FAO launches new website for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture

The information in turn would help in gathering critical data to initiate measures to improve fishery management. The launch of website was announced at the fifth Conference on Fish Telemetry in Europe, convened 9-13 June 2003 in Ustica, Italy.
The application of telemetry in fisheries and aquaculture essentially involves tagging of individual fish of select species with very small transmitters. These transmitters are designed to take readings of different variables and then transmit the readings to receiver stations.
These and other details are combined to develop a comprehensive picture of fish behaviour, the state of the ecosystems they inhabit and how they react to external stimuli -- including human activities.
"Telemetry is a very useful tool," said Gerd Marmulla, an FAO Fisheries Resource Officer and one of the creators of the new Web site. "With this technique you can show fish behaviour and deduce appropriate management measures based on that data."
The FAO sees immense use of applying telemetry in fisheries and aquaculture, and plans to build on the website. The Organisation proposes to bring out a comprehensive manual that details all aspects of the use of telemetry in fisheries and aquaculture, later this year. The telemetry website can be accessed at :
http://www.agsci.ubc.ca/gbi/FAO%20Fish%20Telemetry