Opening the meeting, the Chairman invited Mr. Akyüz, Chief, FIDI, to describe the present status of FAO's international information facilities. These consist of three types: fish catch and related statistics, the FIMIS field programme management information system, primarily used by FAO itself, and the ASFIS (Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Information System). The last, a mechanized information system, includes a bibliographic service which captures and stores about 1 800 references per year on papers specifically related to mariculture and freshwater aquaculture. This computerized module of ASFIS is at present monitored on various host computer systems including the DIALOG system in USA, the Q/L system in Canada, in France through the DOCOCEAN and in Germany, F.R. through the DIMDI system and available to users that have access to these host computers. Of the information entered in ASFA 65 percent is derived from 5 500 journals regularly monitored for relevant papers on the subject coverage, 20 percent from books, and 15 percent from non-conventional report literature. Through ASFA it is possible to search special subjects, such as finfish, shellfish or algal culture, selected by species, by regions or by countries. Overall, more than 150 000 references related to aquatic sciences are now available on the data base, with an annual growth rate of about 26 000 references.
The ADCP (Aquaculture Development and Coordination Programme) sponsored by FAO/UNDP, starting with the Asian aquacultural lead centres, is developing a computerized system to collect data relevant to aquaculture including bibliographic information from the non-conventional literature. The system, known as AQUIS (Aquacultural Information System) was explained by Mr. Stamatopoulos, also of FIDI. AQUIS aims to cover technical, statistical and economic data on all kinds of aquaculture production systems. Each of the six regional centres will have its own computer facilities and will act as independent input centres. However, eventually all the centres can be linked together through international telecommunication lines and/or exchange of computer tapes so that all centres will have access to all the data.
The system will accept data from experimental, pilot or commercial scale production systems on a global, regional, country, province or farm basis. Staff members of each centre will be trained in selecting, screening, input and retrieval of data stored in the system. Geographical and climatic information, together with hydrological (environmental) characterstics, aquacultural parameters like stocking, harvesting, survival rate, species, feeds, fertilizers, diseases, integration with the agriculture industry and data on the economic setting are included. A user's manual of the AQUIS data base is to be published by FAO for assisting the users to make full use of the system.
Dr. Coche, FIRI, was invited to describe briefly the listings which have been or are now being prepared by FAO of the journals, bulletins and newsietters, proceedings of meetings, bibliogrpahies and books on aquaculture (marine and freshwater).
In the discussion which followed, it was agreed that the systems available for accessing published information were generally good though there are major barriers to their effective use by workers in developing countries. The most important gap is the access to unpublished literature, especially information emerging in developing countries concerning production activities. This is the need which AQUIS is designed to fill.
It was noted that often people from developing countries that attend international and regional meetings are the only ones to have access to recent research papers. The Working Party pointed out that individuals as well as institutions need to receive FAO publications. When sent to national libraries, the documents are not easily consulted by those who should be interested. Many times such publications remain closed on the table of the directors of the institutions to which they are sent. It was pointed out that the addresses of universities or research institutes and other agencies are sometimes wrong or out of date. It was suggested that FAO representatives in each country might be asked to prepare a list of the institutions engaged on aquacultural research efforts.
It was again pointed out that books and periodicals are very expensive. In addition to the need for hard currency, high delivery costs must be included, and often local taxes on imports. These factors, joined to high inflation, reduce the purchasing capability of the universities and research institutions of developing countries.
The importance of extension services in transmitting information to the fish farmers, in collecting production data, and in bringing problems that arise to the attention of researchers, was noted. It is often difficult to attract suitable people into aquaculture extension.
Another problem considered was the difficulty of obtaining production data because farmers, or the institutions concerned, often feel that their own operation may be threatened by its release. The use of national pilot schemes and/or field trials can provide some but not all of the data that is needed. It was noted that services, such as the provision of seed, etc., can sometimes be traded for the required information.
Finally, it was noted that requests from FAO and other international bodies for statistics and other data are sometimes directed to the wrong institutions or individuals. More care in their selection was recommended.
Based on the considerations discussed the following conclusions and recommendations were drawn:
The FAO Fisheries Department needs to improve its distribution of publications by improving its mailing lists and making much greater efforts to publicize its publications and to identify those who most need them. FAO representatives should act as depositories of FAO publications, and should prepare lists of institutions engaged in aquaculture activities.
Internationally supported projects should regularly include funds for the acquisition of key literature and access to existing data bases.
Governments and research foundations should make an effort to improve their libraries and provide information assistance to national workers as part of a national commitment to aquaculture development.
Governments should give special attention to enhancing extension services, and providing better facilities to improve the transfer of experience and information both to fish farmers and from fish farmers.
