Indigenous knowledge use in identifying artisanal fishing zones is the core issue in this dissertation. It seeks, on one hand, to show the potentially of this knowledge and to establish the relationships between indigenous and scientific knowledge in fishing zones identification and, on other the hand, it is also a trend for alleviating those fishing zones surrounding beaches, estuaries and bays highly exploited by artisanal fishermen. Pushing artisanal fishermen upward offshore and/or into the open sea, they will fish more quality and high economic value fish contributing to enhance their income. By so doing, artisanal fishermen will uplift their living standard and, at the same time, they will contribute to sustainable artisanal fisheries management. Angoche District in Nampula province, north of Mozambique is the study area. The study was carried out to describe the logical sequence underlying on the process of identifying artisanal fishing zones using indigenous knowledge. The relationship between indigenous and scientific knowledge is treated with particular attention. The nature of the study is descriptive and analytical based on qualitative and quantitative data. The method used for data collection was face-to-face interviews using structured and semi-structured open-ended questions. Data on socioeconomic, traditional and cultural practices, technological and climate characteristics were collected, analyzed and discussed. Factors underlying artisanal fishing zones were studied. Spatial and non-spatial information for artisanal fishing zones identification was recorded applying Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and, later, processed and analyzed employing Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Finally, a map showing the localization and distribution of the identified fishing zones in the study area was produced. Results from the research show that identification of fishing zones offshore or open sea can be done simply based on local indigenous knowledge. The GIS technology employment facilitates the inclusion of indigenous knowledge into other knowledge which can be used for local decision making. Sustainable fisheries management can only be achieved by developing a science based on the priorities of local people, and creating a technological base that includes both traditional and modern approaches to problem-solving. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Sound management of information and data is an essential cornerstone for efficient and effective decision making. Structured, up to date and easily retrievable data from several heterogeneous sources is often required to effectively manage, monitor and predict resource quantities particularly for depleting resources such as fish. The documentation and management of fisheries data in most developing countries however poses great challenges. The main aim of this study therefore is to design an information system (IS) for Artisanal Fisheries management. The developed IS is supported by a database. Secondary data, from the provincial offices of Moma and Angoche in Mozambique, is used to test and populate the prototype database. The manner in which the database is developed demonstrates how in practice a database can be created as part of an information system. However, due to time restrictions, a complete database for the AF system could not be developed. To accomplish the objectives of the study, a model of the Artisanal Fisheries (AF) system was developed first. Based on standard system development approaches, the key components of the AF system that include; processes, data flows and data stores, were identified. The developed conceptual system was then used to identify critical data stores for the AF system and data models were subsequently developed. A prototype database to support the AF system was then implemented in MS Access. The motivation for this study is as a result of two observations made on information management which are a challenge in artisanal fisheries management in Moma-Angoche. These observations are; (i) the current information system lacks a structured approach and a database to document and archive data/information on the artisanal fisheries subsector; and, (ii) the high proportion of the data/information collected from different sources is not well processed, analyzed and is not user-friendly as yet. The Moma-Angoche Provincial Fisheries office was chosen because it is strategically suitable for research. This has been demonstrated by the amount of socio-economic artisanal fishing census data already collected and by the research on stock marine resources already carried out. As a result, the study area has become a pilot zone of integrated fisheries development projects. During the life cycle of the various projects, and even after their termination, the area remained an important zone where subsequent studies (for example baseline studies) were carried out. Furthermore, the existence of subsequent data available from those studies allows a good opportunity for data comparisons to be made. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.