Effect of Stakeholder Silos on Electronic Data Collection and Reporting Initiatives in Fisheries

There are various pitfalls on the path to the design, development, and implementation of systems such as electronic logbooks, hails, catch reporting and quota management in fisheries. Most pitfalls share a common cause: The tendency for fishery management and staff to operate in “silos” with limited knowledge of and communication with other groups within the fishery.

 “E-data” systems can affect a wide variety of fishery user groups and can provide vital data to stakeholders throughout a fishery, often in completely unforeseen ways. When systems are developed in silos, the results can range from missed opportunities for fishery-wide benefits to changes that cause unexpected burdens to other groups in the fishery.

Fortunately, when e-data systems are planned and implemented with adequate consultation and knowledge, these systems can actually improve communication and cooperation across the silos with significant benefits to all stakeholders.

The presentation will provide examples of e-data systems and the stakeholder groups that they can affect. Examples of silo-related problems will be presented and advice will be provided for avoiding the pitfalls of silos when introducing data collection and reporting systems.

E-data policy makers and those who are tasked with the implementation of e-data systems will benefit from this presentation.