IAMSLIC repository makes papers on aquatic and marine science information accessible

Conference papers and proceedings (1984 - ) from IAMSLIC are available in the Dspace repository hosted by the Woods Hole Scientific Community.

ICT enriches coastal regions of fishermen in India

An article published on Commodity Online describe s the experience of a local orgato virtually turned the tides in favour of the fishing community in Tamil Nadu (India) by making best use of Information & Communication Technologies to reshape the daily life of fishermen.

Brasil: Comunidades de pescadores artesanais receberão Projeto Minibibliotecas

Tecnologias de comunicação e divulgação científica da Embrapa estão sendo colocadas à disposição de parceiros como o Ministério do Meio Ambiente e escolas agrícolas para o estímulo ao aprendizado e à conservação ambiental.

O Projeto Minibibliotecas chegará, ainda este ano, a 200 novas escolas e a 120 telecentros de atendimento a comunidades de pescadores artesanais. Convênios a serem firmados com o Ministério do Desenvolvimento Social e Combate à Fome (MDS) e com o Ministério da Pesca e Aquicultura (MPA) permitirão a chegada do acervo, produzido pela Embrapa Informação Tecnológica (Brasília/DF), a esses novos públicos. Integram o kit títulos de publicações impressas, CDs com o programa de rádio Prosa Rural e DVDs com programas de Dia de Campo na TV.

Cada kit será composto de 205 títulos de publicações impressas, 10 CDs contendo o programa de rádio Prosa Rural e 50 DVDs temáticos do Dia de Campo na TV. O objetivo é oferecer aos profissionais da pesca um leque de opções para estimular a aprendizagem. A meta é beneficiar mais de cem mil pescadores e suas famílias, totalizando 500 mil beneficiários diretos e indiretos. Já as comunidades beneficiadas pelo MDS serão anunciadas, nesta quarta-feira, durante a solenidade em comemoração aos 18 anos da Unidade.

ler o artigo na íntegra

Information sharing for Responsible Fisheries

Underpinning the implementation of the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (the Code), as recognized in Articles 7 to 12, is the need for two broad categories of information: general information about the Code (its goals, coverage, etc.) and specialized and technical information to support research, resource management and use, policy and development.

Many FAO Members, in particular developing countries, have indicated that the lack of access to timely, relevant and accurate information is a serious constraint to the implementation of the Code.

In order to highlight the many issues involved in information and knowledge sharing in the context of the Code, FAO has elaborated Technical Guidelines, paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries. 

This short document summarizes information constraints in developing countries and proposed actions for countries, institutions and donors to address them.

FAO Fisheries information networks
FAO Fisheries knowledge and information

Information and knowledge sharing guidelines for fisheries

A new report from the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department provides technical guidelines on issues involved in information and knowledge sharing in the fisheries sector, paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries.

The Guidelines aim to foster a better understanding of the issues involved so stakeholders can obtain the essential information they need and so they can make available their own information and knowledge for the public good

Topics covered include:

• Fisheries stakeholder groups and the flow of information
  
• Characteristics of fisheries information
  
• Policy frameworks for fisheries information
  
• Access and affordability issues
  
• Finding fisheries information
  
• Generating fisheries knowledge
  
• Publishing fisheries science
  
• Disseminating fisheries information
  
• Availability of fisheries information for future generations
  
• Fisheries information networks and partnerships
  
• Social networking, Web 2.0 and fisheries
  
• Knowledge sharing systems in fisheries
  
• Evolving knowledge sharing networks for fisheries
  
• Evolving collaborative research systems for fisheries eResearch
  

More:

• Bookmarked articles on fisheries information and knowledge sharing
  
• FAO Fisheries information networks
  
• FAO Fisheries knowledge and information

Intercambio de información para la Pesca Responsable

Tras la aplicación del Código de Conducta para la Pesca Responsable de la FAO, de 1995 (el Código), como se reconoce en los artículos 7 a 12, subyace la necesidad de dos grandes categorías de información: información general sobre el Código (sus objetivos, cobertura, etc.) e información técnica y especializada para apoyar la investigación, la ordenación y el uso de los recursos, la política y el desarrollo.

Muchos Miembros de la FAO, en particular los países en desarrollo, han indicado que la falta de acceso a información pertinente y fidedigna en tiempo oportuno es un grave obstáculo a la aplicación del Código.

Con el fin de poner de relieve las numerosas cuestiones relacionadas con el intercambio de información y conocimientos en el contexto del Código, la FAO ha elaborado directrices técnicas, prestando especial atención a las necesidades de los países en desarrollo.

En este documento se resumen las dificultades relativas a la información en los países en desarrollo y las medidas propuestas para los países, las instituciones y los donantes para hacer frente a ellas.

FAO redes de información pesquera
FAO conocimiento y la información pesquera

Échange d'information pour une pêche responsable

L’application du Code de conduite de la FAO pour une pêche responsable de 1995 requiert, comme il ressort des articles 7 à 12, deux grandes catégories d’informations: des informations à caractère général concernant le Code (objectifs, champ d’application, etc.) et des informations techniques et spécialisées pour appuyer la recherche, la gestion et l’utilisation des ressources, les politiques et le développement.

De nombreux Membres de la FAO, notamment les pays en développement, ont indiqué que le manque d’accès à des informations pertinentes, précises et à jour nuisait à la mise en application du Code.

Afin de mettre en lumière les nombreux enjeux liés à l’échange d’information et de connaissances dans le contexte du Code, la FAO a élaboré des directives techniques, en donnant une attention particulière aux exigences des pays en développement.

Ce document présente une synthèse des problèmes d’information enregistrés dans les pays en développement, et les mesures proposées aux pays, aux institutions et aux donateurs pour les résoudre.

FAO réseaux d’information sur les pêches
FAO connaissances et informations sur les pêches

RECOFI Regional Aquaculture Information System online

In March this year, the Regional Aquaculture Information System (RAIS) Web site, created by the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department under the aegis of the Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) went online.

RAIS aims to facilitate the exchange of aquaculture information in the Gulf area among regional experts and stakeholders and to promote and develop a sustainable aquaculture industry.

A recent report summarizes the different steps which have lead to the establishment of the system including actions that should be undertaken by Member countries to consolidate the system to enhance regional aquaculture information sharing and dissemination.

e-consultation: Using ICT in Fisheries and Aquaculture

From 24 November to 7 December 2007, the WorldFish Centre is holding an e-consultation on www.e-agriculture.org. Entitled 'Using ICT in Fisheries & Aquaculture programmes' the aims are to:

• identify and link people who are working with fisheries and aquaculture programmes
• identify examples where ICTs are being used in these programmes
• discuss options for further work in this area.

See more iaald blog items a http://del.icio.us/iaald/fisheries

Tags: agricultural information fisheries ICT

Les TIC au service des communautés de pêche

Les nouvelles technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) sont utilisées dans l'ensemble du secteur halieutique, depuis l'évaluation des ressources, les captures ou les cultures jusqu'à la transformation et la commercialisation.

Étant donné l'énorme potentiel des TIC, Cette note de synthèse a pour but de:

• Montrer comment les nouvelles technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) peuvent s'associer aux méthodes établies pour renforcer les possibilités du développement
  

• Examiner les utilisations et l'impact potentiel des technologies de l'information et de la communication existantes et émergentes dans les pêches et les communautés de pêche
  

• Proposer des stratégies en matière de politique et des partenariats pour favoriser l'accès aux technologies de l'information et de la communication et leur emploidans la gestion des pêches et dans le soutien des moyens d'existence et la réduction de la pauvreté
  

Tags: agricultural information fisheries ICT

Improved access to digitised information in fisheries in the Pacific

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Library and the Marine Resources Division have developed a full text Digital Library which is now available online. This Digital Library will enable users to gain online access to electronic versions (in PDF format) of more than 4300 fisheries and aquaculture-related documents, in French and in English, produced by, for, or in collaboration with SPC.

Search the digital library

Tags: agricultural information fisheries pacific

ICTs benefits fishing communities

A new policy brief from the Sustainable Fisheries Livelihoods Programme (with a West Africa focus) reviews the uses and potential impact of existing and emerging information and communications technologies in fisheries and fishing communities.

It argues that there is an urgent need to focus strategically on ensuring that:

• the exploitation and spread of the new technologies in fisheries is oriented explicitly towards meeting the needs of the poor; and,
  
• the use of new technologies in fisheries is integrated into participative, people-centred communications for development and knowledge sharing approaches.

The brief introduces various existing ICT uses in West Africa - with local cases as illustrations and it gives an overview of the different technologies - radio, phones, internet, etc that are being used.

It also sets out a detailed agenda of actions to be taken by "Governments, agencies and NGOs working with fishers:"

1. Audit their current information programme communications activities;
2. Develop a strategic approach to the integration of information, communication and ICTs;
3. Integrate ICT into fisheries projects and programmes using people-centred and pro-poor approaches;
4. Work collaboratively to support needs-based services and content relevant to fisheries
5. enterprises and fishing communities accessible in terms of language and cultural context;
6. Promote the adoption of modern fisheries specific technologies, ensuring their potential is realized by all communities; and
7. Build multistakeholder partnerships.
   

Read the Policy Brief

Tags: agricultural information africa fisheries

Digital publishing for small organizations

Simon Wilkinson and Jean Collins recently authored a set of excellent guidelines on digital publishing for small organizations.

Published by the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, the guidelines tackle the need to disseminate and share the results of [fisheries] research, especially where reliable, high speed and cost-effective Internet access is limited.

The guidelines are based on the years of experience of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and its partners. The approach is practical in orientation, covering topics including: (a) planning, building and maintaining a sustainable digital publishing system, focusing on a common scenario of setting up a Web site as a digital publishing platform; (b) producing user-friendly digital publications and making them accessible; (c) some recent international developments in digital publishing; and (d) recommended software tools and technical resources for further reading.

Tags: agricultural information fisheries research publishing

IAAMSLIC 2007 Conference

Aquatic and marine science librarians and information specialists will meet in Florida for the 33rd IAMSLIC Conference. Topics on the agenda include:

• Digital archiving, repositories and technology
  
• Author’s rights, open access publishing and open data
  
• Grey literature
  
• Web 2.0, a catch phrase or a new phase for your library?
  
• Natural disasters: is there any way to be ready?
  
• Geographic Information Systems** Threatened habitats (Coral Reefs, Mangroves, etc.)

Tags: agricultural information fisheries iamslic

Aquatic commons

IAMSLIC (International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers), FAO,and other partners are working towards the establishment of a coordinated 'aquatic commons' - to include a digital repository and harvester for fisheries and marine science.

The proposed model includes an 'open access OAI compliant repository' and a 'thematic harvester' offering federated searching across repositories, IAMSLIC’s Z39.50 distributed library, the union database of marine serials, and the ASFA database.

According to the FAO, it will "facilitate the exchange of scientific research related to the marine/aquatic environments by providing a searchable, Web-accessible repository for digital documents. [...] The Aquatic Commons is intended to complement institutional repositories and to collaborate with related subject repositories particularly in developing countries. [...] The repository runs on the EPrints open access software and is managed by contract with the Florida Center for Library Automation, Gainesville, Florida. The repository is managed for IAMSLIC by an Aquatic Commons Board appointed by the IAMSLIC Executive Board."

AVANO is likely to be the official IAMSLIC open access marine and aquatic sciences harvester. Developed by IFREMER - the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea - AVANO offers access to 64000 plus electronic resources on marine and aquatic sciences. It collects bibliographical data of electronic resources (documentation, images, datasets...) available in a group of Open Archives via the OAI-PMH protocol in order to aggregate them into a centralised database. Its Web interface offers centralised viewing of resources disseminated throughout several servers. More information on Avano is here.

Tags: agricultural information fisheries iamslic

Aquatic information specialists to meet in October

From 8-12 October 2006, members of IAMSLIC will hold their annual conference in Portland, Oregon. Bringing people together from "every continent and every ocean", discussion topics include:

The role of librarians as catalysts in narrowing the digital divide - with speakers talking of experiences in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Ongoing regional digital repository projects are also profiled - including the 'ODINCARSA' Latin-American and Caribbean Digital Repository that collects, inputs and disseminates scientific production of member institutions into a digital, web based, and open access repository; and the African 'OdinPubAfrica' e-Repository with content from 14 participating countries.

Beyond these e-repositories, open access projects strongly feature on the programme, including an update on progress in open archives and institutional repositories and a report on a 'Marine Metadata Interoperability' project (that is simultaneously a reference catalog, community builder, tool developer, and technology adviser, using old and new knowledge solutions to describe and create best practices).

Note: the International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC) is an association of individuals and organizations interested in library and information science, especially as these are applied to all aspects of aquatic and marine sciences and their allied disciplines. The Association is currently beginning to implement a strategy to strengthen its 'regional' groups and activities.

Tags: agricultural information marine science aquaculture water fisheries

Aquaculture compendium online

CAB International recently published its aquaculture compendium on the Internet. The compendium focuses on all aspects of aquaculture in the broader context and provides information on the sustainable use of freshwater and saltwater aquatic resources worldwide.

The series of CABI compendia are designed primarily for problem solving and as a reference tool for practical use. They are relevant for use in both developed and developing countries and feature extensive as well as intensive production methods. The aquaculture compendium joins the existing compendia on crop protection, forestry and animal health and production - a coffee compendium is being developed.

Tags: agricultural information cabi aquaculture

Knowledge-sharing strategy for aquaculture in Asia-Pacific

A 2004 paper by Simon Wilkinson, Sih Yang Sim and Yoothana Suansook introduces how the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) has developed and implemented a low cost ICT-based communications network and online community. Visiting the NACA web site today is an eye-opener with the whole presentation framed around online tools and online community - news, publications, forums and rss feeds all feature prominently

The key components of the 'eNACA' strategy are:

• Community driven – participants can contribute to the content of the website, and interact with one another through online forums;
  
• Use of a multi-media approach to repackage knowledge for distribution in a wide variety of formats;
  
• A web-based digital library to store, organize and share full-text publications;
  
• An email newsletter alert service;
  
• A 'free-access' to information policy to avoid financial barriers to participation.

Tags: agricultural information asia aquaculture fisheries

Accessing, sharing and disseminating fisheries information

Recent FAO documents give an impressive insight into the sources and complexity of fisheries information. The 2005 report by Janet Webster and Jean Collins gives an overview of information needs, systems, services and challenges associated with the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The authors conclude the report by proposing several strategies to increase the information capacity of fisheries institutions, enabling them to take advantage of technological developments for accessing and disseminating information cost-effectively over the long term.

This report draws heavily on papers and discussions at a Regional Workshop on Networking for Improved Access to Fisheries and Aquaculture Information in Africa from November 2003. The report contains information on several national institutions, presents 4 country case studies, and elaborates on regional and international collaboration mechanisms. Some of the main topics addressed included: mapping fisheries information resources in Africa, timely document delivery, a union database of fisheries and aquaculture serial holdings in Africa, accessing full-text online journals, disseminating African fisheries and aquaculture publications, facilitating networking among fisheries information centres, and using standards to facilitate information exchange.

Note: FAO hosts an online Directory of Fisheries and Aquaculture Information Resources in Africa as well as an international directory of fisheries, aquaculture and related Internet sites. The fisheries information community meets regularly under the aegis of IAMSLIC.

Tags: agricultural information Africa fisheries aquaculture

Agrarian information resources of the Ukraine

A recent article by Tatiana Deribon gives a comprehensive overview of Ukraine’s agricultural information resources. She uses the terms 'agrarian information' to mean information on agriculture, food, forestry, fishery, water management and aquaculture, environmental protection, and other related issues. Her paper gives an overview of Ukraine's agrarian information generators, lists publishing activities (around 90 serial titles), and introduces the major information resources and libraries of the country (275 plus agricultural libraries).

Tatiana concludes by pointing to the need to define a national leader in the field of agrarian information which should provide a national web portal to all agrarian information resources in the country. She also calls for more effort to harmonize Ukraine’s bibliographic description of agrarian research output with international requirements and for development of a Ukrainian national agricultural ontology joined to that of FAO.