Fisheries Information Users in Bangladesh

Abstract

Information is generally stored and preserved for the purpose of making it available whenever and wherever it is needed. Fisheries Information plays a vital role in fisheries research and development in Bangladesh. It is an important and valuable resource and affects societal development (Hanif 2005). Users need information in specific contexts. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) has established a Library and Documentation Centre (FRILDOC) to disseminate fisheries information to users. It has vast information resources on fish and fisheries including books, journals, reports, extension manuals, dissertations, conference proceedings and e-resources. Most of the fisheries information users in Bangladesh use FRILDOC. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation, Agricultural Research Institutes, teachers and students of fishery-related universities, researchers, policy makers, extension workers, farmers and private entrepreneurs are the main users of this information in Bangladesh. BFRI recently participated in the Aquatic Commons project of IAMSLIC (International Association of Aquatic and Marine Sciences libraries and Documentation Centers). Facilities provided by the Aquatic Commons Digital Repository are very useful to the users. BFRI always tries to enhance the flow of information to the users. The fisheries information users of Bangladesh also eager to become familiar with technology and information generated by Southeast Asian aquaculture and fisheries scientists through BFRI. This manuscript describes the fish and fisheries related information users of Bangladesh, i.e. educators, researchers, training specialists, and NGOs and private entrepreneurs, who are responsible for fish production.