FiTI signs MoU with landlocked Bolivia to increase fishery transparency

The Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bolivia’s Ministry of Justice and Institutional Transparency to fortify knowledge and compliance with international transparency standards in fisheries management.

“The collaboration with the Bolivian government is clearly unique, due to the country’s status as a landlocked state. Yet, in its capacity as a flag state, which includes a registry of international fishing vessels, Bolivia assumes important rights as well as obligations towards the sustainable management of fisheries,” FiTI said in a press release.

Besides being the first country in Latin America to formalize a cooperation with FiTI, Bolivia is the world’s first landlocked country to commit to the study and understanding of international transparency standards applicable to flag states, FiTI Executive Director Sven Biermann said.

“We are grateful to start this collaboration with FiTI. Bolivia is committed to the use of its flag under principles of transparency to support sustainable fisheries,” Minister of Justice and Institutional Transparency Ivan Lima Magne said during the MoU signing ceremony.

Under the agreement, FiTI and Bolivia committed to joint activities that look to strengthen the understanding of international transparency requirements for flag states, identifying responsibilities and publishing recommendations for enhancing transparency in the management of Bolivia’s vessel registry.

FiTI was established in 2017 with the mission of improving the sustainability of global fisheries by increasing transparency in government management of stocks. FiTI – whose standard is the only internationally recognized framework regarding government transparency for fisheries management – is funded by donors and subscriptions from member countries.

The first country report on fisheries management transparency under the FiTI was published in April by the Seychelles, followed by Mauritania’s first report in May. Compiled to the FiTI Standard, the reports offer information on fishery access agreements, as well as other data clarifying the true state of fisheries in a particular country.

Photo courtesy of FiTI