Comoros Commits To Transparency In Tuna Fisheries

Comoros has committed to implementing the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) and is taking a step forward to making its tuna-rich fisheries transparent. The African nation’s Fisheries Minister, Houmed M’Saidie, conveyed this in an official letter to Valeria Merino, Chair of the FiTI International Board. M’Saidie explained: “We are firmly convinced that optimal exploitation of fisheries resources for economic growth cannot be achieved without transparency and the participation of various stakeholders.” National flagged vessels catch skipjack and yellowfin in the Comoros EEZ. A big part of the schematic migration of yellowfin in the Indian Ocean takes place in the Comoros EEZ mainly between April and June.

The EEZ of Comoros, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is an estimated 160,000 km² and is approximately 100 times larger than its land area. The sector’s capture is mainly composed of tuna and tuna-like species, with an annual catch estimated at 33,000 M/T, read a statement from FiTI. This new partnership is expected to enable better management of marine resources, promote sustainable tuna fishing practices, and enhance the livelihoods of local communities that are dependent on fisheries. It will also make information on vessel registry and catch statistics public which helps combat IUU fishing.