ACP-EU Fisheries Research Initiative.

Abstract

The present report contains the proceedings of the INCO-DEV International Workshop on Information Systems for Policy and Technical Support in Fisheries and Aquaculture, convened in Los Baños, Philippines, 5 -7 June 2000. It was convened to address issues associated with the difficult transition from abundance to scarcity in aquatic resources. Reliable information will spread the right perception of the productive capacity and result in more realistic assessment of decreasing benefits and rising costs. Conservation of aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem approaches to fisheries and aquaculture production and food quality and safety along the entire chain from production to the consumer are key concepts that will govern approaches to aquatic living resources in the future. International trade is a major driving force in bringing many of these problems to a head, while also offering opportunities for socio-economic development. To this effect, scientists and other knowledgeable persons active in relation to these key aspects contribute a panorama of existing information resources, experience with their development, but also difficulties encountered. The papers point out avenues how global public goods necessary for the transition towards sustainability can be either created or more effectively shared. International cooperation based on mutual respect and interest, mobilising the best of science across continents to ensure trustworthy information and knowledge, is confirmed as a most useful approach to support societal demands for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.