São Tomé and Príncipe’s National MSG hosts Partners Roundtable, presents 2nd FiTI Report

FiTI Report Sao Tome and Principe

São Tomé and Príncipe’s National MSG hosts Partners Roundtable, presents 2nd FiTI Report

By Hiliana Silva

The implementation of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) in São Tomé and Príncipe— launched in 2023—has already led to significant progress improving transparency and access to fisheries management information in the island nation.

This is according to the evaluation carried out by the FiTI International Secretariat and the National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), working in close coordination with relevant national institutions and based on data published through the Fisheries Information System (FIS-STP).

The resulting FiTI report—the country’s second, covering calendar year 2024—assesses the country’s progress on fisheries transparency based on the 12 thematic areas defined by the FiTI Standard.

The Report was officially presented to the public on the morning of Tuesday, 31 March in São Tomé. The event was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Mr. Nilton Garrido de Sousa Pontes, and the Minister of Environment, Youth and Sustainable Tourism, Ms. Nilda da Mata, members of the National Parliament, the private sector, civil society, and international partners, creating a platform for dialogue on both achievements and ongoing challenges.

These achievements are largely driven by the strong engagement of the national FiTI implementation structure, which includes the National Focal Point, the National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), and the National Secretariat.

One of the most notable advances is the development and operationalization of the Fisheries Information System (FIS-STP), a platform provided by the FiTI International Secretariat to countries implementing the Initiative. Since January this year, the country has been publishing all available fisheries management data online through the FIS, a major milestone in the organization and open dissemination of fisheries data.

As a result of these efforts, São Tomé and Príncipe now provides a broader set of essential data, including the legal framework for the sector, vessel registries, licensing statistics, number of fishers, catch volumes, economic data on fisheries trade, international fisheries agreements, information on the informal sector, and labor conditions.

Despite this progress, important challenges remain. Following the assessment, the National MSG decided to retain 11 of the 27 recommendations previously made to the Government in 2024. These recommendations aim to consolidate progress and improve institutional capacity, ensuring that quality data is collected, processed, and published swiftly and efficiently to support decision-making processes.

Key areas for improvement include:

  • Availability of up-to-date information on the status of fish stocks;
  • Publication of data on public transfers and subsidies granted to sector operators;
  • Improved data collection and dissemination on the informal sector;
  • Detailed reporting on licensing fees actually paid and revenues generated in the fisheries sector, as well as enhanced transparency regarding inspections, infractions, and sanctions.

This roundtable provided an opportunity for partners to reflect on progress made in the sector, gather input on persistent challenges, and identify practical solutions to strengthen collaborations, all framed around the shared goal of ensuring the sustainable management of marine resources in São Tomé and Príncipe. With the publication of its second report, São Tomé and Príncipe reaffirms its commitment to transparency, good governance, and the sustainable management of its marine resources.

The event was supported by MARAPA, the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the FiTI International Secretariat, and the Embassy of Brazil in São Tomé and Príncipe.

São Tomé and Príncipe’s second FiTI Report can be found here.