First ODINAFRICA-II Training Course in Marine Data Management, Casablanca, Morocco April 2-13, 2001.

Abstract

The First ODINAFRICA II Training Workshop in Marine Data Management was held in Casablanca, Morocco, April 2-13, 2001, attended by students from ten western African nations and one eastern African nation. ODINAFRICA is a data and information project working towards establishing a lasting network of marine and aquatic institutes in Africa. Its headquarters is located at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) in Mombasa, Kenya. Through its information services to the scientific community, the project aims at promoting the scientific capabilities of this continent. The objectives of the ODINAFRICA project are as follows: a) Provide marine scientists in Africa with the necessary bibliographic and scientific literature b) Make full use of the scientific literature available in Africa c) Promote and facilitate communication between marine scientists in Africa d) Promote and facilitate communication in Africa and other regions e) Promote the scientific activities of the marine and coastal scientists within and outside Africa f) Provide scientific information, and equipment, software and training to make full use of this information Under the leadership of the IOC, and with funding generously provided by the government of Flanders, the workshop was designed to address the final objective listed above. The workshop was organized locally in Casablanca by Dr. Maria Snoussi of the Université Mohammed V, Faculté des Sciences, Département Sciences de la Terre, Rabat, Morocco.