Transparency in global fisheries governance: The role of non-governmental organizations

Transparency is generally believed to enhance the capacity of international organizations to solve complex environmental problems. Civil society actors, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) representing non-profit public interests, are often considered to be critical components and drivers of transparency. This article focuses on the role of NGOs in relation to transparency in global fisheries governance, by considering their requests for transparency across twelve Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). It takes a descriptive approach and considers the requests made by NGOs in their policy statements submitted to RFMO Commission meetings. It categorizes these requests across three overarching dimensions of transparency: public participation (1), access to information (2), and access to outcomes (3). It also considers the concerns expressed by NGOs over barriers to transparency. The article ends by discussing the broader implications of these findings in relation to ongoing debates on transparency and effectiveness.