Modern aquaculture, which includes the culture of fish, shellfish (crustacea and molluscs) and plants (algae), is now a major growth sector in world fisheries production. Success in aquaculture development is tied to prudent management of information which ensures availability of appropriate science and technology in forms useful to those who need it. New dimensions of both scientific and economic applications are emerging continuously, and broad-based, efficient transfer and diffusion mechanisms for this information are key requirements if expansion of this industry is to continue.
Aquaculture is undertaken in almost every country in the world, and an immediate need is foreseen for a unified, comprehensive programme for gathering, processing and disseminating information internationally. The UNDP/FAO Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP), whose main objective is promoting and assisting the development of aqua-culture in developing countries, has organized an information system to meet this need. AQUIS, the acronym for Aquaculture Information System, is an integrated set of data files and computer programmes designed to store, process and retrieve selected aquaculture data and bibliographic information.
AQUIS is distinct from existing fisheries information systems, which attempt coverage of bibliographic information on aquaculture from conventional sources. However, these systems do not monitor all information sources, nor can they extract and summarize specific aquaculture production and economic data in formats that are required by governments, aid agencies, banks and other financing agencies, research and development centres, investors, and aquafarmers.
Central to the AQUIS system is the establishment of a data bank comprising "data units" of information describing completed aquaculture operations or projects. Information is obtained from many sources, such as research reports, conventional and unconventional publications, surveys and case studies. Data units are compiled for all types of aquaculture systems, be they experimental, pilot-scale or commercial; extensive, semi-intensive or intensive; to produce any species of fish, shellfish or algae; and in any country of the world.
Each data unit comprises information that is first entered on Input Data Sheets. These must include keyword information related to the aquaculture project, including names of species, location, type of operation and culture system, and country. Other information that is entered in Input Data Sheets if available relates to climatic conditions, water sources and quality, description of culture facilities, stocking and harvesting data, feeds used, disease history, and economic information on capital investment, operating expenses and income. Input Data Sheets, which are available from the participating centres and ADCP Headquarters, are completed and validated by persons with aquaculture experience.
Completed Input Data Sheets are sent either to designated (participating) aquaculture centres or ADCP. Each centre inputs all new information it receives to its own data bank. Periodically (every 2-3 months), participating centres send the newly entered data to ADCP Headquarters for screening and merging with the previous data bank, and receive an updated master file which includes information collected at all other centres. The complete AQUIS data bank, now comprising 1350 data units relating to a range of species in most continents can be searched at any centre. Information is made available on request in the form of printouts of individual data units and/or summaries on production and economic data. Special summaries could also be requested and provided in future to meet user needs.
Bibliographic entries and abstracts from aquaculture-related references are also included in a separate data bank within AQUIS, utilizing and supplementing the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) data bank. Reference lists can be extracted according to culture systems species, scientific disciplines, etc., from the present data bank of more than 12 000 references.
The AQUIS Users' Manual has been prepared to assist participants in completing Input Data Sheets. It does not describe methodology for computer operation to transpose information for use in the data base. This is obtainable separately from ADCP Headquarters in Rome.
The manual is divided into three basic sections. The first provides introductory information, and includes a Table of Contents; Suggestions for Completing Input Data Sheets; Glossary; and Conversion/Abbreviation Table. Secondly, there are detailed instructions and some examples on how to complete each field of the Input Data Sheet. Note that page numbers in this manual correspond with sections (chapters) of the Input Data Sheet. Finally, there are annexes which include a copy of an Input Data Sheet; Keyword lists relating to Level of Operation, Type of Operation, Countries, Culture Species (Plants, Amphibians, Crustaceans, Molluscs and Fish), Culture Operations, and Climate Definitions. There are also samples of computer output from the AQUIS system (complete data unit printout, production data summary, and economic data summary); request form for a new keyword insertion; and request form for a computer search of the AQUIS data base.
For further information on:
(a) services provided through AQUIS;
(b) collection of aquaculture data and supply of Input Data Sheets, and
(c) computer configurations needed to accommodate the AQUIS system contact:
Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme (ADCP)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Via delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome
Italy
Telex: 610219 FOODAGRI
Regional Lead Centre in the Philippines (RLCP)
c/o SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department
P.O. Box 256
Iloilo City
The Philippines
Telex: 29078 SEAFDC PN
Regional Lead Centre in Thailand (RLCT)
RAS/76/003
c/o UNDP
G.P.O. 618
Bangkok 10200
Thailand
Telex: TH 82392
Regional Lead Centre in India (RLCI)
Dhauli
P.O. Kausalyagang
Via Bhubaneswar 2
Puri
Orissa
India
Cables: AQUACULTURE BHUBANESWAR
Asian Pacific Regional Research Centre for Integrated Fish Farming (RLCC)
Wuxi
Jiangsu Province
People's Republic of China
Cables: 3225 WUXI (CHINA)
African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC)
P.M.B. 6165
Port Harcourt
Nigeria
Telex: 61292 ARAC PORT HARCOURT
Centre Regional Latinoamericano de Acuicultura (CERLA)
Rodovia Brigadeiro Faria Lima s/n
Caixa Postal 64
13630 Pirassununga, SP
Brazil
Telex: 0191803 SUDP BR
Inter-Regional Aquaculture Centre (IRAC)
Fish Culture Research Institute
H-5541 Szarvas
P.O. BOX 47
Hungary
Telex: 82496 HALKUTH HUNGARY
