Collecting fishery production data is greatly facilitated by the use of computer software that can design a data collection system, process and safely store the data and produce reports as required. For such purposes, and depending on the statistics and capacities available, a number of more or less complex generic commercial software can be used (Stagraphics, SPSS, etc.), a list of which can be found under Further Information - without implying any endorsement by FAO.

FAO has produced and continues to develop a specific fisheries software ARTFISH (Approaches, Rules and Techniques for Fisheries statistical monitoring) which assists users in dealing with the methodological and operational aspects of planning, establishing and running fishery statistical systems. ARTFISH is supported by operational guidelines and handbooks.