by
Marian Jiagge
CSIR Water Research Institute
P. O. Box
M32, Accra, Ghana
The Water Research Institute (WRI) is one of the 13 research institutes which falls under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). WRI was set up in 1966 with a mandate of undertaking research into all aspects of water resources development for socio-economic advancement of Ghana. The former Institute of Aquatic Biology was merged with WRI in the 1990s. The Aquaculture Development Centre is the branch of WRI which deals with the production of fingerlings. It is situated in Akosombo, Eastern Region. The other CSIR Institutes are in Accra, namely the Animal Research Institute, Food Research Institute, Crops Research Institute, Institute for Industrial Research, Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, Science and Technology Policy Research Institute and Soil Research Institute. The regional institutes are the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale, the Plant Genetics Resources Centre, Bunso, the Building and Road Research Institute and Forestry Research Institute, both in Kumasi.
Library
The Water Research Library was set up to support the research scientists with the needed literature for their research activities. It has a staff of one professional librarian and one paraprofessional. The library collection covers aquaculture, marine sciences, surface water, groundwater, microbiology, health, environmental biology and environmental chemistry. In the past the library was subscribing to a number of scientific journals, including Aquaculture Research, Journal of Hydrology, Water Resources Planning and Management. Unfortunately, we have not been able to renew our subscriptions due to financial constraints.
The library is the sectoral nodal point of the water resources sector in Ghana and as such there are some water related institutions that we collaborate with, namely: the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Volta Basin Research Project of the University of Ghana, Legon, the Irrigation Development Authority and the Ghana Water Company. To enhance library cooperation, we distribute our accession lists and annual reports to each of these institutions.
The library uses the WinISIS software and has developed a database called WATLIB. We still maintain the card catalogue because we can never be sure of continuous power. We also have the GHAGRI, which stands for Ghana Agricultural Research Information database because the library is part of the Ghana Agricultural Information Network Systems (GAINS), a CSIR project which is currently being sponsored by the World Bank under the Agricultural Sector Services Investment Programme (AgSSIP).
The Library participates in the Questions and Answers Services sponsored by the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA), which promotes agricultural information in Africa. The library receives the ASFA database on CD-ROM as part of an FAO project. Through the GAINS project our researchers can also use the TROPAG & RURAL and CAB Abstracts.
For access to full text journals we benefit from the PERI project. We also benefit from the TEEAL and an Inter-Library Lending and Document Delivery service with sponsorship from DANIDA.
The library provides the following services: orientation courses for both internal and external users, current information awareness services, photocopying services, referral services, training of students from the Library School of the University of Ghana. The library is also required to generate income and has commercialized some of its activities in line with government policy for WRI to generate 30% of its annual budget. Photocopying services and Internet services are also charged for.
Internet
We have Internet access at the library. Initially, the International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC) supported us with seed funding to get access to the Internet. Now we have our Local Area Network and some research scientists also have Internet access. Unfortunately it is quite slow, especially during the daytime. Efforts are being made by the Institute to increase the bandwidth.
International Cooperation
WRI Library receives the publications of the following organizations on an ongoing basis: the Water Research Commission of South Africa, UNESCO - IOC, FAO, WMO, International Association of Hydrological Services (IAHS) and the WorldFish Center.
Associations
The library is a member of the Ghana Library Association and the International Association of Marine and Aquatic Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC).
par
F.K. Kaba
Service d’information et de
valorisation
Centre national des sciences halieutiques de Boussoura
B.P.
3738/39, Conakry, Guinée
MISSION
Le CNSHB est un établissement public à caractère scientifique et administratif qui a pour mission de contribuer à la connaissance du secteur et d’aider à la prise de décision en matière de développement et d’aménagement conformément aux objectifs du gouvernement guinéen. Cette mission implique pour le CNSHB d’avoir à fournir un ensemble de connaissances aussi exhaustives que possible sur quatre déterminants du secteur, à savoir:
les ressources biologiques présentes dans la ZEE, leur répartition, leur abondance, leur productivité et leur évolution;
l’exploitation qui en est faite par les différentes pêcheries et les diverses communautés de pêcheurs;
le devenir du produit pêché et sa valorisation;
la rentabilité économique aux différents niveaux de la filière.
ÉVOLUTION
L’historique du CNSHB coïncide avec celle de l’IRD en Guinée. En effet, l’intervention de l’ORSTOM (actuelle IRD) dans le secteur des pêches en Guinée remonte en 1985, lorsque la Guinée a demandé à l’ORSTOM de mener des recherches sur l’existence d’un potentiel en ressources halieutiques permettant de développer une pêcherie artisanale. Deux campagnes de prospection effectuées la même année par le navire océanographique André Nizery de l’ORSTOM ont permis de mettre en évidence cette ressource. Le Secrétariat d’Etat à la pêche a alors sollicité l’ORSTOM pour créer un centre de recherche et pour en assurer l’encadrement scientifique. Le Centre de recherche halieutique de Boussoura (CRHB) a ainsi vu le jour en 1986 avec l’appui additionnel de la Communauté Européenne et du Fonds d’aide et de coopération. A noter que la création de ce centre a été précédée de celle d’une Division recherche de la Direction Générale des Pêche. A la suite du développement important de Centre, ses statuts ont été redéfinis et le CRHB est devenu en septembre 1992, un établissement public à caractère scientifique et administratif sous le nom du Centre National des Sciences Halieutiques de Boussoura (CNSHB) et placé sous la tutelle du Ministère de la pêche et de l’aquaculture.
ORGANISATION
Pour accomplir sa mission, le CNSHB est structuré comme suit:
un Conseil d’administration; un Conseil scientifique; un Conseil du centre; et
une Direction générale comprenant six départements scientifiques qui sont: le Département pêche industrielle; le Département pêche artisanale maritime; le Département pêche continentale et aquaculture; le Département gestion du littoral; le Département socio économie des pêches; et le Département suivi et gestion du navire de recherche. Auxquels s’ajoutent quatre services d’appui techniques que sont le Service administratif et financier; le Service informatique; le Service d’information et de valorisation et l’Observatoire des pêches.
Moyens humains
Le personnel du CNSHB estimé à 70 chercheurs, techniciens et administrateurs dont 33 fonctionnaires, 35 contractuels et 2 experts.
Moyens matériels
Il est doté d’équipements techniques (reprographie, etc.) et d’importante infrastructure informatique composée de 66 ordinateurs dont 53 en réseau interne et avec accès internet. Le site web <http://www.cnshb.org.gn> est l’un des moyens de diffusion de l’information capitalisée par le CNSHB.
Moyens navigants
Le CNSHB dispose de deux moyens navigants:
Le bateau de recherche océanographique Général Lansana Conte. Ce bateau de recherche permet aux chercheurs du CNSHB de mener des campagnes de chalutages en vue d’évaluer le stock de la ressource halieutique de la ZEE guinéenne. Construit en décembre 2002 et livré en février 2003, il a des caractéristiques techniques suivantes: Longueur hors, tout: 29,93 m; Longueur entre perpendiculaires: 25,80 m; Largeur hors membrures: 7,30 m; Creux au milieu: 6,25 m; Tonnage brut: 198 tonnes; Equipage: 19 personnes; Vitesse de service: 10 nœuds; Puissance maximale: 552 kW à 1400 rpm; Type: Yanmar 6N1656EN 1 set.
La barque Anita Cont. Cette barque est utilisée pour réaliser les campagnes pluridisciplinaires pour le suivi de l’environnement marin côtier et plus particulièrement pour les prélèvements de benthos, poisson, ichtyoplancton, zooplancton et phytoplancton.
Activités de recherche
Dans le but de contribuer à l’identification et à la mise en œuvre des actions de recherche relatives aux problématiques du développement du secteur de la pêche en Guinée, les bailleurs de fonds internationaux financent des projets dont l’exécution se fait en partenariat avec le personnel du CNSHB et des experts étrangers: on peut citer entre autres les projets de recherche.
Projets de recherche exécutés au CNSHB
Depuis sa création, plusieurs projets de recherche ont été menés au CNSHB en collaboration de l’ORSTOM (actuel IRD, Institut de recherche pour le développement) dans le cadre d’une convention financée par le FAC. On peut citer entre autres:
Le projet Conditions de développement de la pêche artisanale en Guinée;
Le projet Protection et surveillance des pêches: volet scientifique;
Le programme Rôle de l’environnement physique et biologique sur les ressources ichtyologiques en Basse Guinée: Compte tenu de l’importance des rivières côtières de la basse Guinée, l’état des connaissances concernant les poissons d’eau douce et saumâtre de la Basse Guinée motivait la mise en place de ce programme à forte composante taxinomique, biologique et écologique. Parmi les résultats obtenus, on peut citer: a) Réalisation d’une collection de référence de près de 5 000 spécimens de poissons d’eaux douces et saumâtres de Basse Guinée au CNSHB qui sont exposé sous le hall du Centre et peut être visité. b) Évaluation des richesses ichtyologiques et piscicoles des rivières de Basse Guinée. c) Mise au point de l’état de pollution du Konkouré influencé par l’usine de traitement de la bauxite à Fria. d) Précisions sur les cycles biologiques de certaines espèces.
Ces résultats sont détaillés dans un document intitulé Rapport de fin de convention.
Projets de recherche en cours au CNSHB
A titre de projets de recherche actuellement en cours d’exécution, on peut citer:
1. Etude des pêcheries des rivières du sud (EPARS): Compte tenu des similitudes entre les pêcheries artisanales de Guinée et de Guinée-Bissau, l’ACDI a financé la constitution d’une base de données devant servir à d’éventuels prises de décisions quant à l’implantation de projets de développement. Cette intervention s’est réalisée à travers le projet Etude des pêcheries des rivières du sud (EPARS).
2. Système d’information et d’analyse des pêches (SIAP): Il s’agit d’un projet financé par l’Union Européenne en faveur des six pays membres de la Commission Sous-régionale des Pêches. L’objectif recherché est de permettre à ces Etats de réunir les données scientifiques sur leurs pêcheries, disponibles aussi bien localement que dans les institutions partenaires à l’étranger, en vue de les traiter et de les diffuser.
3. Projet FAC 1 et 2: L’objectif recherché est d’impulser la dynamique de recherche au sein du CNSHB à travers la consolidation des résultats de l’observatoire des pêches, la réalisation d’actions de recherche thématique, en s’appuyant sur les compétences du partenaire scientifique qu’est l’IRD.
4. Pêche écologique de Guinée (PEG): Ce projet vise la définition des modalités permettant une gestion des pêches fondée sur le respect des écosystèmes pour permettre d’assurer à long terme le développement socio-économique du secteur des pêches en Guinée. L’objectif est d’établir les modalités (compétences, méthodes, outils) d’un développement durable des pêches guinéennes fondé sur l’usage respectueux des écosystèmes marins.
5. Aires marines protégées (AMP): L’objectif principal est la conservation de la diversité biologique des habitats fragiles mais très importants pour les pêcheries, les oiseaux migrateurs et autres espèces associées menacées. Il s’agit entre autres de: a) Protection des zones de mangroves, des frayères et nourriceries côtières qui alimentent les zones de pêche des pays de la sous région; b) Protection des espèces menacées (tortues marines, baleines, lamantins, etc.).
6. Plan d’action sous-régional raies et requins: Face aux menaces de disparition, et de l’augmentation sans cesse de l’effort de capture des raies et requins, la Commission Sous-régionale des Pêches a initié la mise en place d’un plan d’action sous-régional raies et requins. Chaque pays doit incorporer dans sa législation nationale les recommandations issues dudit plan d’action; l’objectif étant de réaliser la protection de ces animaux.
7. Plan d’action sous-régional de protection des tortues marines: Les tortues marines sont des animaux protégés dans le cadre de la conservation de la biodiversité, le CNSHB entreprend des actions découlant des programmes internationaux relatifs à ce sujet: l’identification des espèces rencontrées, la protection des lieux de ponte et la remise à l’eau d’individus capturés accidentellement constituent les principales activités.
8. La conservation des espèces migratrices appartenant à la faune sauvage (CMS): Entrepris dans le cadre de la Convention de Bonn, la Guinée en tant que qu’Etat signataire est engagée à développer un programme pour résoudre le problème de conservation des petits cétacés. Un plan d’action est défini et tous les Etats s’investissent dans sa réalisation autour d’un projet qui contribuerait à la promotion et au développement de l’expertise locale dans le but de parer à la vulnérabilité de ces espèces en réduisant progressivement les pressions et menaces qui pèsent sur elles.
9. Projet observatoire Guinée maritime: Projet financé par la Coopération Française de développement (CFD), Agence Française de développement (AFD) et le FFEM. Exécuté en partenariat par l’AFVP et l’Université Michel de Montaignes, Bordeaux 3 est hébergé par le CNSHB. Ce projet a pour mission la création d’outils méthodologiques et d’information d’aide à la décision dans les domaines suivantes: biodiversité, ressources et systèmes de production en milieu rural, innovations, gouvernance locale des biens publics et pauvreté, aménagements, développement local et dynamiques sociales, influences urbaines, pauvreté et migrations, et analyses territoriales.
En outre, le CNSHB réalise des études sur des problématiques spécifiques visant à acquérir des connaissances sur des sujets importants pouvant avoir une influence sur le système des pêches. A ce titre et de manière indicative les sujets ci-après ont fait objet d’études en Guinée et à l’étranger: Description des métiers exercés dans le secteur de la pêche; Rentabilité des unités de pêche artisanale; Typologie des débarcadères de pêche artisanale; Recensement général du Parc piroguier national; Application du système d’information géographique à la gestion des pêches; Impact des bateaux collecteurs de produits de pêche, sur l’approvisionnement du marché local en poisson; Programmes spéciaux d’animaux marins protégés (dauphins, tortues marines); Programme de suivi des mammifères marins; Création d’aires marines protégées; Plan d’action sous régional raie et requins; Evaluation de la pêche artisanale de 1989 à 2001; Innovation technologique de conservation des produits de pêche artisanales en mer; Programme fréquences de taille; Coûts des intrants et impacts sur le revenu du pêcheur; Impact des aménagements hydroélectriques sur les ressources ichtyologiques; etc.
COOPÉRATION
Le CNSHB entretien des rapports avec les utilisateurs des résultats de la recherche. Il existe de prima bord un cadre formel de dialogue et de concertation entre la recherche et les destinataires de cette recherche en Guinée, à savoir l’administration, les professionnels, etc. Il collabore également avec de nombreux organismes de recherche et de formation aussi bien au niveau national, sous-régional qu’international.
Au niveau national
Les directions nationales du Ministère de la pêche et l’aquaculture; Centre de surveillance et de protection des pêches (CNSP); Le CERESCOR (Centre national de la recherche scientifique de Conakry-Rogbanè); Direction national de la recherche scientifique (DNST); Université de Conakry; Institut national supérieur d’agronomique et vétérinaire (INSAV) de Faranah; Institut de recherche agronomique de Guinée (IRAG); Direction national de l’environnement (DNE); Port autonome de Conakry (PAC); etc.
Au niveau sous-régional
Commission sous Régional de Pêche (CSRP); Institutions de recherche océanographique de la région ouest africaine (IMROP, CRODT, CRO, etc.); Institut national de recherche halieutique (INRH) de Casablanca (Maroc); etc.
Au niveau international
Département des pêches de la FAO; Direction développement de l’Union Européenne; Institut de recherche pour le Développement (IRD); Organismes internationaux spécialisés (COI de l’UNESCO, ICCAT, UICN, WWF, etc.); Commissions spécialisées (CBI, etc.); Les Universités (de Louisiane, USA; British Columbia, Canada; Portsmouth, UK; INSAR, France); etc.
PUBLICATIONS DU CNSHB
Le CNSHB publie quatre séries de publications:
1. Document Scientifique du CNSHB;
2. Document d’Archives du CNSHB;
3. Document de Travail Interne du CNSHB;
4. Bulletin Statistique des Pêches.
Deux publications hors série:
1. Rapport d’Activités du CNSHB;
2. Rapport Technique Scientifique et de Conjoncture.
Le CNSHB a publié dans ces différentes séries plus de 90 articles et rapports. Il a publié en co-édition avec l’IRD (ex ORSTOM) trois ouvrages majeurs que sont:
1. Domain, F. et Bah, M.O. 1993. Carte sédimentologique du plateau continental guinéen à 1/200 000. Paris, ORSTOM/CNSHB. 15 p., 2 cartes h.t. en coul. (Notice Explicative, N°108)
2. Chavance, P., Diallo, A., Drapeau, L. et Fontana, A. 1998. Atlas des pêches maritimes de Guinée 1997. Paris, ORSTOM-CNSHB, 1998; 25 p.
3. Domain, F., Chavance, P. et Diallo, A. (eds.) 1999. La pêche côtière en Guinée: ressources et exploitation. Paris, IRD/CNSHB. 398 p., 12 planches h.t. en coul.
PERSPECTIVES
Des études menées par les chercheurs du CNSHB et de l’Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) ont permis la réalisation de travaux de recherche qui font qu’actuellement, le CNSHB est en passe de devenir un des centres de recherche d’excellence de la sous région ouest africaine. Cela se traduit par la multiplicité de projets de recherche d’intérêt sous régional encours et en perspective.
Conakry, novembre 2003
by
Mike B. Thuruwe
National Aquaculture Centre Library and
Information Centre
P.O. Box 44, Domasi, Zomba, Malawi
INTRODUCTION
Information plays an important and crucial role in every aspect of human endeavour. Aquaculture and fisheries research and development can be more effectively and efficiently carried out if there is readily accessible information. To facilitate this, the National Aquaculture Centre Library and Information Centre (NAC-LIC), previously known as the WorldFish Center Library and Information Center, has full time staff since 1996 after two years without a Librarian. A lot of developments in information services have taken place. The aim of this article is to highlight some of the activities and achievements made by the NAC-LIC since March 2001 when the WorldFish Center handed over the Library to the Malawi Government National Aquaculture Centre (NAC) in the Department of Fisheries.
LIBRARY COLLECTIONS
The Centre provides a strong comprehensive working collection on freshwater aquaculture and allied fields. Priority materials collected are on aquaculture in Malawi and Africa. The resources of the NAC Library include books and monographs, series CD-ROMs, visual and audiocassettes, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, microforms, maps, posters and other ephemeral materials. Materials are acquired through purchase, gift and exchange agreements. Currently the NAC-LIC has 2 192 volumes of books and monographs, 5 810 items of reprints, and a wide range of serials from all over the world. The NAC-LIC materials are arranged separately according to the following areas:
The general collection includes books and monographs, theses and dissertations, conference papers and proceedings, as well as collected reprints forming the core collection.
The reference collection includes dictionaries, atlases and guides, indexes such as the Sea Grant Abstracts, directories, handbooks and manuals, yearbooks.
The serials collection: The National Aquaculture Centre subscribes to more than fifty serial titles. A serial is a publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numerical or chronological designations and continued indefinitely. Series include periodicals, newspapers, annual reports and yearbooks, journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions, etc. of societies, and numbered monographic series.
Reprints: These are reproductions of original articles that have already appeared in published series. Other loose conference papers are also organized here. They are catalogued just like books. A location symbol “R” for reprint is designated and a number arranges them chronologically. However, collected reprints of other fisheries and aquatic research institutions are catalogued and classified with the general collection.
Newspaper clippings are arranged alphabetically by subject in the vertical file.
Pamphlet collection: Pamphlets and brochures are placed on the shelves in boxes and are arranged in alphabetical order by institution.
Worldfish Center Contribution Series: This series includes articles, monographs and books published by WorldFish Center staff and by external authors on commission. Many of these contributions are offered free and are advertised in NAGA, the WorldFish Center Quarterly.
SERVICES OF THE LIBRARY
The NAC Library has a diverse role in information exchange in sub-Saharan African countries. It not only serves as a place for safekeeping of information resources, but also as a dynamic agent of research utilization. It links aquaculture and fisheries personnel i.e. researchers on the one hand and extension workers on the other, to relevant information. The library circulates the contents pages of series to research staff in order to bring to their attention relevant current information. Apart from providing specific information to users and promoting use of the library, this service also helps in the development of the reprints collection.
The Centre is responsible for identifying, acquiring, analyzing, organizing, storing and disseminating information to serve the needs of the NAC, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Aquaculture Project and the WorldFish Center staff, its cooperating agencies and external users both in Malawi and the sub-region.
Loans, inter-library loans and photocopying
The materials in the facility are available for on-site use to the public but long-term loan is restricted to internal users (the WorldFish Center, JICA Aquaculture Project and NAC staff). However, the library runs an inter-library lending service with other scientific and technical libraries. The NAC-LIC has inter-library loan arrangements with the libraries of SADC Inland Fisheries, Monkey Bay Fisheries Research Unit (of the Malawi Department of Fisheries), the University of Malawi Bunda College of Agriculture, Chancellor College, Domasi College of Education and the Malawi Institute of Education. Photocopying services of non-copyrighted or copyright granted materials is available at a minimum charge of US$ 0.04/page. The NAC-LIC’s computerized catalogue is a database, Aquaculture Information Services for Africa (AISAF). AISAF runs on Computerized Documentation Service/Integrated Set of Information Systems (CDS/ISIS) and is accessible to all users at the Centre itself.
The NAC library receives between eight to ten visitors per day and between fifteen to twenty items are borrowed by NAC staff. About twenty items per week are requested on inter-library loan.
Current awareness service
The NAC-LIC provides a Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) and current awareness service, alerting users to what the library has newly acquired through the publication of a current acquisitions list which is distributed widely. Current contents and other newly received serial titles are circulated to the scientific personnel involved in collaborative work within the immediate surrounding area of the library.
Increasing the collection
A large number of reprints are being received and these are contributing to the growth of the library collection. Most of these reprints are research papers in current journals, workshop papers and personal papers from researchers. The library personnel would like to thank those researchers who give their publications to the library and we also encourage other researchers to do the same, thereby enriching the information data bank of the library. Since most acquisitions for the library are chosen by the researchers/scientists, the information available is the most relevant for research and development of aquaculture in Malawi and the SADC region.
Other publications have been received from the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA) as a donation, through a system of credit points which CTA offers to institutions in developing countries. This has enriched the library with information on recent developments in research. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also contributed to the library through provision of their fisheries publications.
Library staff and problems
Access to information is very important in reaching out and addressing different issues, both within a country and between countries and organizations but seldom are the resources available to do this effectively. Malawi is a SADC member country and as such, NAC library has received five tons of books and reprints from the former Aquaculture for Local Communities Development Programme (ALCOM) Project Library in Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, the space available to NAC Library is very small i.e. 6.5 m by 4.5 m, with only one reading table and ten chairs. The ALCOM material must unfortunately be kept in boxes awaiting renovation of the library in order to create space to accommodate the materials. The NAC Library is being managed by one person, which makes it difficult to provide services on a full-time basis, particularly if the manager is away at meetings or training courses, or simply on leave.
Internet and e-mail services
The library has e-mail facilities and staff are allowed to send and receive their mail using the library’s computer. The library has a computer server, which collects incoming and outgoing mail to ten computers around the campus. These are connected to the network neighbourhood and the server dials up every 60 minutes to receive and send mail to other computers. The Internet is not accessible to everyone, only a chosen few.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the library will continue to exchange information and establish linkages with other institutions, both local and abroad, with similar interests.
by
Amady Sow
Institut Mauritanien de Recherches
Océanographiques et des Pêches
BP 22, Nouadhibou,
Mauritanie
The history of the Institut Mauritanien de Recherches Océanographiques et des Pêches (IMROP) starts with the creation of the Fisheries Laboratory, built in 1950 and inaugurated on 5 January 1953. It had a double mandate, namely the inspection of animal breeding and oceanographic research. The latter was using local vessels and limited to hydrological sampling in the Bay of Levrier and the surroundings of Cape Blanc. The oceanographic studies only started in 1959 with the arrival of the Almoravide and the fisheries research in 1970 with the completion of a survey targeting sardinellas, although it was two years after the establishment of the processing industry which was supposed to take into account the results of the survey. The Fisheries Laboratory was not very much known internationally. It was the publication of its scientific journal, which initiated the exchange of information with international research organisations.
From 1973 the Laboratory undertook experimental trawl surveys in the area of the Banc d’Arguin to evaluate the total biomass and potential of demersal species. Biological data on the exploited species were collected on a regular basis. Work was also carried out in the light of the evaluation of stocks of sea breams (sparids) and lobster and on the possibilities of breeding mullet along the coast of Mauritania. The Fisheries Laboratory became the National Centre of Oceanographic and Fisheries Research on 23 November 1978, a public administrative establishment with the Headquarters in Nouadhibou, just a few months before the inauguration of its new building in Cansado, on 19 July 1979.
The Centre’s capacity to conduct research at sea was strongly increased with the arrival of the vessel NDIAGO by the end of 1981. Until 1984 priority was given to cartography of seabed sediments, to establishing a statistical data collection system and to direct evaluations for the potential of exploitable resources. All the acquired knowledge was presented during the first Working Group CNROP/FAO/ORSTOM in 1985. In 1983 the film entitled Blue Sahel was produced in collaboration with ORSTOM. This film, which exists in Arabic, French and English, was awarded prizes four times during international festivals.
From 1985 to 1988 the emphasis was placed on statistics (for modelling purposes at a later stage) and direct evaluations in the framework of adjusted research programmes. The results obtained during the implementation of these programmes were validated by the second Working Group of CNROP/FAO entitled: Evaluation of Resources in the Mauritanian EEZ. The results allowed CNROP to contribute to the preparation of the Policy Declaration on the Development of the Fisheries Sector in April 1987, for which CNROP had identified its research priorities and programmes for the period 1988-1992, as such setting up its first Five-year Plan on Research Strategies and Programmes. During this period the publication of Sea Fishes of Mauritania also appeared in 1986.
From 1989 to 1992 the Centre made great efforts to realise its first five year plan, the results of which were discussed and analysed during the Seminar “Research/Management” in 1990, in 1992 during the Seminar Methodologies to Study the Artisanal Fisheries in West Africa and also during the Working Group on The Environment and the Resources which described the resources and the fisheries. In this period the studies on cephalopods also advanced significantly.
The period 1993-1997 was marked by the amendment of the legal status of CNROP, which makes it possible to use certain dispensations, foreseen by the law, to generate its own income. This is also the period of the implementation of the second Five Year Plan and the third Working Group on the Evaluation of the Stocks and Fisheries in Mauritania. In 1997 the CNROP obtained two new vessels, the Al Awam and the Amrigue, allowing extension of the surveys to the entire continental shelf.
From 1998 to 2000 the emphasis was placed on restructuring research with the introduction of annual action plans (based on the Five Year Plans), whose implementation was followed by a Scientific Council established in 2000. The Scientific Council consists of high-level scientists from Mauritania, Spain, France, Senegal, Canada, England and Russia. This period also saw the strengthening of the statistical data coverage, the equipment and competences as well as the establishment of a functional information network with access to the Internet. Together with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) the Catalogue and national commercial nomenclature of marine species (fish, crustaceans and cephalopods) fished in Mauritania was published.
The Working Groups on Evaluation of Stocks and Fisheries meet at regular intervals since the fourth in 1998 and the fifth, although more orientated to management, in 2002. In that same year, CNROP changed its name to IMROP, Mauritanian Institute of Oceanographic and Fisheries Research, a public administrative body with a cultural and scientific mission.
par
Arame G. Ndiaye Keita
Conservateur en sciences de l’information
Émail: [email protected]
Mission
collecter et capitaliser l’information relative au domaine marin et côtier au Sénégal;
gérer et faciliter l’accès à l’information marine et côtière à toutes les communautés d’utilisateurs;
mettre en place des bases de données relatives au domaine;
élaborer des produits d’information;
mettre en place des services de diffusion de l’information.
Ressources informationnelles
fonds documentaires de 7 500 ouvrages sur la pêche et les activités marines et côtières;
base de données locale ODISEN avec plus 3 000 références;
bases de données régionales et internationales spécialisées sur la pêche et sur l’environnement marin et côtier sur CD-ROM ou on line;
ASFA (Résumé des sciences aquatiques et de la pêche);
écosystèmes marins de la sous région nord-ouest africaine;
les textes de bases de l’environnement au Sénégal;
Statbase (statistiques des pêches de la sous région nord-ouest africaine);
FishBase;
OceanExpert (répertoire mondiale des professionnels de la mer et des eaux douces);
abonnement à plus de 50 titres de périodiques spécialisés sur le secteur.
Services d’information offerts
recherche et fourniture d’informations à partir des bases de données locales régionales et internationales sur CD-ROM et on line;
recherche et fourniture d’informations à partir de sites web et portails des institutions et organismes spécialisés sur le secteur;
fourniture de documentation à partir des réseaux d’information et du prêt inter- bibliothèque;
service de consultation des ouvrages;
diffusion sélective de l’information pour les agents des départements des pêches;
production de bibliographies thématiques ponctuelles à la demande des usagers.
by
Denise Mathiot
Seychelles Fishing
Authority
Seychelles
History of the Documentation Centre and objectives
The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) Documentation Centre was created in 1989.
The staff is one senior documentation officer, one assistant documentation officer and one typist.
It has the following objectives:
Creating a holding of materials related to fisheries and marine resources in the Seychelles, the Indian Ocean Region and internationally;
Support the scientific, technical and management activities of SFA;
Managing, preserving and retrieving all such information as and when required so as to assist in the progress of research and development;
Encouraging the inter-regional exchange of all fisheries and marine related literature and information between experts, SFA staff and any other overseas fisheries institutions or bodies;
Preserving books, materials and information for future generations;
Managing and distributing all SFA publications.
Subject coverage
The following subject areas are covered: aquaculture, marine research, scientific expeditions, legislation, processing of marine products, oceanography, fisheries statistics, marine resources, fisheries technology, fisheries management.
In addition, the publications of the following organizations are received: FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation), UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas), IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission), SPC (Secretariat of the Pacific Community).
There is also a unique collection on the fisheries of the Seychelles and, to a lesser extent, other countries of the region.
Nature of the collection
The collection is multi-media including books, serials, journals, maps, charts, photos, videos, posters, CD-ROMs, grey literature.
Facilities
The facilities and equipment available in the Documentation Centre are: a photocopying machine, computers and laser jet printer, scanner, laminating machine, binding machine, TV and video, access to the Internet and e-mail.
Users
The Documentation Centre is open to all those interested in fisheries. The primary users are:
A total of 101 staff employed at the Seychelles Fishing Authority according to the 2002 SFA Annual Report.
Two scientists working for Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD).
In addition there is a large community of external users from:
The organisations and fisheries bodies with whom the SFA collaborates;
Government departments and other organisations in the Seychelles working with fisheries and related subjects;
External professionals, visiting experts and consultants to SFA;
School children;
Polytechnic students and teachers;
The fishing community in general.
Information services and resources
Access to the collection organized by subject;
Retrieval of documents;
Circulation of journals;
Photocopy services, lamination and binding services;
Production and circulation of a quarterly list of new acquisitions;
Processing of article and inter-library loan requests;
Ordering of publications;
Literature searches of bibliographic databases such as ASFA Online, the IAMSLIC Z39.50 and other online databases;
Internet searching;
A designated computer is available in the Centre for internal users and visitors where training can also be provided.
Seychelles Fishing Authority reports and posters
The following publications are produced:
Cooperation
The Seychelles Fishing Authority collaborates and cooperates with many partners:
Ocean Data and Information Network in Africa (ODINAFRICA)
The International Association of Marine and Aquatic Science Libraries and Information Centres (IAMSLIC)
L’Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD)
Inter-Governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
Marine Research Assessment Group (MRAG) based in London
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Commission de l’Océan Indien (COI)
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), based in Seychelles since 1998
European Union (EU).
Electronic library management system
Computerisation of the Documentation Centre catalogue started in 1991 using the CDS/ISIS software provided free by UNESCO.
The first part of the collection to be indexed was literature of direct relevance to the Seychelles.
In 2002 the library software Inmagic DB/TextWorks was introduced.
The existing CDS/ISIS database was converted to Inmagic in June 2002.
What is Inmagic DB/TextWorks?
Inmagic DB/TextWorks is an integrated library management system used in the Windows environment. It has the following features:
Designed to adapt to your information management needs;
Enables you to order resources online;
Creates a thesaurus text base;
Checks spelling as you type;
Sorts records in descending order of their relevance;
Sends reports as e-mail and much more;
Designed mainly for library automation;
Provides a better way to publish, maintain and manage information, from text to images to multimedia objects.
ODINAFRICA
The SFA Documentation Centre also serves as the regional coordinator for the ODINAFRICA Library Database Helpdesk. This role involves:
Focal point for quality control of data for IOC AFRICAN LIBRARY Database;
Verified records are sent to the IOC office in Mombasa, Kenya, from where they are added to the centralized ODINAFRICA Library Holdings Database.
Implementation of Inmagic
The following modules have been implemented:
Constraints
The following constraints are noted by the Documentation Centre:
Funding for core journals is very limited;
Seychelles is not regarded as a low income country therefore SFA is not eligible for free access to electronic journals programmes - such as Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA);
Some researchers prefers to develop their own personal library;
The library is considered low priority;
The librarian has little impact on management.
by
Brigid Kleu
Oceanographic Research Institute
South
Africa
The Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) is part of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research, together with Seaworld, which includes the Education Department, the Dolphinarium and the Aquarium. In 1947, “inspired by the natural beauty and rich marine biodiversity of the KwaZulu-Natal coast, the local Wildlife Society organised an expedition to Maputaland, a remote and pristine coastal region in the north of our province. This group of conservationists, academics and fishermen were impressed by the unique and rich diversity of marine life and the unique traditional fisheries. However, the dependence of the people on vulnerable resources, coupled with the complexity of the fragile and un-researched ecosystems, gave rise to concern about future conservation of the region. In response, this visionary group vowed to establish a marine biological station that would provide information and advice about the wise use of resources to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and their government".[7] The result was the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), which was founded as a non-governmental organisation in 1951. The SAAMBR building was opened in 1959, and the first librarian was appointed in 1963.
The library
ORI Library is primarily a marine library, collecting material on Southern Africa, East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. We also have material on related subjects. Our main subject areas are marine biology, commercial and recreational fisheries, environment and conservation, oceanography, marine ecology, aquariums, marine mammals, aquaculture and pollution. There is a special collection called the Boshoff Collection. Stock development is via the ORI budget, the exchange partner system, Internet downloads, donations, and photocopies of interlibrary loan requests. We subscribe to 53 journal titles. The book selection budget is small and only purchases a few books each year, and we buy for all sections of SAAMBR. The exchange partnership system has worked well over the years in the development of the library, but is no longer the major source for material. There is increased access to information and publications via the Internet.
Funding the library
In spite of the financial difficulties, the Oceanographic Research Institute values its research library and information resource. The scientists work as consultants to earn money for the institute, part of which is allocated for library funds. ORI is affiliated to the University of Natal, although the library does not receive funding from the University. We do receive help in other ways. Generally asking for extra money is a no-win situation - the dolphins, penguins and seals have to be fed first.
Library users: ORI Library has been developed primarily for the scientists and staff of SAAMBR. Anyone may use the library for reference purposes, and the majority of users are tertiary level students. Some material is confidential and not all facilities are available to outsiders.
Library co-operation: No library can stand alone in its function of providing information and material. Networking and co-operation are proven methods for fulfilling the function of information provision. South Africa has a comprehensive interlibrary loan system, organised by the National Library. Libraries register with the National Library, promising to fulfil certain conditions to facilitate the inter-lending system. SABINET (South African Bibliographic and Information Network) produces the on-line catalogue of the holdings in South African libraries. There is an online system for libraries to administer all the processes of an interlibrary loan. The system works very well for most libraries, with a high percentage success rate in the tracing and supply of requested material.
Problems with library co-operation
Special libraries have more difficulty in tracing the material which their users require, for varying reasons. Marine specialist material is unlikely to be published in large quantities, may be old, and may not be available in a South African library. Much of the information is contained in the unpublished and grey literature categories.
Libraries in South Africa, which hold marine and aquatic material, include the Margaret Smith Library at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, the Gilchrist Library at Marine and Coastal Management, the ORI Library and the libraries of the universities of Cape Town, Rhodes and Port Elizabeth. While there is a spirit of co-operation between the staff of the three marine libraries, not all library holdings are available on the SABINET Union Catalogue, and according to the interlibrary loan rules, libraries are not supposed to approach another library unless the holding library has been identified.
There are instances where some of the smaller library computer systems are not compatible with SABINET, and thus their holdings cannot be added or updated. ORI Library holdings were included in the days when duplicate catalogue cards were sent to the State Library (now the National Library of South Africa), but no holdings have been sent for decades. Our new software can prepare ISBN number lists to be added to SABINET, but any unique material can only be included with extra costs to ORI. The interlibrary loan system is costly, with standardised costs set by the National Library, for loans, photocopies and faxed requests. The system works relatively well for the larger institutional libraries, but is not effective for the smaller specialized libraries working with limited budgets.
In recent years, partly due to financial constraints and work commitments, librarians have had less opportunity to meet regularly. Co-operation works so much more effectively when librarians are able to meet and discuss mutual problems, and develop ways of helping each other. Technology gives wonderful opportunities to those who have these advantages, but it is librarians who are ultimately responsible for the service in their libraries.
by
Tyler Palamar, formerly at the
Library and Information
Centre (2001/2002)
Fisheries Resources Research Institute, Jinja,
Uganda
Institution
The Fisheries Resources Research Institute (FIRRI) is the national research institution mandated to undertake, promote and streamline fisheries research in Uganda and ensure dissemination and application of research results. It is one of the research institutes of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and is currently under the direction of Dr. John Balirwa (acting Director).
The Fisheries Resources Research Institute was created in 1947 and has an approximate staff of 114, out of whom 24 are scientists and 19 technicians along with a number of support staff. FIRRI’s subject areas include: capture fisheries; fishing technology; fish production processes; aquatic environmental health; aquaculture; and post harvest practices (freshwater). FIRRI’s mandate is “to generate, package and disseminate scientific knowledge and build research capacity to guide”:
Sustainable management of capture fisheries;
Conservation of aquatic biodiversity and fish habitats;
Integrating lake productivity mechanisms into fisheries management;
Prevention of pollution and eutrophication of the aquatic environment;
Control of invasive weeds, especially water hyacinth;
Enhancement of aquaculture production;
Reduction of post-harvest fish losses and ensuring fish quality;
Development of options for optimisation of socio-economic benefits from the fisheries and for co-management;
Development of policies, laws, and regulations for management of fisheries and the aquatic environment.
FIRRI produces an Annual Report (since 1948) and is currently undertaking a project to digitize all of its annual reports along with other material of historical interest created at FIRRI and held at the Information and Data Centre. The goal of the digitization program is to create an electronic archive that will assist in the distribution and conservation of this irreplaceable and unique material (grey literature, occasional papers, special publications, etc.). The preservation of the physical collection has not been overlooked either as repairs have been carried out on the collection as needed.
Library
The FIRRI Information and Data Centre was set up in 1947 when the Fisheries Research Centre was created. Initially located in the staff common room, the library was given its own building in the 1970s. Currently, the FIRRI Information and Data Centre is being renovated and expanded to include a computer centre as well as providing for extra shelving and working space for users. The Information and Data Centre at this time has one librarian who is periodically assisted by short-term contract staff members. Visiting information science students on industrial training also help to staff the Information Centre. Besides FIRRI scientists and other fisheries research collaborators, the Information and Data Centre receives on average 150 outside visitors a month, including visiting scientists and post-graduate students who have a variety of research needs.
Library collections
The Information and Data Centre’s collection now includes over 3 000 reference books covering environmental science, fish biology and ecology, aquaculture, fisheries, limnology and water quality, socio-economics, etc. The library contains 5 current journals and over 200 non-current journals as well as a large number of reprints covering a wide range of fields relating to the functions of FIRRI. The collection has been built up through gifts, exchange agreements and subscriptions/purchasing although this virtually stopped with the collapse of the East African Community in 1977. Thereafter the Information and Data Centre received a major donation from the British Council and has since received many donations from a number of outside sources, including visiting scientists and several American and British institutions. Of primary importance in the Information Centre’s collection are those materials contained in the African Lakes section. This section contains materials published as far back as the 1920s and holds much of FIRRI’s institutional memory in the form of annual reports from 1948 onward, occasional papers, grey literature, published research findings, Masters and Ph.D. dissertations and other special research studies and publications.
An important tool used by visitors to the Information Centre is the Aquatic Sciences & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) that is received from FAO. Another important resource is obtained through the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) - Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI). The PERI program allows FIRRI to access full text online journal articles through EBSCOhost, Blackwell-Synergy, IDEAL and Ingenta. FIRRI will also very shortly be using the Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) tool being administered by FAO. FIRRI’s 24/7 Internet access makes these products accessible to all computers attached to the local area network (LAN) at the Institute including those of the Information and Data Centre.
Currently the Information and Data Centre uses Reference Manager to catalogue its holdings but is actively searching for a new cataloguing tool as a replacement. A printed card catalogue still provides users access to holdings as well.
Library Services
The FIRRI Information and Data Centre participates in a FAO/SAIAB document exchange program that provides the researchers at FIRRI with a wealth of material not otherwise accessible through online products or its physical collection. Persons within the Information and Data Centre also assisted in the creation of a webpage that it is hoped will soon be posted on the Internet to give FIRRI a further international presence.
Library networking
FIRRI is an active member of the community and attempts to bring in as many people as possible by welcoming visitors such as public school students and members of the fishing community. The library is of an academic nature and is not always able to satisfy the needs of the fishing community often due to linguistic barriers, but the library is able to provide some posters in the local languages for these persons in an effort to be more inclusive. An important output of the Information and Data Centre is a newsletter that is produced to keep visitors informed of new developments taking place and it serves to remind everyone that the Information and Data Centre is a place where there is always some movement towards achieving FIRRI’s mandate.
At the national level, FIRRI is a part of NARO and participates in networks and workshops within the organization. The FIRRI Information and Data Centre also provides training in the use of library services, including accessing the print collections and using the Internet and specifically accessing the online journal services providing full text articles.
FIRRI also appreciates the value of participating in library networks. On the national level an interlibrary loan network will be explored, and FIRRI currently cooperates with Makerere University Main Library (Africana Section), Department of Zoology, National Wetlands Kampala, Fisheries Resources Department Entebbe and the British Council. At the international level participation in networks such as the International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers (IAMSLIC) and the Agricultural Libraries Network (AGLINET) will be investigated.
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[6] Cette présentation
était donnée au 29ème conférence d'IAMSLIC, Mystic
(CT), USA, Oct. 5-9, 2003 [7] South African Marine Biological Association (SAAMBR). 2002. Bulletin, 28: 24 p. |
