CHALLENGES IN ROUTINE DATA
COLLECTION IN MARINE FISHERIES GHANA
TRAINING IN OPEN ARTFISH
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The fisheries sector of the economy
strives on knowledge of the resource
base be it resource aspects,
economics, markets, Technology,
social environment etc
All theses involve the collection of data in
a unified and systematic way for an
expected end.
Fisheries statistics data collection- :
refers to basically:
 Catch by species,
Fishing effort, (ie number of boats, trips
fishermen etc)
Prices and Value of fish,
Number of ports and landing sites,
Type and numbers of fishing units by gear
category.
Biological parameters- length/weight etc
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 1 Role of field staff
The backbone of any fishery data
collection /survey is the field team of data
collectors and supervisors.
Training
Training of data collectors ought to take
into consideration their capacity of carrying
out their instructions
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Quality of collected data
Quality of produced statistics is a direct
function of the effectiveness and
timeliness of field operations involving
data collectors and supervisors.
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Mobility of data collectors and
supervisors
Mobility of data collectors affects the
quantity of collected data .Low mobility
due to lack of transportation means
reduces statistical coverage and increases
the risks of biased data, since data
collection is always conducted at the same
few locations.
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Mobility is also important for supervisory
functions lack of which would leave data
recorders on their own and without
supervision and guidance.
 Motivation
Data collectors and supervisors should be
motivated for performing their work, and
not only financially. They ought to have a
precise idea as to the purpose and utility
of their work and feel part of the team.
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Operational experience
Field staff should be given the opportunity
to attend workshops and training courses
concerning operational aspects of data
collection, since their operational
experience would contribute positively in
survey planning and revisions to survey
design.
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2 Role of office staff
 Monitoring
Organizing and reviewing primary data
obtained from the field, including editing
and data checking, and undertaking
corrective actions where and when
necessary.
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Computer operations
Operating computer-based procedures for
the effective storage of primary data,
derivation of estimates and preparation of
working documents, statistical bulletins
and yearbooks.
 Data dissemination
Dissemination of processed data and
resulting fishery statistics for use by other
national, regional and international user
groups.
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Strengths
Good knowledge of fishing systems
Easy adaptability of collecting systems
Excellent co-opearation of local
fishermen/chief fishermen
Strong community spirit.
Potential for mobilisation due to large
number of fishermen.
Experience about fish resources and
harvesting techniques.
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3 Frequent problems
Timing of field activities.
Few or no landings occur during the
allocated time at a landing site. (Review
site).
Recorders remain “idle” for long periods at
a landing site. If feasible, better use should
be made of their time.
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Selection of landing sites
Sites are not representative of all
boat/gear types and for certain fisheries no
samples can be collected. Sampling sites
should be reviewed.
Concurrent use of fishing gear
In recording sample effort of a landing it
may happen that a boat has operated
different gears in one fishing trip.
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General problems/ challenges
Arithmetical errors .Precision and digit bias
Coverage errors
Insufficient field supervision
Editing errors
Coding /punching errors
Errors in processing (tiredness etc)
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CONCLUSION:
Quality of fisheries statistics produced
depend, to a large extent, on the quality
of catch data collected at sampling and
landing sites. A balance between needs
of field and office staff is essential in
producing good statistics all year round.
-Manpower-Logistics-Funding-
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MARINE FISHERIES RESEARCH DIVISION,
TEMA
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Thank you
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