Ocean Data And Information Network In Africa-Phase-II

Abstract

The utilization of available data and information for management and exploitation of the marine environment and resources is one of the major challenges facing African coastal states. The success of development strategies will depend to a great extent on the availability and use of scientific and technical information in a form that can be readily understood and applied. Though several programmes initiated at the national, regional and global level have generated tremendous amounts of data and information, these have not been effectively used for national development. This has mainly been due to limited access to data collected in the framework of these programmes, and the lack of skills for analysis and interpretation of the data. There is a need to establish mechanisms for collection, quality control, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data and information.