São Tomé and Príncipe is strengthening transparency in its fisheries sector by updating its Fisheries Information System (FIS) and building the capacity of the national team responsible for managing the system. The FiTI International Secretariat is leading the initiative in partnership with the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Transparency plays an important role in the responsible management of marine and fisheries resources. São Tomé and Príncipe uses the Fisheries Information System (FIS) as its official online platform for publishing information on the country’s fisheries sector.
The FIS gives citizens, civil society organisations, researchers, fisheries professionals and other stakeholders access to information on fisheries governance. The platform also supports the implementation of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) by making fisheries information more reliable, accessible, organised and easier to keep up to date. By improving public access to fisheries information, the system supports greater accountability and allows stakeholders to take part in discussions about the management and use of marine resources.
The updated FiTI Standard introduces additional transparency requirements based on lessons from its implementation across different countries and developments in international practices for fisheries governance and transparency. The new requirements aim to improve the quality and range of information that countries publish while ensuring that the reporting process remains practical for national authorities.
For São Tomé and Príncipe, the update provides an opportunity to build on the work already done to improve fisheries information. It also allows the country to strengthen how information on its fisheries sector is collected, organised, managed and shared with the public.
To support this work, the FiTI International Secretariat met with members of São Tomé and Príncipe’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group and the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture to review and update the country’s Fisheries Information System.
The work focused on identifying, collecting, organising and gradually adding new fisheries information required under the FiTI Standard. The goal is to ensure that the system provides the information required under the new standard and that the public can access and understand the information on the country’s fisheries sector.
The process goes beyond updating a digital platform. It strengthens the way São Tomé and Príncipe manages and shares information about its fisheries and marine resources. Better access to this information can help government institutions, fishing communities, private sector operators, researchers, civil society organisations and citizens understand how fisheries resources are managed and take part in discussions about the future of the sector.
By improving the availability of fisheries information, São Tomé and Príncipe is supporting more informed management of its marine resources and strengthening accountability across the fisheries sector.
source:maritimafrica.com
