Approved at the 2004 inter-sessional Science Board/Governing
Council meeting on May 7, 2004, in Jeju, Republic of Korea (Decision 04/A/6(i)). |
|
|
PICES Strategic Plan |
|
The Nations surrounding
the North Pacific Ocean depend on these waters for food, economic benefit
and recreation, primarily through the abundant living marine resources.
The ocean also provides transportation, while the coastal areas afford
desirable locations for human habitation. Human health, pollution, aquaculture,
overfishing and the effects of geo-tectonic processes are becoming major
issues. The importance of the oceans in climate, and the effects of variability
in climate on weather and on living marine resources are now recognized.
Yet integration of scientific knowledge on the North Pacific Ocean, along
with its marginal seas, has not occurred as a coherent effort in the past.
The North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) has undertaken this
task, by bringing together scientific expertise from the Contracting Parties
to synthesize and disseminate knowledge and design appropriate multi-national
research programs in response to identified needs. PICES is working to
advance knowledge and to develop an integrated understanding about how
the Pacific Ocean works, so that we can make predictions and improve human
conditions among the Contracting Parties. |
|
The PICES Mission |
|
To promote and coordinate marine scientific research in the North
Pacific Ocean in order to advance scientific knowledge of the area concerned
and of its living resources
|
The goal is to advance scientific
knowledge and capacity available to the Contracting Parties, including
information on human activities affecting, and affected by marine ecosystems,
and to provide a mechanism for collaboration among scientists in addressing
timely and critical scientific questions. |
|
The PICES
Mission calls for: |
|
|
|
|
|
Providing leadership on scientific issues
and identifying research priorities and problems pertaining to the
North Pacific Ocean, as well as appropriate methods for their solution; |
|
|
Promoting the collection and exchange of data related
to marine scientific research in the North Pacific Ocean; |
|
|
Recommending coordinated research programs and related
activities pertaining to the North Pacific Ocean to be undertaken
through the national efforts of the participating partners; |
|
|
Establishing effective arrangements for scientific
consultation and exchange; |
|
|
Coordinating and enhancing physical, chemical, biological,
and interdisciplinary research; |
|
|
Developing and implementing large-scale research; |
|
|
Synthesizing scientific information regarding the regions,
and making the results widely available; |
|
|
Responding to requests from the Contracting Parties
to provide advice on scientific issues relating to the North Pacific
Ocean; |
|
|
Building capacity within the scientific communities
of the Contracting Parties; |
|
|
Fostering partnerships with other organizations that
share a common interest; |
|
|
Informing interested parties and the public about marine
ecosystem issues. |
|
|
The PICES Strategy |
|
The PICES mission is built
upon five central themes: (A) Advancing scientific knowledge; (B) Applying
scientific knowledge; (C) Fostering partnerships; (D) Ensuring a modern
organization in support of PICES activities; and (E) Distributing PICES
scientific knowledge. Specific goals are identified within each of these
themes. The actions and activities required to meet each of these goals
will change over time, and will be described and updated regularly in
Action Plans of PICES permanent Committees. |
|
|
Theme
A. Advancing
scientific knowledge |
|
Goals 1and 2 address our
need to understand the Pacific Ocean system, a need that can only be addressed
by multi-national scientific cooperation. Effective resource management
by each Contracting Party requires comprehensive scientific understanding,
including for example, the role of the ocean in climate. Furthermore,
human populations residing in coastal regions are growing, and the sustainable
use of marine resources is a priority. The potential for disrupting the
marine ecosystems is increasing, but mitigation and effective use is possible
with sufficient information on the impacts of human activities. |
|
|
Goal 1.
|
Understand the
physical, chemical, and biological functioning of marine ecosystems |
The PICES scientific program
is dedicated to understanding and quantifying the physical, chemical and
biological processes of the North Pacific Ocean, including the oceanographic
and ecological responses to climate variability. Understanding biological
diversity, life histories and trophic relationships depend on development
of modern technologies for sampling the marine environment. |
|
|
Goal 2. |
Understand and quantify the impacts
of human activities and climate on marine ecosystems |
PICES recognizes that humans
are part of the ecosystem of the North Pacific Ocean. They are affected
by climate scale variability, and in turn conduct activities that impact
marine ecosystems. This goal addresses the ecosystem effects of fishing,
mariculture, contamination and eutrophication on the marine ecosystem,
and also includes physical habitat changes and accidental introduction
of non-native species. |
|
|
Goal 3. |
Provide advice on methods and
tools to guide scientific activities |
The quality of our science
benefits from comparable methods and techniques. PICES provides workshops
on, and opportunities for, inter-calibration of methodology and sampling
equipment, as well as collaborative opportunities to develop new, creative
methodologies. |
|
|
Theme
B. Applying
scientific knowledge |
|
Scientific knowledge can
be applied to address societal needs. This activity follows logically
from the previous theme, in that it demonstrates how scientific understanding
can assist with societal problems related to the North Pacific Ocean.
|
|
|
Goal 4. |
Provide scientific advice towards
wise use of the North Pacific Ocean |
PICES provides periodic
reports dealing with critical issues, including a comprehensive assessment
of the Status of the North Pacific Ecosystem. Information needed in support
of sound utilization and sustainable development of the marine environment
is a PICES priority. |
|
|
Theme C.
Fostering partnerships |
|
Collaboration and communication
lies at the heart of creating scientific knowledge and using it effectively.
PICES provides a forum that enhances international collaboration in the
North Pacific region, as well as with similar organizations throughout
the world. |
|
|
Goal 5. |
Promote collaboration
with organizations, scientific programs, and stakeholders that are relevant
to the PICES goals |
PICES develops close relationships
with scientific organizations and commissions that have shared goals it
also exchanges observers and carries out joint activities. Close collaboration
with regional and international programs is critical to PICES success.
PICES activities provide an opportunity for capacity building through
internships and expediting the involvement of young scientists in PICES
activities. |
|
|
Goal 6. |
Promote collaboration
among scientists within PICES |
PICES must continue to widen
the appeal of the PICES Annual Meeting, broaden the scope and readership
of publications, and continually develop new partnerships to address emerging
issues. PICES must be open to non-governmental scientists, and must ensure
the participation of underrepresented groups. |
|
|
Theme D. |
Ensuring
a modern organization in support of PICES activities |
|
|
The activities in support
of the primary mission of PICES require effective support and implementation,
as well as broad participation from the scientific communities of the
Contracting Parties. |
|
|
Goal 7. |
Provide an
effective infrastructure to support PICES programs |
An effective Secretariat
that supports the mission and goals of the organization is essential to
its success. |
|
|
Theme E. |
Distributing
PICES scientific information |
|
|
PICES has an important role in making information
resulting from the Organization’s activities available. |
|
|
Goal 8. |
Make the
scientific products of PICES accessible |
PICES needs to communicate
the results of its scientific activities broadly, through high quality
publications, the PICES web page, and production and dissemination of
educational materials. Maximize the use of electronic media as a vehicle,
to allow update as new information is produced. |
|