Liberia has officially been approved as a Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) Implementing Country, marking a major milestone in the Government’s efforts to promote transparency, accountability, stakeholder participation, and responsible governance in the fisheries sector.
The FiTI International Board approved its review of Liberia’s application and confirmed that the country had fulfilled the requirements under Section C of the FiTI Standard.
The Board also commended Liberia for completing the process within the agreed timelines and through a professional, participatory, and inclusive approach.
Liberia’s achievement comes just 13 months after the country publicly committed to joining the FiTI, demonstrating the strong commitment of the Government of Liberia, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), civil society, private-sector representatives, fisheries stakeholders, development partners, and other national institutions to strengthening transparency in the management of Liberia’s marine fisheries resources.
The new status provides an important foundation for Liberia to improve the disclosure and accessibility of fisheries information, enabling stakeholders and the public to better understand how the country’s fisheries resources are managed.
It also reinforces Liberia’s broader commitment to sustainable fisheries management, accountability, good governance, and responsible stewardship of marine resources.
Following its approval as an Implementing Country, Liberia’s next major milestone will be the publication of its first FiTI Report in accordance with Section D.1 of the FiTI Standard.
Liberia’s National Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG), working in collaboration with the FiTI International Secretariat, is required to publish the first report within one year of the country achieving Implementing Country status. The report is therefore expected to be published by August 2027 and will cover information relating to the 2026 calendar year.
Thereafter, Liberia will be required to publish FiTI Reports annually as the country progresses toward Compliance Eligibility under Section H.1 of the FiTI Standard.
The FiTI International Board has congratulated the leadership of NaFAA, Liberia’s National Focal Point, Mr. Austin Saye Wehye, and members of the National Multi-Stakeholder Group for their contributions to the successful completion of the FiTI process.
NaFAA recognizes that Liberia’s achievement is the result of a collaborative national effort involving government institutions, civil society organizations, private-sector representatives, fisheries stakeholders, development partners, and other partners committed to improving governance and transparency in the sector.
The approval of Liberia as a FiTI Implementing Country represents another important step in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the management of its marine fisheries resources.
Through continued collaboration, transparency, and meaningful stakeholder participation, Liberia is working to build a fisheries sector that is more accountable, sustainable, and beneficial to present and future generations.
NaFAA welcomes the FiTI approval as a significant foundation for advancing fisheries transparency and strengthening public confidence in the management of Liberia’s fisheries resources.
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