1. INTRODUCTION

Research has the potential to enhance the benefits associated with fisheries exploitation in a number of ways. The challenge is to ensure that this potential is realised to its fullest possible extent. This paper discusses some key issues that must be addressed in order to increase the effectiveness of research. These issues are:

Improvement of prioritisation mechanisms
Improvement of linkages between research and policy
Clarification of the role of the State: separate financing and delivery
Development of appropriate research capacity
Improvement of the performance of the research system

Precise research needs will depend on specific contexts and should flow from the-prioritisation mechanism. It is however possible to identify some common problems where SIFAR research support would be useful and the paper concludes by looking briefly at the following:

The need for improved fishery management systems
The need to target correct objectives: distinguishing between goals and constraints.