Acquiring scientific data and information from scientists and institutions. This involves visiting coastal districts, relevant institutions, departments and programmes/projects, and consulting scientists and stake holders.

Publicizing the DNA and ODINAFRICA project activities during visit to various places, and by presenting papers, participating in workshops etc.

Providing in-house training on relevant data and information management themes by organising training workshops and seminars, offering short-term internships/attachment at our Data Centre, conductiong demonstrations of our meta-database and other related activities.

We have developed a functional meta-database using the ACCESS software that consists of tables, queries, forms, reports and search engines. The main objective of the meta-database is to be able to locate and collect information that will give the first impression of types of information (including datasets) held by different scientists and institutions. Besides listing scientists and institutions, the meta-database also contains information regarding marine protected areas, coastal projects of national significance and coastal community activities at district level. Currently, we are converting the Meta-Database is into FileMaker format that will enables us to hook it on the Internet WEB to enable scientist and other stakeholders (including decision makers) direct access to data and information available.

So far, we have had several interactions with several other projects/programmes. This is very important as a way of publicizing the DNA and ODINAFRICA project, but also as a way for the DNA to understand what its clients want/need. Some of the data and information in the metadatabase were donated by these projects and/or programmes. In particular we would like to mention the close collaborations with TCMP (Tanzania Coastal Management Partnership) that has made it possible for the DNA to reach and to be known by ICM (Integrated Coastal Management) programmes in Tanzania.