The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) is helping to modernize the sector in Guinea and Mauritania, two African nations which adopted it in 2016, according to a press release from its creators.
The Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM) has worked to implement the system in West Africa, aiming to jointly advance transparent and inclusive fisheries; conditions deemed essential to achieve sustainable management of a sector that is vital for the population of the sub-region.
“The sustainability of our fish resources can only be achieved through good governance of the sector, based on principles of transparency and participation. These principles have become our priority, which is why the Republic of Guinea has committed since 2016 to implement the FiTI”, said Fredéric Loua, minister of fisheries and marine economy for Guinea. “Our wish is that Guinea becomes a pioneer of transparency in the sector”.
“Making fisheries management more transparent and inclusive throughout the region can be a key tool to tackle challenges [such as illegal fishing] collectively,” said Peter Eigen, chair of FiTI in Berlin.
According to the workshop participants — representing government, business and civil society from the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone — this need for collective action starts at the national level.
FiTI aims to be a platform that encourages dialogue and helps build trust amongst stakeholders. “We are proud that the FiTI was launched in West Africa”, said Ahmed Senhoury, director of the regional partnership for PRCM. “It is our responsibility to advance this initiative at the highest level.”
