On Fisheries Information System!

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