MedStat 2011 Fishing Vessel Census - Census Design and Implementation

MedFisis Technical Document

MedStat 2011 - Fishing Vessel Census

Census design and implementation

By
Salvatore Coppola
Alicia Mosteiro
and
Matthew Camilleri

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome 2011

ABSTRACT

Coppola, S.; Mosteiro, A. and Camilleri, M.
2011. MedStat 2011 - Fishing Vessel Census; Census design and implementation.
GCP/INT/918/EC/MedFisis - MedFisis Technical Document, 95 pp.

The MedFisis (Mediterranean Fishery Statistics and Information System) regional project was set up in response to an increasing need to monitor fishing activities and provide fishery management systems in several GFCM (General Fishery Commission for the Mediterranean) countries. Specifically, there was an urgent need for a comprehensive fisheries statistics collection and analysis system. From the outset of the project it was recognised that to be effective such a system must be designed to meet the needs of all stakeholders in the fishery involved, and that all resulting statistics must be reliable, timely and backed by relevant research. The project would involve a study of existing statistical and information systems in order to identify and upgrade areas requiring attention and/or optimisation. Moreover, all the work should be done by the national staff, limiting external aid to filling any gaps, and the system adopted should be as close as possible to existing working practices and conditions for the staff involved.

The solution produced by FAO staff was the modular MedStat system. MedStat consists of a set of databases and associated statistical data collection and implementation methodologies, techniques, and procedures, including training modules and technical support covering a Fleet Census, a Catch and Effort Survey and other surveys. There are also tools to facilitate monitoring and other management issues. Structurally, MedStat comprises a core system which includes the regional/national/local reference and codification system, and the national fishery control and monitoring system.

Considerable attention is paid to the structure and conduct of the census, and throughout MedFisis it is emphasised that accurate, reliable and exhaustive data collection is crucial to the output of the survey. All aspects of census procedure are dealt with in detail including the preparation, quality control and the all-important questionnaire. A comprehensive MedFisis questionnaire is presented and explained, as is the association between the questionnaire and the data field descriptions and reference system.

There are a number of useful appendices which include a flow chart of a typical census survey and a list of references.

CONTENTS

Preparation of this document Abstract Acknowledgements Introduction
The problem
The solution
	The strategic plan Background Life history The future perspective
The MedStat system
	The system design Functional components Operational component Materials and Methods Software Technical specifications
The MedStat database
	Top-down and bottom-up approaches The database system for the Mediterranean The core system The database family MedStat components Some final considerations
The MedStat database
	Top-down and bottom-up approaches The database system for the Mediterranean The core system The database family MedStat components Some final considerations
The census
	Census statistics Census uses
Preparation of the census
	Assessment of the current situation Pre-assessment or reconnaissance survey Dealing with the assessment Statistical design Data processing Human resources Infrastructure The evaluator
The quality check survey
	The Coverage Quality Check Survey (CCS) Checking the number of vessels and their distribution (coverage) Checking the vessels’ characteristics (quality) Checking the gear type
Output of the quality check survey
Preparation of the census survey
	Planning the census survey Designing the vessel census Data structure
The questionnaire
Training
	Theory training On-the-job training The training programme Specific training
The pilot survey
The field work
Expected outputs
Conclusions
Appendix 1: Assessment case studies Appendix 2: QCS case study
	Data structure of the Fishing Vessel Registry Survey design Survey implementation Methodological processing Register data check Survey data check Comparison of survey with registry data (QCS)
Appendix 3: The census questionnaire Appendix 4: Data field descriptions Appendix 5: Summary of the reference system Appendix 6: Revision of the Reference System
	Introduction Definition of Reference Tables General Overview of the MedFisis reference tables Types of tables Modifications done The importance of updating The dynamic process of updating the References
Appendix 7: Flow chart of pre-census assessment Appendix 8: Flow chart of census survey Appendix 9: Inventory of Artisanal Fisheries Communities in the Western and Central Mediterranean Appendix 10: Port / Landing Place (Infrastructures) Questionnaire Appendix 11: Terms of reference for advisory services (evaluator) Appendix 12: Terms of reference for international consultants
	Experts in census surveys Experts in catch and effort surveys
Appendix 13: Census check list Appendix 14: Dos and don’ts
References
Bibliography

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ISBN 978-92-5-107081-9

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