São Tomé and Príncipe becomes 6th FiTI Candidate Country

The FiTI International Board is pleased to announce that São Tomé and Príncipe has been approved as the sixth FiTI Candidate Country globally. The country’s candidacy application was discussed and reviewed yesterday by the Board during its 22nd meeting.

Dr Valeria Merino, Chair of FiTI’s International Board, stated in her official recognition letter to Mr João Gomes Pessoa Lima, Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture: “I am pleased to announce that the FiTI International Board has approved São Tomé and Príncipe’s application of becoming a FiTI Candidate Country. I would like to extend my congratulations to you and the FiTI National Multi-Stakeholder Group for this tremendeous effort and their hard work.”

São Tomé and Príncipe’s application describes in detail the various process steps that were completed by the government of São Tomé and Príncipe and the country’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), including the country’s public commitment to the FiTI, the establishment of the National MSG, as well as the MSG’s Terms of Reference and its first workplan for 2024. The implementation process was supported by the FiTI International Secretariat, based on financial support received from Irish Aid.

As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), São Tomé and Príncipe represents an example of how SIDS can and should move towards improving their fisheries management through transparency and collective action.

The next major milestone for São Tomé and Príncipe will be the launch of its first ever FiTI Report by the end of 2024 (covering calendar year 2023). This report – produced under the responsibility of the country’s FiTI National MSG – will cover a range of fisheries management information, including laws and policy documents, information on the health of fish stocks, fishing access agreements as well as key data about commercial fisheries in São Tomé and Príncipe to support public understanding and engagement in decision-making. The report will also include the FiTI National MSG’s recommendations to help the government of São Tomé and Príncipe to improve transparency over time.

Information regarding the official acceptance letter of São Tomé and Príncipe as a FiTI Candidate Country and the country’s candidate application package can be found here.

Congratulation São Tomé and Príncipe! Bom trabalho.