Healthy fishing grounds are the basis of work, trade and food for millions of people along the world's coasts. Managed sustainably, fish as a renewable resource can also benefit future generations and thus contribute to inclusive growth and social stability.

The importance of the fisheries sector is also reflected in the current version of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 14 is: "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development." [More]

Transparency is particularly important for this. One of the main problems in commercial fishing is the secrecy or inadequate provision of information regarding fishing agreements, fishing quotas and techniques etc. Only if this secrecy is ended will it finally be possible to assess whether a country's fish resources are being managed and utilised for the benefit of all.

From May 2017 to December 2019, the Berlin Governance Platform provided the International Secretariat of the FiTI and supported various countries in implementing the FiTI standard.

At the request of the Seychelles government, the International Secretariat was transferred to the Seychelles at the beginning of January 2020 and institutionalised there. Since then, FiTI has established itself as an independent multi-stakeholder partnership and is committed to sustainability and a level playing field in marine fisheries worldwide.

Further information on the Fisheries Transparency Initiative can be found at here.