This Circular has been prepared within the framework of the Regular Programme as part of the ongoing activities of the Fisheries Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI) aimed at improved access to fisheries information. The Circular was prepared in collaboration with the International Institutions and Liaison Service (FIPL) and focuses on the role of information in support of implementation of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The observations and recommendations are based on professional interaction and communication with colleagues in developing countries, site visits, extensive review of the literature, and surveys of information users. Ms Janet Webster is the head librarian at the Marilyn Potts Guin Library, Hatfield Marine Science Center at Oregon State University in Newport, Oregon. She carried out part of the research for this Circular during four months spent at FAO in 2004 on the Visiting Experts Programme.
The views expressed in this report are not necessarily those of FAO or Oregon State University. The following are acknowledged for their participation in the surveys, case studies and discussions: staff of the FAO Fisheries Department, in particular David Doulman for his input on implementation of the Code. From other organizations: Judith Swan, Susan Hanna, Jaqueline Alder, Charles Boyd, John Kurien, Yasuhisa Kato, Geoffrey Salanje, Margaret Ngwira, Emmanual Kaunda, Gift Kadzamira, Sloans Chimatiro, Simon Wilkinson, Amady Sow and staff of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers.
