Harnessing Citizenry Awareness and Technology to Improve Fisheries Information: The Power of Data

Abstract

Fisheries sustainability is imperative if we aim to feed an ever-growing population and sustain the livelihoods that depend on them. Despite substantial progress in the science behind fisheries management, more than 90% of the world's fisheries remain unassessed due mostly to data deficiencies. Here, I illustrate the importance of data collection and accessibility in driving fisheries sustainability and propose some innovative solutions to address data deficiencies needed to provide informed management decisions and policy making.