Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP) and the Hilborn Lab at the University of Washington today released a new version of their Fishery Improvement Projects Database (FIP-DB), which celebrates its 5th anniversary this year.
Based on publicly available data, the FIP-DB is the most comprehensive database of its kind, with historical time series data on FIPs reaching back to 2003, when the first FIPs were established. The database is mainly intended for use by fisheries management researchers, but is also an important tool for industry and non-profit stakeholders, to understand the influence of internal and external factors affecting FIP performance and success. The findings from research using this database may ultimately lead to better management decisions, better FIP design and implementation, and improvements on the water.
The database currently includes data attributes and performance indicators for the 300 FIPs that have been initiated to date. “As the demand for sustainable seafood continues to grow, new FIPs continue to be initiated around the globe, adding to the countries, areas, species and types of fisheries that have established work plans to improve the sustainability of fishing operations,” said SFP Senior Scientist Pedro Veiga. As the FIP movement expands, and new data about the characteristics, progress and performance of each FIP is collected, this database is a critical resource for systematized historical FIP-related data.”
An improved and updated tableau dashboard with key insights about FIP-related indicators is also available for consultation by a broader audience, such as the seafood industry and nonprofit organizations. New this year is also an option to download a simplified version of the entire database. From the database website, users can download a file with multiple tables in Excel format. More information on each of the variables included can be found in the database metadata.
The database complements and draws from existing web resources on FIPs, including the Improvement Projects tracker by SFP’s FIP evaluation program, and also FisheryProgress.org, the one-stop shop for understanding current information about FIP progress.
The FIP Research program also continues to maintain an open access resource library, to highlight and collate scientific research relevant to FIPs. The ultimate goal of this library is to have all of the disparate sources of FIP-related information accessible in a single place. To contribute documents or other resources to the library, please contact SFP.