ASFA Magazine Issue #5 December 2020

Abstract

In this issue, we celebrate ASFA’s upcoming 50th Anniversary. ASFA was first published as a monthly printed journal of fisheries and aquaculture abstracts in 1971 and in this issue, we look back over ASFA’s past, as well as looking at some of the plans in store for ASFA’s future, namely OpenASFA, one of the most exciting developments in ASFA’s lifetime. We also hear from ASFA Partner Coffi Ferdinando Rock GBEDO on how his institution (Benin Institute for Fishery and Oceanologic Research) has been affected by COVID-19. The ASFA Impact and Strategies Group reports on a survey they undertook to assess the impact of the pandemic on aquatic science libraries worldwide, finding that although libraries have had to deal with staff and budget cuts, many have found innovative ways to help their communities during this time of crisis. Lastly, we hear from long standing ASFA Partner Ian Pettman (Freshwater Biological Association, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) who reflects on the changes to fisheries his home town of Hull has seen over the past 50 years, and also provides an interim project report on his institution’s work to cover more Grey Literature for ASFA.