National tuna fishery monitoring systems
Legislation
Wednesday, 06 October 2010 13:53
The collection of fishery data is supported by international instruments, which places obligations on coastal and flag states to collect, share and disseminate fisheries data. The earliest of this legislation was the United Nations Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS) which was strengthened by the UN Fish Stocks Agreement, 1995 (see Annex I). Additionally, other non-binding agreements such as FAO’s Code of Conduct, national plans of action and ministerial declarations reinforce the need to collect fisheries data. 
 
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission requires members to collect data in accordance with these international laws (Data related provisions in the WCPF Convention) along with other information required by the Commission (Reporting Obligations on the WCPFC website)
 
In Pacific Island countries Domestic Marine Law outlines the obligations placed on fishers to submit data and these are enforced through Fisheries Regulations and Licensing Conditions. FFA and SPC have compiled the resource material “Guidelines for Fisheries Legislation” to describe the main elements domestic marine law should normally include to ensure a strong legislative background for the collection of data. Additionally, national tuna management plans and other associated documentation can also play a key role in directing the data coverage, providing the institutional support  and identifying the local  institutions and legal frameworks which will  support the  collection and management of tuna fisheries data. 
 
Data Collection
Wednesday, 06 October 2010 13:55

Data provides the information required by fishery managers to judge the state of the fishery. Without data any assessment of the fishery can only be speculation.  To first set up a  data collection system consideration and effort should go into describing the goals of the information system (what type of data is required); a definition of the data elements, the methodology that will be used to collect data and whether the data collection system will be continuous or a one-off effort.

 
Data Quality Systems
Thursday, 21 October 2010 15:02

Once the data collection system has been set up vigilance is required to ensure that the information that is being recorded and submitted is true, accurate and that it arrives on timely basis so its essential value is retained. Data errors are inevitable; the challenge is in having a system that will find and correct these errors and to produce data with recognised integrity.

 

A comprehensive data quality system will include: 

  • Training for data recorders
  • Methods and training for identifying errors on the hard copy; at the point of submission and during data entry.
  • Data quality control in databases (i.e. cross-checks, range checks, data reconciliation and double-entry).
  • A feedback mechanism, so that errors found in one part of the tuna data system will be corrected at the source and the relevant people properly informed.

  • Documented procedures which show the action to take with the data as they flow through the system. Documented procedures ensure staff are aware of what action to take, what their own role is and provides them with the overall picture for tuna data. Written procedures also offer a template for any structured review.
  • Scheduled revisions of the tuna data systems which ensures input from relevant staff and other stakeholders.
 
Data Management
Thursday, 25 November 2010 11:36
icon Components of Management of Data (Powerpoint presentation - 353.5 kB)
 


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