Fisheries
Information Systems play a central role in providing support to better
management aimed at ensuring a correct balance between fishery resource
conservation and its economic benefits. With increasing pressure on our oceans,
there is a constant need for data that supports sound science and effective
management of our living marine resources.
The
Ministry of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters recently
launched its new website and Fisheries Information System (FIS). FIS basically
seeks to improve country’s ability to effectively manage their living marine
resources. It is also designed to improve the Ministry’s capacity and help it
its online strategy with the ultimate objectives of controlling its own public
relations, dissemination to collecting fisheries data electronically.
Therefore,
FIS would undoubtedly enhance availability of fisheries information and ensure
transparency in the sector, thereby contributing to sustainable development of
world fisheries as enshrine in the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals.
As
we all know the demand for statistical information relating to fisheries has
undergone a significant increase over the last few years. The development of
this Fisheries Information System would help the ministry a great deal in its
operation, as it would boost operational efficiency within departments and even
with stakeholders.
The
new system when fully in place will help bridge data gaps and enhance data
quality, data integration as well as ensure effective coordination and
communication in the design, collection, and uses of data.
We
have to embrace the new system to be at par with international standard. We are
optimistic that the new system will be used as catalyst to spur more
development especially in the collection of vital information for national
development.
We
also wish to commend the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources and its
partners for taking this bold initiative in championing such a timely project.
“
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they
are after.”
Henry
David Thoreau
