79. The Ad hoc Working Group identified priorities for implementation of the Guidelines in the region. These priorities were based on emerging issues related to capture fishery data collection as well as on the expectations of the types of data to be collected. The priorities which shall be for possible implementation by countries in the region as well as regional organizations, include the following:
i. Raising awareness at the highest levels of the necessity to continuously review data needs and provide adequate means to collect reliable data through cost-effective means. This could be implemented by regional organizations such as APFIC and specifically through the promotion and implementation of the Guidelines;ii. Improving data collection systems at both national and regional levels. This could include methodology reviews, identification of priorities for data needs, specifying the reliability of data, establishing accountability for data collection, and awareness building on the necessity for reliable data. Countries should ensure that data collection systems are compatible with those adopted at the sub-regional and regional levels;
iii. Strengthening knowledge on the current state of resources and fisheries as well as in socio-economics and environmental aspects;
iv. Promoting regional cooperation in data exchange and harmonization of concepts, methodologies, classifications, and codes. This also includes data exchange and the setting up of standard methodologies at the regional level; and
v. Promoting human resource development for statisticians as well as fishery experts and analysts, in order to strengthen the national capabilities in data collection and information analysis. Such training may be conducted by regional organizations having the capabilities.
