When Public Data Becomes Public Data, and Why We Can't Hold It Anymore

Adaptive management, structured decision-making, or whatever your favorite structure is for incorporating science into policy decisions, are inherently dependent on readily available sources of data.  The majority of fisheries data that is collected in the United States is publically financed either through allocation of tax dollars or through excise taxes on sportfishing equipment.  However, the majority of these data are still largely unavailable for making decisions on fisheries management, beyond the original purpose for which these data were initially collected.   Numerous issues have contributed to this dilemma, including lack of investment in data management, a culture of “data ownership” and “I’m going to publish this any day now”.  However the traditional hurdles for information management, lack of standards, lack of infrastructure and accessibility are now gone.  Failure to develop, report and make available, data that is collected in support of public fisheries management makes it difficult for the fisheries community to provide the accountability that is necessary to maintain long term public support of our activities.   Since the information management hurdles are largely gone, future work should focus on the social issues for making data available.