Implementing the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries: The role of libraries in supporting fisheries policy and management

The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries provides a policy framework for sustainable fisheries management. Decision and policy makers as well as resource managers and users all need diverse information to implement the Code in their varied communities. They are challenged to understand the breadth of the information and to access it effectively. These challenges are faced by all but are particularly acute in developing countries. In the spring of 2004, we investigated what information was needed to support implementation of the Code and how it can be accessed by all. To address the former, staff members in the FAO Fisheries Department were surveyed on their information needs, citations in selected Code-related publications were analyzed and key users in developing countries were interviewed. The information landscape in Africa and Southeast Asia was examined to summarize the access challenges. This paper focuses on issues with Code related information in the context of one of the case studies, the Bunda College Library in Malawi. Issues and challenges there are related to broader strategies and opportunities for fisheries libraries to improve the sharing of fisheries and aquaculture information needed to support the implementation of the Code.