Towards a national fisheries sector management information system

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to design a national fisheries information management system which is capable of integrating all fisheries information in the country. The objectives included to identify critical issues needed in the design of fisheries management Information System for the fisheries sector in Uganda, to identify mechanisms for information gathering and dissemination within fisheries management information system for the fisheries sector in Uganda, to develop an integrated management information system for the fisheries sector in Uganda and to validate the system. The methodology used to collect information from the respondents was the research approach where closed and open-ended questions were used to elicit the data required on the critical issues in the establishment of a national management information system for the fisheries sector in Uganda. Interviews were administered and sampling strategy was applied to obtain completeness of the study. Documentary reviews were done to obtain information on the critical issues considered in the design of a management information system for fisheries. The above methods helped in achieving abjectives (1) To identify critical issues needed in the design of Fisheries Management Information System for the fisheries sector in Uganda and (2) To identify mechanisms for information gathering and dissemination within fisheries management information system for the fisheries sector in Uganda. The objectives (3)To design an integrated management information system for the fisheries Sector in Uganda and (4)To validate the developed system. System analysis was used in analysing the problems within the fisheries sector. System analysis included defining the problem, identifying its causes, specifying the solution and identifying the information requirements that must be met by the system solution. The findings highlighted the following critical data to be included in the design of a national fisheries management information system, current fish species and their estimated numbers, fish marketing statistics which includes number of fish vendors/mongers, numbers of fish sold, Numbers of fish licenses issued by category aid the licensing authority, Data on all aspects of fish by catches, Information on manpower and facilities, Catch assessment data from landing sites, Population statistics of people inhabiting landing sites and engaged in fisheries activities, total fishing output (catches) on monthly, quarterly and annual basis, total numerical figures for gear in user and Research information from research stations and annual fisheries reports. It also suggests a national fisheries website for Uganda revealing information contributed from different stakeholders. Information system should link fisheries field staff at various levels, subcountries, districts, aid center, fisheries resources research institute. It identifies the need to establish modern mechanisms of disseminating analysed information in the fisheries MIS and setting up central data bank that can be accessed by other institutions (stakeholders) on-line.