI in the country.
FiTI Standard: Defining for the first time what information on fisheries management should be published online by governments!
The FiTI Standard is an internationally recognised framework that sets clear requirements on what is expected from countries regarding transparency in marine fisheries.
It was developed in a 2-year global consultation process with government representatives from fishing nations, industrial and artisanal fishing entities, civil society and intergovernmental organisations.
FiTI countries:
We contribute to the sustainability of marine fisheries by supporting the following countries to enhance the accessibility, credibility and usability of national fisheries management information.
News, Updates, Blogs
FiTI continues outreach in Jamaica to enhance Caribbean fisheries transparency
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) International Secretariat recently conducted a country mission to Jamaica to strengthen collaborative efforts in fisheries transparency.
OGP workshop marks FiTI’s first mission to Papua New Guinea
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) International Secretariat conducted its first mission to Papua New Guinea on 11-13 December 2024.
Happy Holidays from the Fisheries Transparency Initiative!
As the year ends, it seems like an opportune time to reflect on the past 12 months and what it meant for fisheries transparency endeavours around the world.
FiTI attends launch of anti-corruption HUB in Uruguay
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) International Secretariat recently attended the launch of the Alliance for Integrity’s new National HUB in Montevideo, Uruguay ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day. Hosted by the local UN Global Compact Network, the HUB supports collaboration with the Alliance for Integrity on the Network’s 10th principle, anti-corruption. The UN Global Compact Network […]
Strengthening Fisheries Governance: Collaboration Across Regions
On 19 November 2024, stakeholders from Seychelles and Cabo Verde engaged in a virtual exchange organized for their respective Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) National Leads and Secretariats. This first-of-its-kind meeting facilitated the sharing of experiences and lessons from their FiTI implementation journeys. By focusing on successes, challenges, and shared solutions, the session highlighted the transformative […]
Fiji transparency workshop marks first FiTI mission in the Pacific
FiTI conducted its first country mission to Fiji to meet with fisheries authorities and stakeholders and to participate in a fisheries transparency workshop.
Stakeholders in Tanzanian, Kenyan fisheries recognise need for improved transparency
The FiTI recently conducted a joint country mission to Kenya and Tanzania to build critical connections with stakeholders.
FiTI in numbers:
12
Governments committed to implement the FiTI Standard
11
Annual FiTI Reports published by National Multi-Stakeholder Groups
81
Stakeholders engaged in National Multi-Stakeholder Groups
2
FiTI implementing countries validated for compliance against FiTI Standard
10
transparency briefings (short 'tBriefs') published in English, French, Spanish
11
TAKING STOCK country transparency assessments conducted
Testimonials
In Africa and around the world, fisheries play a crucial role in supporting livelihoods, providing employment and driving social economic development. However, the future of the world’s fisheries is seriously threatened and this global challenge is far greater than any country can handle on its own.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative, with transparency and participation as its cornerstones, makes an invaluable contribution to safeguard what is amongst the most vital resources on the planet.
The government of Seychelles has a clear vision to make Seychelles’ fisheries the most transparent in the world.
We have nothing to hide. We have everything to share.
Reporting and transparency in all resource management has become an important requirement for most countries, and Seychelles is not an exception.
Through the Fisheries Transparency Initiative we are demonstrating our commitment to good governance and the establishment of responsive, inclusive institutions.
This is a tool for future development, and it must be our guiding principle to share all data and information on resources with all stakeholders.
For too long, we’ve been exploiting our resources beyond sustainable levels.
We must act quickly to reverse this trend and help our oceans regenerate. But this can only be achieved if governments, businesses and civil society work together and if more information on fisheries is available in the public domain.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative, with its built-in multi-stakeholder orientation, is a unique effort to enhance the public availability of credible information for the benefit of a more sustainable management of marine fisheries.
Fisheries are a critical economic and nutritional resource for millions of people around the world.
Yet, the sustainable management of fisheries faces multiple challenges. Challenges that corruption exacerbates.
The recent Fishrot Files exposed how anonymous companies allegedly helped launder the proceeds of illegal fishing activities and to bribe government officials. It's a textbook example of how legal loopholes and secrecy jurisdictions enable corruption and environmental exploitation on a global scale. Greater transparency is vital to overcoming these challenges.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative will make a valuable contribution to ensuring that becomes a reality.
Lack of transparency is still a major underlying factor behind many of the most negative aspects of global fisheries, including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, fleet overcapacity, overfishing, harmful subsidies, unmonitored transshipment, fraud, corruption, inadequate or absent fisheries management.
Even after 25 years of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries calling for sustainable fisheries from a multi-dimensional angle with specific aspects involving transparency, basic information still often remains out of the public domain.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative is a notable global effort supported by countries, the private sector, and civil society that presents a real opportunity to foster transparency and increase the credibility and quality of national fisheries information, reinforcing the basic principles of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
Transparency and participation are key elements of good governance.
Through the FiTI, countries can not only demonstrate a clear commitment to good governance for responsible fisheries. It can also improve a country’s investment climate.
We can only address the tremendous challenges that global fisheries are facing in a collective effort, by bringing governments, business, civil society, academia and media together on this important quest.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative makes a unique contribution to the sustainable development of fisheries by setting clear requirements on what is expected from countries regarding transparency and multi-stakeholder participation in fisheries.
I hope that many coastal countries join the FiTI and contribute to a global level playing field of transparency in marine fisheries.