According to fisheries information analyst Hiliana Silva, the creation of the Fisheries Information System (FIS) represents, in practice, widespread access to information in the fisheries sector, which was previously restricted even to state institutions, and is now accessible to everyone.
“With this platform, any citizen, whether from public institutions, civil society, or the general public, can consult data related to the sector,” said Hiliana Silva.
The analyst also stressed that the platform provides information on current legislation, the number of vessels authorized to operate in Cape Verde (both national and international), catches, labor standards, as well as information on trade, import, and export in this sector.
According to her, public access to the platform will strengthen governance in the sector, promoting greater transparency and participation from civil society.
“It is a way for the country to show that it is transparent in providing data, information, and documents,” she said, adding that access to information allows for more participatory governance.
The presentation of the FIS website was accompanied by a training session held from the 27th to the 30th of this month, aimed at equipping participants with the skills to manage the system, as well as to enter, update, and validate data.
This training involved staff from the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the General Inspectorate of Labour, the Institute of the Sea, the General Inspectorate of Fisheries, the Maritime and Port Institute, and the National Directorate of the Environment.
Regarding the data entered on the platform, Hiliana Silva stated that it is from 2024, and that from February 2026 onwards, data relating to 2025 will be introduced, allowing for real-time updates.
“The data we have on this platform corresponds to 2024 data, but now, from February onwards, the technicians who received this training will enter 2025 data, allowing for real-time updates,” she explained.