Project Summary

Effective conservation planning depends on the existence of reliable data on the status and distribution of fisheries resources. NaFIRRI houses a huge number of specimens that document spatial and temporal patterns of fish diversity in Uganda; however, the full potential of these collections has not been realized because the specimens and biodiversity information they hold are accessible almost solely to scientists at the institute. In addition, there are other institutions and individual scientists actively involved in monitoring and management of biodiversity data, but have data in formats that are technically unusable by other researchers, conservationists, and policy makers. Inevitably, these rich fish biodiversity data make little or no impact in terms of informing conservation policies. The goal of this project is to increase capacity for conservation of threatened fish species through data mobilization and training. The specific objectives are (1) to mobilize data on at least 10,000 fish records from Uganda's aquatic systems (including lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands), (2) identify and train scientists active in monitoring and management of fish biodiversity data in the use of data publishing tools, and (3) create awareness among policy makers in use of biodiversity information for decision making. The mobilized data will be published through GBIF and UgaBIF, and will be incorporated into relevant conservation policies in Uganda through close involvement of biodiversity research and management agencies, universities, and policy makers. In the long-term, this project is anticipated to increase capacity for evidence–based conservation, biodiversity research, and education.