Abstract

To be successful, ecosystem-based management (EBM) and the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), as with any environmental management effort, require the best available information. The required information includes all forms of hard copy and electronic information. Whereas hard copy documents have a long history of management and use through libraries, the management and use of electronic information is still evolving. With the existing Internet capability, coastal and fisheries managers have the potential to search, find, access and use an incredible amount of information online. In this lies the challenge of having appropriate access to the salient pieces of information within an ever-expanding plethora of information. Technology is quickly evolving to facilitate access to available knowledge. However, the need for human interest, trust and participation in data sharing is also key to providing natural resource managers with access to the various kinds of information required for their decision-making process, be it EBM or EAF. No one person or agency has, or can control, all of the information required to adequately manage coastal and marine ecosystems. This chapter will attempt to demonstrate the necessary balance between personnel and technology in a modern-day spatial data infrastructure (SDI).

Introduction

To quote Gillespie et al. (2000), “In order for data or information to be useful for coastal management, or any other application, it must be both comprehensive and accessible. A major challenge for anyone involved in the management of coastal areas is simple access to data and information in a timely fashion.” Gillespie et al. are referring to both geospatial and non-geospatial data and information. With regard to the former, the associated spatial data infrastructures – SDIs (also known as geospatial information infrastructures) – are vital to supply the data and information on which to base complex decision-making associated with sustainable resource management and development. The challenges of ecosystem-based management and the ecosystem approach to fisheries – and integrated coastal and ocean management (ICOM) in general – were recently documented by Sale et al. (2008). They state that there is a need to improve the flow of information among management agencies, the quality of the information and its subsequent analysis.