Already considerable work was carried out to develop web-based information services. ODINAFRICA-IV will build on these, and in particular:

• An interface will be developed to access the records of African experts and institutions in the OceanExperts (www.oceanexperts.org) database. The records will be updated to ensure completeness and accuracy, including adding the publications of the experts. Details of national experts will be made accessible through the national NODC websites/portals.
• The database of ongoing/completed marine related projects developed in collaboration with NEPAD/COSMAR will be updated and availed through the ODINAFRICA website. An interface that facilitates easy data entry and updates will be developed. [Similar databases will be developed at national level].
• Library catalogues developed in earlier phases will be updated, quality controlled and merged to create an updated union catalogue of the libraries of the ODINAFRICA institutions [AFRILIB]. The records will be linked to full text articles where possible.
• The catalogue of marine related publications from/about Africa will be updated and availed online. The catalogue will be linked to the Ocean-Docs Africa repository.
• Electronic repository of marine publications and grey literature from Africa (OceanDocs-Africa – http://iodeweb1.vliz.be/odin/handle/1834/1337), will be improved with new partners recruited and trained to ensure broader coverage. The development of news services and applications enabling the linkage of publications to related dataset in the NODCs will be explored. Institutional repositories will be also developed to addresses the local needs. These will hold a wide range of materials such as multimedia resources besides scientific publication, posters. Documents and other information sources in danger of being lost will be identified and included in the repositories. These repositories will be a valuable information source for the management and decision-making. Collaboration will be explored with the LME projects.
• the development of journal view, already implemented for Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research (Egypt) Bulletin Scientifique de l’IMROP (Mauritania), Documents Techniques de l’IMROP (Mauritania), Document scientifique/Archives du CRODT (Senegal), Tuna Bulletin (Seychelles), and Bulletin de l’INSTM-Salammbô (Tunisia) will be extended to cover other institutions that produce their own publications.