Fisheries Information System Research Articles

Bovine milk production in Campeche: prospects and challenges for rural producers' development

Objective: To characterize at the municipal level the productivity of the bovine-milk sector in the state of Campeche, Mexico; to determine the profitability of the sector and to propose improvement schemes in order to add value to the commercialization of the product. Design/Methodology/Approach: From the Agricultural and Fisheries Information System, the following variables were obtained: Production (thousands of L), Price ($ L-1) and Value of Production (thousands of $) from 2006 to 2018. Through multivariate statistics and analyses, the profitability of the bovine-milk sector from 2013-2018 compared to 2007-2012 was determined. The analyses were completed by an interview with 12 milk producers who gave added value through the manufacture of cheeses. Results: A drop in profitability (-8.8%) was found in the sector from 2013-2018 compared to 2007-2012, despite the increase in production of 6.2% that did not compensate for the fall in prices (-14.2%). The regions with the highest productivity were located from the center to the south of the state: Champotón (24.62%), Escárcega (17.36%), and Campeche (16.63%). Study Limitations/Implications: Adding value to the milk commodity is a priority need in the short term, to avoid abandoning the activity, which could compromise the economy of rural producers. Findings/Conclusions: The Mennonite settlements in Campeche have managed to add value to the bovine-milk sector through the manufacture and sale of artisan cheeses. However, the great challenge of the sector is the revaluation of artisan cheeses with market strategies that encourage the consumption of local resources in a context of globalization.

Data Curation, Fisheries, and Ecosystem-based Management: the Case Study of the Pecheker Database


 The scientific monitoring of the Southern Ocean French fishing industry is based on the use the Pecheker database. Pecheker is dedicated to the digital curation of the data collected on field by scientific observers and which analysis allows the scientists of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle institution to provide guidelines and advice for the regulation of the fishing activity, the protection of the fish stocks and the protection of the marine ecosystems. The template of Pecheker has been developed to make the database adapted to the ecosystem-based management concept. Considering the global context of biodiversity erosion, this modern approach of management aims to take account of the environmental background of the fisheries to ensure their sustainable development. Completeness and high quality of the raw data is a key element for an ecosystem-based management database such as Pecheker. Here, we present the development of this database as a case study of fisheries data curation to be shared with the readers. Full code to deploy a database based on the Pecheker template is provided in supplementary materials. Considering the success factors we could identify, we propose a discussion about how the community could build a global fisheries information system based on a network of small databases including interoperability standards.

Analysis of effectiveness of channels for information gathering and dissemination: Case of fisheries stakeholders in Mwanza and Mara regions of Tanzania

The fisheries sub-sector in Tanzania is challenged with limited use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for information gathering and dissemination. Fishers obtain fisheries information from extension officers and their fellow fishers through mainly word of mouth in physical meetings. Despite the growth in access and availability of ICT channels on Mobile phones and Internet in recent years, the fisheries sub-sector decision-makers mainly use conventional media (radio, television, personal communications) in gathering and disseminating fisheries information. Understanding the characteristics of communication channels and their effectiveness in fisheries information gathering and dissemination is of great importance. A comprehensive comparison of the six ICT channels (short message services, cellular phone call, television, radio, mobile application, and website) was done in this study using effectiveness probability. The findings from this study indicated that, short message service (SMS) and cellular phone calls are most effective for fishers. Mobile application, cellular phone calls, websites, and SMS are effective for fish traders and fisheries officers. However, the cellular phone call was not cost-effective compared to mobile applications and websites. This study recommends the development of multi-channel (SMS, web-based, and mobile application) fisheries information system to enhance fisheries information gathering and dissemination process to meet realistic information needs of all fisheries stakeholders.

Bycatch of the Isla del Rosario (Gulf of Salamanca, Colombian Caribbean) artisanal shrimp fishery in an approximation to the biodiversity impact

In the period March 2009-February 2010 the fish bycatch of the artisanal shrimp fishery operating off the beach of Isla del Rosario (Gulf of Salamanca, Colombian Caribbean) was evaluated and length-frequency data analysis were done for five of the main ichthyic species. For this purpose, data registered in the project “Pesca artesanal del Magdalena”, processed in the Fisheries Information System of Invemar (SIPEIN) to obtain fishery variables, on a monthly basis, was used. Between shrimp and fish fauna 38,265 kg were registered. The ichthyic bycatch fauna was composed of 59 fish species, distributed in 23 families, being Engraulidae, Sciaenidae, and Mugilidae the most representative. Regarding the engraulid Cetengraulis edentulus biomass, it was the most important species. Ichthyic bycatch to shrimp relationship was 1.2:1.0 with shrimp beach seine. During the assessed year, the highest mean Landing Per Unit Effort (LPUE) was present in the dry season, but November (rainy season) was the month with the highest shrimp LPUE. The indicators, Lc (mean length) and spawning/juvenile proportion, evidence growth overfishing for the species Bairdiella ronchus , Cathorops mapale , Mugil incilis and Trichiurus lepturus . The state of this fishery and the impact it generates on the ecosystem is discussed. Measures for its proper management are recommended.

A Commentary – Lake Tanganyika fisheries: Current constraints and the way forward

A Commentary – Lake Tanganyika fisheries: Current constraints and the way forward

Международная информационная система по водным наукам и рыболовству — АСФИС/АСФА

Международная информационная система по водным наукам и рыболовству — АСФИС/АСФА

The global information system on small-scale fisheries (ISSF): A crowdsourced knowledge platform

Information about small-scale fisheries (SSF) is often scarce and scattered. This is partly due to insufficient attention on this sector, whose contribution to society is often assumed to be negligible. It also results from SSF being highly diverse, with complex patterns of harvest and post-harvest activities taking place in a wide range of aquatic environments and often in remote areas. Existing fisheries information systems fail to fully capture the characteristics and essence of SSF, resulting in a lack of integrated and up-to-date data, which further marginalizes the sector in policymaking and governance. To help rectify the situation, the Too Big To Ignore project developed the Information System on Small-scale Fisheries (ISSF), a Web-based, open data portal to collect and disseminate knowledge on various aspects of SSF. This paper describes the conception of ISSF and its key features, and presents some results extracted from the analysis of ISSF data, illustrating the importance of such a global database on SSF.

Private provision of public information in tuna fisheries

Private enumeration of landings data and traceability is an emerging phenomena in developing world tuna fisheries. The general goal of these systems is to facilitate compliance with mandatory market requirements such as the European Union’s Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fisheries regulation, as well as support aspirations for voluntary requirements such as the Marine Stewardship Council. The long-term success of these systems appears to be dependent on their ability to complement and extend government data and information systems. Developing and maintaining the credibility of these voluntary private enumeration and traceability systems requires strong market incentives as well as strong state support and assurance. If this credibility can be maintained private fisheries information systems may provide a promising basis for innovative stock assessment and management approaches relevant for complex developing world fisheries such as tuna.

Naming Moroccan fish: when diversity faces standardisation imperatives

The Moroccan national fisheries information system aims at adopting a standard list of common names for fishery products. Thus, the goal of this study is to provide a means structuring vernacular names, which, although in wide use, are highly variable and do not necessarily meet trade requisites. The 138 species considered in this study have 691 vernacular names – an average of five names per species. Large disparities in the number of vernacular names were found between species and among the 16 study sites. Much of this variability is due to pronunciation and syllable adjunction, which do not affect the root name structure. Pronunciation aside, for the most part the analysed variability in vernacular names of fishes is of linguistic origin stemming from four geographic – and thus cultural – groups. The Iberian names, preponderant in the eastern Moroccan Mediterranean, decreased southward in favour of Arabic, Amazigh and French. According to these results, the adoption of a unique standard, if even possible, might encounter resistance to dissemination by the fishermen and local populations. The adoption of two names lists, one for the Moroccan Mediterranean and one for the Moroccan Atlantic, may be a good compromise. Most efforts at standardisation should then be invested at fish markets in order to integrate fish identification and labelling processes prior to selling.

Standardization of Fishing Effort in Qatar Fisheries: Methodology and Case Studies

Regular statistical monitoring of fishing activities is a prerequisite for effective fisheries management. In the case of artisanal fisheries such a monitoring is often exercised by means of sample-based fisheries surveys in which catch and fishing effort (along with other basic variables) are estimated on the basis of samples relating to landings and boat-gear activity. In most cases the fishing fleet is heterogeneous and hence partitioned into boat-gear categories in each of which fishing units have similar characteristics and performance. Under this scheme catch/effort estimates are computed for each boat-gear category separately and independently of each other. It can then be assumed that in each boat-gear category fishing mortality is proportional to the total fishing effort exerted by all of its fishing units operating together. When it comes to measure the combined effect of the fishing operations of the entire fleet to the exploitation of a fish stock, it becomes apparent that adding together effort exerted by different boat-gear categories is not always meaningful without first applying effort adjustment to increase its comparability. There are various techniques for addressing such situations, the commonest of which is known as “standardization of fishing effort”. In Qatar the National Fisheries Information System (NFIS) has recently incorporated effort standardization routines that combine elements of the normalized relative effort (used by the North Sea Round Fish Working Group, ICES, 1980) with those of relative fishing power developed by Robson (1966). The document presents the methodology in use by NFIS for effort standardization as well as case studies using commercial catch/effort data directly obtained from NFIS. It is envisaged that the selected approach will be further refined in order to increase the role of catch/effort data in research and stock assessment applications.

Fishing strategies, economic performance and management of moored fishing aggregating devices in Guadeloupe

Moored FADs (MFADs) have been a key area for development in Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles) since the late 1980’s. The main objectives underpinning the development of MFADs were to (i) reduce fishing pressure on coastal fishing resources; (ii) boost fishermen’s incomes; and (iii) increase local consumption of locally generated fishery products as a proportion of overall consumption. This paper gives an overview of the current structure of Guadeloupe’s fishing fleet and fisheries, with a specific focus on MFAD fleets in a relatively unstructured environment with regard to regulation, and so how these fleets operate in a context of unrestricted development of private MFADs. In addressing the following key issues, this paper aims to: assess the economic performance of fleets operating on MFADs, understand why the MFAD fishing activity has not developed more than it has, and suggest how better MFAD management could improve the situation. Socio-economic information on a trip and fleet level basis were collected and stored on a fisheries information system to analyse the relative attractiveness of MFAD fishing and assess the overall economic performance of MFAD fleets as compared to other non-MFAD fleets. Non-monetary variables were also tested to explain the degree of dependence on MFADs. In 2008, economic returns from FADs were relatively low, both in terms of wages for the crews and in terms of profit for vessel owners. Earnings were higher than coastal fishing activities, but seem to have been very sensitive to the indicators used in our analysis. MFADs are expected to become much more attractive as a result of MFAD regulation, especially through the establishment of collective MFADs.

Some operational uses of satellite remote sensing and marine GIS for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture

Abstract Saitoh, S-I., Mugo, R., Radiarta, I N., Asaga, S., Takahashi, F., Hirawake, T., Ishikawa, Y., Awaji, T., In, T., and Shima, S. 2011. Some operational uses of satellite remote sensing and marine GIS for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 687–695. An overview of satellite remote-sensing (SRS) operational applications in fisheries is presented, and includes two case studies illustrating the societal benefits of SRS. The first describes the use of satellite-based vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and SRS data in a skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) fishery, including a simple algorithm for determining fishing activity from vessel speed. The second case study illustrates the application of remotely sensed information in determining the impact of climate change on site suitability for scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) aquaculture. Global warming simulated according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios had a significant impact on sites with the greatest suitability for scallop aquaculture. Some challenges in the field of fisheries information systems are also discussed.

Challenges and difficulties of cooperation between fisheries information systems—Experiences in six West African developing countries

Using as example the area covered in West Africa by the countries of the Sub Regional Fisheries Commission and their EEZ, the authors describe the main characteristics of existing fisheries Information Systems (IS) and the difficulties encountered with these. The two objectives of the conservation of marine ecosystems and of good management of activities related to fishing seems to be driving the development of IS in opposite directions, respectively, toward large scales, and toward national and local scales. It appears that this divergence can be dangerous for both sides and cooperation between the two movements of developing IS must be the subject of increased attention. Solutions of a technical nature and possibilities of good institutional practices do exist and could allow this cooperation between IS to finally see the light of day.

Need for a National Fisheries Information System

Describes the importance of information for the development of fisheries sector and its contributions to the Indian economy. Stresses the need for establishment of National Fisheries Information System with the ICAR Head Quarters being the central coordinating unit, for the benefit of research workers, policy makers and administrators in the field of Fisheries Sciences. Databases on bibliographical information i.e. published research, ongoing research, etc. have to be created. The development of such a National Information System requires decentralization and the cooperation of other institutions and organizations in the country but also requires active support and cooperation from international agencies and developed nations. The services to be offered by the system are also highlighted.

Visualization for fisheries management from a spatiotemporal perspective

Visualization is a very potent tool in the provision of decision support in fisheries information systems. Fisheries management involves distinct groups of participants with a common purpose but different perspectives on strategies to be pursued and the information required for effective management. This paper discusses the visualization capabilities of FishCAM2000 (FC), which is a computer-based integrated information system for fisheries management and marine environmental monitoring. The design of FC is modular, and comprises a real-tune, on-board data capture component, resource management, and analysis modules for fishermen, regional and national fishery managers, plus modeling and analysis toolkits for scientists involved in longer-term stock prediction. In developing FC, particular attention has been paid to structuring the system's architecture so that a range of visual spatiotemporal graphics can be produced by all groups of users. It is also necessary to link the base data set derived from the mandatory logbook data to other marine data sets for biotic and abiotic variables to enable multivariate modeling and analysis of the marine environment. The visualization capabilities of FC are an integral part of all the analytical functions. (C) 2002 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

Towards an Integrated Fisheries Information System in Malaysia

Previous articleNext article No AccessThalassoramaTowards an Integrated Fisheries Information System in MalaysiaNik Mustapha R. AbdullahNik Mustapha R. Abdullah Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Marine Resource Economics Volume 10, Number 3Fall 1995 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/mre.10.3.42629594 Views: 3Total views on this site Citations: 1Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright © 1995 Marine Resource FoundationPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Hoong Sang Wong, Chen Chen Yong Fisheries regulation: A review of the literature on input controls, the ecosystem, and enforcement in the Straits of Malacca of Malaysia, Fisheries Research 230 (Oct 2020): 105682.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105682

Marine information: The circulation, ebb and flow of an international resource

Gives an overview of marine scientific information and library services at local, national, regional and international levels. Discusses the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System (ASFIS) and other international co‐operative programmes designed to improve information flow and exchange, and describes the activities and services of six regional networks. Identifies gaps and deficiencies in currently available services, and considers prospects for the future.

Networking activities in Southeast Asia

This paper is confined to a discussion of networking activities in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) comprising the states of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Three key factors can be identified as having had a great impetus towards the creation of regional networks, viz.: structural changes in the economies of ASEAN; improvements and growth in the telecommunications and computer industries; realization that information is a strategic resource and that there is a need to achieve some degree of independence in the provision of information. To simplify discussion, networks in ASEAN are discussed under two main headings: library-based networks and subject networks. Within each category, differentiation is made between regional and national networks. The regional networks discussed include the NLDC-SEA (National Libraries and Documentation Centre-Southeast Asia) Consortium and its SEAPRINT Project, AGRIS, fisheries information systems and networks, and APINMAP (Asian and Pacific Information Network on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants). Most of the national networks mentioned are those located in Malaysia and Singapore, and include library networks such as MALMARC (Malaysian MARC system) and SILAS (Singapore Integrated Library Automation Service) as well as a large number of commercial networks providing legal, credit, business and financial information services. Some of the issues and problems relating to regional networks are briefly discussed. These include the adoption of standards, transborder data flow, the language of communication, financial problems and resource limitations. The paper ends with a short note on the appropriateness of the network as a vehicle for the cooperative collection, organization, processing and dissemination of information in the light of current developments in information technology.

Science for Canada’s Fisheries Rehabilitation Needs

A brief, generalized review of the current status of salmonid fisheries on the west and east coasts, and of selected representative waters in the freshwater area is presented. It is concluded that many fish communities and/or fish stocks are depressed, collapsed, or extinct as a result of severe stresses imposed directly, or indirectly, by man’s activities. Rehabilitation of fish stocks and fish communities to levels approximating those of early years, and to levels capable of supporting more stable yields to meet growing client requirements appears practical. The need for explicit policy decisions with regard to sea ranching and rehabilitation as options for approaches to increasing fish abundance is stressed. Rehabilitation of stocks and communities will require additional science in areas such as hatching, rearing and selective breeding, fisheries engineering, and in the more precise definition of natural productive capacity of waters. Effective fisheries rehabilitation programs, and fisheries management generally, require: development of fisheries information systems; an adaptive or experimental approach; more social and economic data; synthesis and communication of science available; and fundamental reconsideration of the traditional institutional arrangements for fisheries work. Some important fisheries rehabilitation programs, carefully planned and assessed, can proceed immediately with confidence in their success; others must await improvement in water quality.