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Fishbase

Entry ID: OBIS.Fishbase

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Summary

Abstract: FishBase is a global information system covering all aspects of fish biology, ecology, population dynamics, life history, and usage by humans. The information is provided in monthly updates at http://www.fishbase.org/. Occurrence data stem mostly from museum collections, less from surveys and the scientific literature; in addition, about 1,000 observation records were reported by the public (fish ... watchers). Fish were collected with varying gear and deposit of specimens; also trawl surveys and a few individual observations, e.g. by anglers or divers. Habitat coverage includes, marine, brackish, and freshwater.

FishBase is a relational database with information to cater to different professionals such as research scientists, fisheries managers, zoologists and many more. FishBase on the web contains practically all fish species known to science. The FishBase 2000 release summarizes the accumulation and structuring of knowledge on fish biology and ecology over the more than 10 years since its inception. FishBase 2000 now covers over 25,000 species of fish known to science, has over 70,000 synonyms and 100,000 common names in over 200 languages. The names are the key to accessing knowledge accumulated over time and mobilising scientific and non-scientific knowledge systems. Over 25,000 pictures illustrate these fish and information about them has been extracted from 20,000 references. The classification of higher taxa follows the version of Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes updated in November 2000. The FishBase 2000 CD-ROM contains full information on 25,000 species and comes on 4 CD-ROMS.

This following information is for obtaining the CD version. The FishBase book has 344 pages and gives in-depth information about the concepts and data sources of FishBase. It can also be used as a textbook as it explains many concepts in the fields of biodiversity, fish and fisheries. You can order FishBase by sending a US$ 95 cheque from a US-based bank, payable to 'ICLARM', to ICLARM/FishBase, MCPO Box 2631, 0718 Makati City, Philippines. Alternatively, you can send a 99 cheque payable to FishBase, to FishBase, IfM, Duesternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany. Institutions can order FishBase with a regular invoice. Registered owners of previous copies of FishBase can obtain upgrades for US$ 50 or 55. Prices include shipping by airmail.

All classes of fishes are represented, Myxini (hagfishes), Cephalaspidomorphi (lampreys), Holocephali (chimaeras), Elasmobranchii (sharks & rays), Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes), and Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), with altogether 29,200 of 30,000 estimated species.

The data can be accessed through the following web portals (see Related URL field below):
-OBIS, Ocean Biogeographic Information System, CoML (Census of Marine Life) web portal.
-EurOBIS, the European Ocean Biogeographique Information System.
-SCAR-MarBIN, the Marine Biodiversity Information Network, Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, International Council for Science.

Related URL

Link: GET DATA

Description: OBIS Advanced Search Data Extent Map and related functions

Link: GET DATA

Description: MarBEF Data System EurOBIS Distribution Map and related functions

Link: GET DATA

Description: Southern Ocean data is downloadable from the SCAR-MarBIN web portal

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Description: FishBase home page

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: 88.0

S: -80.0

E: 180.0

W: -180.0

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: Froese, R. And D. Pauly, eds.

Dataset Title: Fishbase

Dataset Release Date: 2001

Dataset Release Place: Manila, Philippines

Dataset Publisher: International Center for Living Aquatic Resources (ICLARM)

Version: Fishbase2000

Data Presentation Form: database

Online Resource: http://www.fishbase.org/

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1800-01-01

Stop Date: 2003-07-16

Location Keywords

OCEAN > ARCTIC OCEAN

OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN

Science Keywords

BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > FISH > RAY-FINNED FISHES
BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > FISH > SHARKS/RAYS/CHIMAERAS
BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > FISH > LAMPREYS/HAGFISHES
BIOSPHERE > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE HABITAT

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

OCEANS

Instrument

TRAWL

VISUAL OBSERVATIONS

Project

OBIS > OCEAN BIOGEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

IPY > INTERNATIONAL POLAR YEAR

Access Constraints None.

Use Constraints Acknowledge the use of specific records from contributing databases in the form appearing in the 'Citation' field thereof (if any); and acknowledge the use of the OBIS facility.

For information purposes, email to obissupport@marine.rutgers.edu the full citation of any publication made (printed or electronic) that ...

Ancillary Keywords

Habitat coverage: all aquatic habitats, including marine, brackish and freshwater

Biogeography

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Originating Center

FishBase, WorldFish Center

Data Center

Flanders Marine Institute, Belgium

Data Center URL: http://www.vliz.be/

Data Center Personnel
Name: WARD APPELTANS Phone: +32-(0)59-34 01 55 Fax: +32-(0)59-34 21 31 Email: ward.appeltans at vliz.be Contact Address: Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) Wandelaarkaai 7 City: Oostende Postal Code: 8400 Country: Belgium

Distribution

Distribution Media: HTTP

Distribution Format: OBIS Schema

Fees: None

Personnel

ELI AGBAYANI

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Fax: +63-49 536-0202

Email: E.Agbayani at cgiar.org

Email: FishBase at cgiar.org

Contact Address:

WorldFish Center

3rd Flr., Khush Hall, IRRI, College

City: Los Banos

Province or State: Laguna

Postal Code: 4031

Country: Philippines

RAINER FROESE

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Fax: +49 431 600 1699

Email: rfroese at ifm-geomar.de

Contact Address:

Leibniz-Institut fur Meereswissenschaften an der Universitat Kiel

20, Dusternbrooker Weg

City: Kiel

Postal Code: 24105

Country: Germany

Publications/References

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2006. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. http://www.fishbase.org/, version (MM/200Y).

R.A. McCall and R.M. May, August 31, 1995, FishBase article (exact title unknown), Nature, v. 378:735, 31

K. Matsuura, Unknown date, FishBase review (exact title unknown) Journal article, Journal of Ichthyology, Vol. 42 (3/4): 342

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2005-11-25

Last DIF Revision Date: 2009-04-20

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