Capability of scientists and researchers Comparability of methods Publicationsgrey literature

70

3.4.4 Data analysis methods and procedure

In most of the studies, data was analysed using standard procedures for fisheries studies. This ofcourse depended on the aspects that were being examined. For example, Length weight relationship of fish were examined following Le Cren 1951, e.g. Rubindamayugi, 1983,; Mhitu, 1987; Mgimwa, 1988 and Jiddawi, 1999. Statistical tests were analysed as elaborated in Zar 1984, e.g. Mhitu, 1987, Mgimwa 1988. Growth and Mortality estimates were done using the Fish Stock assessment programme of FAO, e.g. Jiddawi, 1999. 3.5 Quality, usefulness and reliability of data and information 3.5.1 Duration of studies The duration of the studies varied according to the nature of study and whether it was pure research or research leading to an academic degree. Some were of long term lasting up to several years Jiddawi, and Stanley, 1999 whereas others lasted for a few days only Meyers, 1999. Phd and MSc thesis related data collection was generally of about 1-2 years and thus took longer periods Mziray, 1983, Rubindamayugi, 1983, Mhitu, 1997, Mgimwa, 1998, Jiddawi, 1999. Undergraduate projects normally lasted for about 2 to 3 months Amir, 1997, Ongera, 1997. These were aimed at giving baseline information on some fisheries aspects. Some rapid assessment surveys lasted a few days. These were only aimed at determining where the fishermen fished and to provide baseline information on the fisheries Horst, 1999, Gaudian and Richmond, 1990.

3.5.2 Capability of scientists and researchers

Capable renowned local and overseas scientists with high academic qualifications did most of the work on fisheries. Some were conducted by junior scientists such as undergraduate students who worked under supervision of experienced scientists. Their work provided a platform for other people to pursue indepth studies. Consultancy research work has also been conducted by experienced personnel from FAO and World Bank, for example Tiffney, 1984; Wiljikstrom, 1988, Hoekstra, 1990, Ardill, 1991. The available information is therefore quite reliable.

3.5.3 Comparability of methods

The methods used on the discussions on fishery profiles are comparable as they were mostly conducted by FAO and they involved summaries of analysis of statistical data available in the fisheries departments using the same format FAO, 1982, Sanders, 1999, Ardill, 1984. The methods on the surveys on resources varied. Some used interviews Carrarra, 1985; Anderson et al., 1997; Nasser, 1995 others did actual observations through diving Darwall et al., 1996 and observations at the landing markets Jiddawi and Stanley, 1999 and through actual surveys using research vessels Merret, 1968, Birkett, 1978; Anon, 1983; Msumi, 1988. The methods used in the studies on the biology of fish species were somehow comparable as they all observed similar aspects and followed similar methodologies. Monitoring of the fish resources in the different areas differed depending on the interest of the scientists.

3.5.4 Publicationsgrey literature

Out of 331 references listed about 70 are grey literature. About, 52 of these reports were published in international journals Hatchell, 1938; Morgan, 1959, Losse, 1964; Merret, 1968; Bwathondi and Ngoile, 1982, Ngoile, 1982, Gaudian et al., 1995. The rest of the reports appear as seminar and proceedings, for example; Ardill and Sanders, 1991; Muhando and Jiddawi, 1998, Jiddawi and Stanley, 1999; Mgaya et al., 1999. Some are 71 Institutes annual reports, for example; Darwall, 1995, Mmochi, et al., 1997, Jiddawi et al., 1994. Others are consultancy reports, for example; Horrill, 1992, Killango, 1984, Barnett, 1997, student reports Knox, 1999, Meyers, 1999. Graduate thesis Mhitu, 1997, Mgimwa, 1997, Jiddawi, 1999. Most of the above publications can be obtained from Universities. FAO reports with limited publications can be obtained from the FAO headquarters in Rome. The abstracts of these reports can also be found in ASFA. Some of the fisheries information has been documented as videos and are available through the Marine extension development unit of the Institute of Marine Sciences.

3.5.6 Age of information oldrecent