With the Peruvian Conservation Caucus promoting Bill 1477, aimed at institutionalizing clear transparency measures within the country’s fisheries sector, FiTI and the ICCF Group have been engaging with stakeholders in Peru, providing information and fostering discussions on the importance of fisheries transparency.
For decades, the ocean was seen as an inexhaustible resource – vast, abundant, and beyond the need for regulation.
However, present global challenges such as overfishing, overcapacity, illegal fishing, and unsustainable fishing practices demonstrate that these resources can be depleted without sound management. According to the FAO’s latest State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) report, over a third of global fish stocks are now overfished, with more expected to become over-exploited. This trend, which threatens ecosystems, food security, and the livelihoods of millions, has made it clear that better governance is essential.
Transparency offers a path towards more sustainable fisheries management and improved governance. By enhancing public access to key fisheries data, the health of fish stocks can be understood, resources can be fairly allocated, and policies can be effectively monitored. For example, the United Nations Sustainable Fisheries Resolution (A/79/L.38) explicitly recognizes transparency as a fundamental pillar of effective fisheries management and calls for stronger national policies that promote public access to fisheries data.
Transparency is not just a best practice, it is a prerequisite for responsible fisheries management, as it enables:
- Better governance: Publicly available information strengthens decision-making by ensuring policies are based on the best available data.
- A fairer playing field: Transparency prevents the unfair concentration of resources, ensuring that access to fisheries is equitable and well-regulated.
- Greater public oversight: Coastal communities, businesses, and civil society organizations can participate in and monitor how fisheries are managed.
- Stronger market confidence: By demonstrating a commitment to responsible fisheries management, transparency enhances a country’s reputation in global seafood markets.
Transparency has long been recognized as a fundamental principle for good fisheries governance, with international organizations, agreements, and sustainability initiatives calling for greater public access to information. However, the challenge has often been translating these broad commitments into concrete, standardized actions.
The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) was developed to address the lack of publicly available information in fisheries management by providing a structured and internationally recognized approach to transparency. At the core of this initiative is the FiTI Standard, the only globally recognized framework that defines what fisheries-related information governments should make publicly accessible. It establishes clear, measurable transparency requirements and offers a comprehensive approach that enables governments to move beyond broad policy commitments and implement practical, standardized measures for fisheries governance.
But transparency alone is not enough; credibility and inclusivity are equally essential. To ensure that transparency efforts are meaningful and effective, FiTI promotes a participatory process where government, industry, and civil society collaborate to assess the accessibility, completeness, and reliability of fisheries data. By fostering dialogue among these stakeholders, these efforts strengthen public oversight, informed decision-making, and trust in how marine resources are managed, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and equitable fisheries governance.
To address those issues, the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) and the ICCF Group have been engaging with stakeholders in Peru, providing information and fostering discussions on the importance of fisheries transparency. This has drawn the attention of the Peruvian Conservation Caucus, which has taken a significant step by promoting Bill 1477, aimed at institutionalizing clear transparency measures within the country’s fisheries sector.
This momentum continues to build, as Peru is now reviewing a voluntary commitment to implement the FiTI Standard, a decision that would reinforce its dedication to open and sustainable fisheries management.
With growing global demand for transparency and accountability in fisheries, Peru has the opportunity to lead by example, strengthen trust in its fisheries sector, position itself as a regional and global leader, and secure the long-term sustainability of its marine resources for future generations.
By Nicolás Rovegno, Fisheries Engineer and Master in Marine Sciences, FiTI.
Nicolás Rovegno is a Fisheries Engineer and Master in Marine Sciences, with extensive experience in the fisheries sector. As Regional Coordinator for Latin America of FiTI (Fisheries Transparency Initiative), he has managed to get fishing powers such as Ecuador and Chile to commit to improving fisheries transparency through the implementation of the FiTI Standard, which also contributes to strengthening participation and sustainability. His commitment and leadership continue to drive positive changes in the region’s fisheries.
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