Effective decision-making for integrated fisheries and natural resource management requires accurate and timely information. MRAG has developed considerable expertise in data and information management through the design and implementation of numerous information systems for fisheries and environmental resources. In fact, information technology underpins so much of MRAG's work that a sub-unit has been created within the organisation, called MRAG IT, to service the Information Technology needs of each project. The skills of MRAG IT, include systems analysis, database design, data management, software development and GIS.

MRAG's experience in building database systems and applications was developed through its involvement in the management of large commercial fisheries such as those of South Georgia, Falkland Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) and Namibia. The requirement to process and analyse large volumes of data in a timely and efficient manner places large demands on available computing facilities and generates the demand for sophisticated data processing systems.

Other IT projects have included the development of computer software for the quantitative assessment of fishery resources, specifically for use by scientists in developing countries, and designed to provide access to powerful data analysis techniques often beyond the scope of many developing country institutions. These include the popular software tools LFDA (Length Frequency Data Analysis), CEDA (Catch Effort Data Analysis), Yield and PFSA (Participatory Fisheries Stock Assessment).

GIS

MRAG is also utilising Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capabilities to develop integrated procedures for the spatial modeling, mapping and monitoring of fisheries data. These are currently being implemented by MRAG in the management of several highly active commercial fisheries in the south Atlantic and western Indian Oceans.

Projects

Title Region End Date
Blue Marine Foundation Non-quota species landings and value update

This project was a continuation of previous work on UK cuttlefish and whelk fisheries…

Europe
REM Data Integration

The goal of the project was to explore how data from Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM…

Europe
Scientific and technical advice for the management of maritime waters in British Indian Overseas Territory (BIOT)

A 200 nautical mile Fisheries Conservation and Management Zone (FCMZ) was declared…

Indian Ocean
Overview of the state of data collection and scientific advice in the European Outermost Regions with case study on a roadmap towards regular stock assessment in French Guiana

The European Commission has recognised a need to assess the state of fisheries data…

Europe
Image by Quang Nguyen vinh from Pixabay Coordinated assessments of marine species and habitats under the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The study aim was to support the Commission’s work to better coordinate assessments of…

Europe
Development of a fishing fleet management and licensing system

Seychelles, under the Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared…

Indian Ocean
Development of a fishing fleet management and licensing system

Seychelles, under the Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared…

Indian Ocean
Improving scientific advice for the conservation and management of oceanic sharks and rays

One of the objectives of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is to restore and…

Global
ICCAT bluefin tuna trade, market & auction data analyses - Data recovery plan

The comprehensive ICCAT Atlantic-Wide Research Programme on Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT GBYP)…

Antarctic Ocean
Second Review of the ICCAT Atlantic-Wide Research Programme on bluefin tuna (ICCAT GBYP PHASE 6-2016)

The Atlantic-wide research programme for bluefin tuna was officially adopted by the…

Atlantic Ocean
Technical Recommendations to Improve the EU IUU Regulation Catch Certificate System

A coalition of NGO’s (The Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, The Pew Charitable…

Europe
MRAG Project Scientific research, fish stock assessment and training of IMBO and MFMR staff and students (WARFP)

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources had received a loan from the IDA and a…

Africa
MRAG Project Tracking IUU product to UK markets

This product aimed analyse the potential amount of IUU product making its way into the…

Europe
BNF Staff Training Course

The in-country capacity need for skills and capacity to develop, maintain, extend and…

Africa
Specific Contract under FWC MARE/2011/01 Lot 2; Evaluation of the Data Collection Framework (DCF)

This evaluation assessed the results obtained through the Data Collection Framework (…

Europe
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Fisheries Management.

The work undertaken by MRAG for Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich…

Atlantic Ocean
System of WISE-Marine Reporting Sheets for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The overall aim of the project is to assist the Commission with the development of…

Europe
Specific Contract under FWC FISH/2006/09 Lot 2

MRAG Ltd provided an interim evaluation of the work done under the marine knowledge…

Europe
Provision of a study on information systems supporting fisheries controls in the European Union (CFCA/2010/B/02)

This project contributes to the formulation of recommendations on best practices and…

Europe
MRAG Project BIOT Inshore fisheries

The inshore fishery in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT, Chagos Archipelago)…

Indian Ocean
Legal Marine Data infrastructure

This purpose of this Study wa to support measures towards the establishment of the…

Europe
MRAG Project BIOT Attendance at Additional Scientific Meetings

Scientific Representation, Stock Assessment and Research for additional meetings…

Indian Ocean
Workshop on UK Overseas Territories activities associated with UK obligations under ICCAT

The UK is a member of the International Convention on the Conservation of Atlantic…

Atlantic Ocean
MRAG Project Developing Policy Recommendations on the exclusion of Illegal Fishery Products from Supply Chains in UK

The overall objective of the study was to contribute to developing a range practical…

Europe
Refinement and web-enablement of the WCPFC Record of Fishing Vessels

This project required MRAG to refine and web-enable the WCPFC Record of Fishing…

Pacific