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
Madagascar celebrates publication of second FiTI Report
The report, which was first published online at the end of 2024, covers Madagascar’s fisheries management information from calendar year 2023.
Pacific leaders highlight transparency at Honiara Summit
The theme of the summit – “Iumi tugeda delivering on SDG 14.4: Achieving Sustainable Fisheries” – focused on meaningful action and innovation towards achieving SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Seychelles is the first country to achieve ‘Compliant’ status under the FiTI Standard
The results of Seychelles’ second validation underline the progress the country has made towards fisheries management transparency since joining the FiTI.
Fisheries transparency highlighted at EU–Zanzibar Business Forum
The FiTI participated in the 2025 European Union – Zanzibar Business Forum to discuss the importance of transparency in fostering a more investment climate in the fisheries sector.
São Tomé and Príncipe celebrate publication of first FiTI Report
São Tomé and Príncipe’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) celebrated the nation’s first FiTI Report at a seminar on 19 February in São Tomé City. The report, which was first published online at the end of 2024, covers fisheries information from calendar year 2023.
Advancing fisheries transparency in the South Pacific
Fishing authorities from Chile, Ecuador, and Peru recently participated in a high-level discussion to explore ways to enhance fisheries transparency in the South Pacific.
Stakeholders intensify calls for Senegal to join the FiTI
The FiTI Regional Coordinator for Francophone Africa, Mr Mansor Ndour, represented the FiTI in several activities advocating for Senegal’s membership to the FITI. These activities were led by civil society and fisheries professionals as part of a vast advocacy campaign.
FiTI in numbers:
12
Governments committed to implement the FiTI Standard
16
Fisheries information published by National Multi-Stakeholder Groups (e.g. FiTI Reports)
84
Stakeholders engaged in National Multi-Stakeholder Groups
3
Country validations conducted to assess compliance against FiTI Standard
10
transparency briefings (short 'tBriefs') published in English, French, Spanish
13
TAKING STOCK country transparency assessments conducted