Fiji, Sept. 15 -- Fiji has become the first Pacific Island country to commit to implementing the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) Standard, a move the Government says will strengthen accountability, fisheries management and protection of the country's marine resources.

Fiji Fisheries Minister Alitia Bainivalu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FiTI Executive Director Sven Biermann in Rome, where she attended the 37th Session of the Committee on Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO COFI37).

Bainivalu said the agreement marks an important step towards full implementation of the FiTI Standard, which aims to make fisheries information more accessible, credible and easier for the public...