FSIS is a data collection system currently being used for data entry at approximately 150 DOFM enumerators/ offices around the country to input about 150,000 fishermen and aquaculturist profiles, 48,000 fishing vessel profiles, and around RM13 billion a year worth of value of fish landing and aquaculture-production data. FSIS is being used concurrently with a web-based system, known as Executive Information System (EIS), which acts as a data visualization system that can create and display thousands of reports at any one time using millions of data kept in the server by FSIS since 2010. By using the Random Stratified Sampling Method as DOFM's main sampling framework to capture overall fisheries production in the country, FSIS has been programmed and scripted with nationally-approved sampling formulas or equations so that the enumerators in every state and district will only need to collect the data from only samples instead of from 150,000 of fisheries stakeholders which are the fishermen and the aquaculturist and do not need to involve in any manual calculation in the system as the calculation is being automatically done by the FSIS. As a result, DOFM managed to produce reliable fisheries data every month, in every state, every district, every species, every type of fishing gear, and so on, for the purpose of reporting and policy-making since 2010. FSIS is striving and supporting international outcomes towards a paperless working environment which is equivalent to a reduction of tax money expenditure, and minimal work but reliable data to the enumerators. From personal perspectives, FSIS together with the comprehensive random stratified sampling method can be set as examples and replicated in other developing countries to enhance national fisheries statistic activities as this method will ensure minimal expenses and work labor but the coverage will be nationwide and definitely will help the countries to plan better for sustainable fisheries in the near future.

https://www.brs.dof.gov.my

• Malaysia

• Remote and rural communities
• FISHERMEN, AQUACULTURIST

FSIS can be replicated in any country that in needs to enhance its national data collection and visualization ability, not only in the fisheries sector but also in any relevant sector. In DOFM case, FSIS is currently being operated by using Oracle for FSIS (Capture Fisheries), and Microsoft Visual Basic for FSIS (Aquaculture), but the decision of the system engine is up to the country to decide whichever is more convenient. But to successfully implement FSIS, the country will need to have a comprehensive listing or framework so that we can develop a sampling framework, size sample, and also design the FSIS that can fit into the country's requirements.

FSIS is being used since 2010, and every year FSIS were always updated with new features to fit the current requirement and needs. For instance, 10 years ago there was no requirement for data collection by vessel size, but now the data on vessel size is one of the top requested data by the stakeholders. It has been 12 years and FSIS is still going strong as one of the best data collection systems in the country. The data field and metadata are always improving from time to time, and more and more reports can be generated and fed to the government for more accurate policy and decision-making.

FSIS promotes the utilization of ICT in DOFM as well as among the stakeholders. By slowly abandoning the traditional method of data entry and introducing the element of the internet and ICT, the data collection and reporting have drastically enhance time management and working efficiency in DOFM culture, from hours of data entry on hundreds of paper and documents to minutes of data entry and reporting in a single window on daily basis