Many different types of information and data are generated and managed by the ACEP team. A large amount of information about coelacanths, the history of the Programme, our partners and sponsors, events and team members may be found on this site. A dedicated section on technology and equipment showcases some of the tools that are used for research, and the Science section gives an overview of the scientific activities on the Programme. Activities and information for each country may be accessed in the Regional Activities section. The Reports and Publications page provides online access to most of our documents, and the Maps and GIS section is the portal for information about ACEP's spatial mapping and research.

ACEP is a highly active research programme that collects large amounts of oceanographic and ecological data on its extensive cruises in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). An active and evolving information management strategy is key to the safe archiving and effective use of these data, which have long-term value to science, students and the general public, throughout the WIO region. Ecosystem processes in the western Indian Ocean are poorly known for a number of reasons. Data have often been collected on an ad-hoc, short-term, project-driven basis, many areas and taxa are poorly surveyed, and data sets are not easily accessible. Existing information is not readily shared between programmes and institutions within the WIO region, as there is limited personnel capacity for information management within many institutions, generally limited infrastructural capacity for digital communication (access to the Internet), and a history of institutions working in isolation, and using sampling methods that are inconsistent and therefore incomparable. There is also a common belief that data are the intellectual capital of an institution, so should be retained and not shared freely.

ACEP seeks to facilitate information sharing between scientists, institutions and programmes in the WIO, through providing information directly, encouraging collaboration and establishing and promoting regional inter-institutional networks of key stakeholders. A regional network of information coordinators has been established with representatives in each of the ACEP countries. Through this network, capacity building opportunities are provided on the programme, both in terms of training courses and registration for degree studies, and in the provision of infrastructure that is necessary to facilitate information management and the sharing of information about shared ecosystems in the region.

The complex nature of marine ecosystems demands that an integrated approach be used to interpret the underlying driving forces and processes. ACEP has established a series of regional marine Information Systems to meet this challenge. A marine Geographic Information System (GIS) that has been developed by the programme is used to store, integrate and analyse all the spatial data collected on the programme. In addition to the GIS, a number of other databases and systems on the programme are used to manage other kinds of information, such as photographs, and scientific equipment. These information resources have a long-term value to Africa, and are at the core of the development of a regional system.

Data that are collected on each of ACEP's cruises are stored in a number of formats in various locations. Please vew the Expeditions section for an overview of each of the cruises, or download the ACEP Data inventory here (coming soon), for a look at the raw data collection that has taken place to date.

The management of information on the programme is a complex and challenging task. This Overview of Information flow (coming soon) is a diagram illustrating the interrelationships of the various components of the programme, and the ACEP Information Management Strategy (a draft will be available on this site by the end of July 2005) provides a guideline for information collection, management and archiving for each sub-discipline.

For more details or questions about Information and data, please contact Lucy Scott.