ICSF:An International Information Network for Fishworkers

Fisheries and associated industries contribute significantly to national and global economy. The small-scale and artisanal fisheries play an important role in nutrition, food security, livelihoods and poverty alleviation, especially in developing countries. Such a sector of economic and social importance needs timely information support on various facets at different levels, including policy making, management, regulation, disaster warning, marketing and trade, finance, developments in relevant techniques and technology, training, etc., at the local, national and international levels. In this context the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) has been working on issues of concern to small-scale fi^ries and fishing communities, with a particular focus on small-scale fisheries in countries of the southern hemisphere since its inception in 1986. ICSF has been acting as a catalyst to influence rtaAomi, regional and international decision-making processes in fisheries. ICSF is registered in Geneva, with a Programme Coordination Centre in Chennai, India, and a Liaison office In Brussels, Belgium. Describes the activities of the Documentation Centre (DC) of ICSF: collecting, compiling, organizing and disseminating information in different media and formats, through a variety of print and web-based products and services. Networking, in particular with fisheries-related non-governmental organization in different countries, for collection, exchange and dissemination of information, is briefly described. Some sample outputs are given.