PERSGA serves as the umbrella uniting and spearheading the efforts of its seven member states. A key function of this role is facilitating, within and among Member States and all relevant sectors, communication, knowledge-sharing and know-how. Harnessing the expertise of more experienced states can greatly contribute to efforts in less experienced countries, providing both examples of success as well as contributing lessons-learnt on less-successful initiatives, so mistakes are not repeated.

In terms of information exchange, the Shared Vision Programme has identified the following needs:

• Provision of GIS services and recurrent monitoring information to member states.
   
• PERSGA and member states will develop a ‘Regional Information System for the RSGA region’ and will contain a number of databases containing information on: (a) physical and biological characteristics and resources of the region, including archived data on marine and coastal biodiversity and habitat structures, (b) spatial planning information on human activities and development affecting the coastal and marine environment, including transportation routes and pollution risk areas, non-renewable extraction areas, coastal development and land-based pollution sources.
   
• RSGA Centre of Excellence in Coastal and Marine Management—as an information hub, training and research centre.