The Marine Board Working Groups are the primary foresight and priority-setting tools of the Marine Board. Working Groups are established on topics of strategic importance for marine sciences in Europe which are yet to be addressed properly or lacking visibility.
The Marine Board Working Groups are composed of high-level European scientists and experts (up to 15 persons). The Working Group’s expected outcome is the realisation of a Marine Board Position Paper which aims to provide clear strategic management and scientific recommendations to impact on current and future national and European research agendas. The target audience is therefore, in first instance, the national and European programme managers and science policy advisors/developers. The average duration for a Working Group to prepare a draft position paper is approximately 18 months.
The Working Groups' activities are also intended to strengthen the particular research domain and depending on the subject, consolidate and catalyse/stimulate the emergence of new networks which potentially lead to new collaborative projects.
The Marine Board Position Papers are available for download here
Download full list of Marine Board publications (annex 10 of the Annual Report 2010) here
On-going Working Groups
- Working Group on Oceans and Human Health (WG OHH) will provide an assessment of the European research capability and future science and policy needs to successfully address this emerging area in the next ten years, building on relevant experience in other parts of the world (particularly in the USA). Read more here
Photo: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Credit: Kirt L. Onthank
- Working Group on Risk Assessment and Monitoring of Existing and Emerging New Chemicals in the European Marine and Coastal Environment (WG POL) aims at reviewing the need to monitor and assess the substances currently being monitored and/or assessed in the marine environment; reviewing the existing knowledge on the environmental effects and risks of chemicals released by the offshore oil-industry in the North Sea; analysing the existing methods used to evaluate the impact/risks of chemicals in marine systems, based on recent scientific knowledge; and proposing improved procedures and identify future R&D needs... Read more here
Photo: Effects of chemical pollution on reef inhabitant: Skeletal deformities in the Shortspine Velvet Urchin (Tripneustes gratilla elatensis) from a polluted shore. Credit: Dr. J. Dafni
- Working Group on Marine Microbial Biodiversity (WG MICROCEAN) aims to (i) re-emphasise the importance and role of microbes in the marine environment; (ii) indentify strategic areas for European marine microbial diversity research, specifically in relation to ecosystem functioning, biogeochemical cycling and environmental change; and (iii) provide recommendations and a roadmap to guide European research in the medium term (to 2020). In the resulting Position Paper, the Working Group will draw up a list of the major research challenges and opportunities in this field and outline the priorities which should be addressed by the European Research community for the period 2011-2020. Read more here
Photo: Planctomycete Pirellula is a globally distributed marine bacteria
- Working Group on Marine Protected Areas (WG MPA) - Marine protected areas (MPAs) are areas for which protective, conservation, restorative or precautionary measures have been instituted for the purpose of protecting and conserving species, habitats, ecosystems or ecological processes of the marine environment. MPAs are being considered at the national, regional and global levels as a mechanism for the protection of marine biodiversity, the conservation of ecologically sensitive areas and endangered species and the sustainable management of all human activities including fisheries, research, education and recreation. It is also becoming accepted that, correctly implemented, MPAs constitute a strong management tool and a key starting point to pave the way for Ecosystem-based Management of the marine environment. The Marine Board WG on MPAs aims to provide a framework to inform, engage and empower stakeholders in future MPA planning. The WG gathers experts from different scientific expertise and from different international, national and regional organisations. Read more here
Photo credit: Joelle Garello
Marine Board Position Papers
- Marine Board Position Paper 15 Marine Biotechnology: A New Vision and Strategy for Europe (September 2010) was prepared by the Marine Board Working Group on Marine Biotechnology (WG BIOTECH). Position Paper 15 provides an updated view of Marine Biotechnology to policy makers at European and national levels and to EU and national scientific and administrative officers involved in activities in support of marine research and the interacting fields of health, food, environment and energy. The Position Paper gives a renewed impetus to this field of research which is of strategic importance for Europe while its opportunities remain largely underexploited... Reach more here
Download Position Paper 15 here
- Marine Board Position Paper 14 Science Dimensions of Ecosystem Approach to Management of Biotic Ocean Resources, SEAMBOR (April 2010) - The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires that each Member State develops strategies to achieve Good Environmental Status in European seas by 2020. This challenge can only be met by taking a multidisciplinary approach. The Marine Board, ICES and EFARO recommend concrete research priorities to achieve an Ecosystem Approach to the Management of European Oceans and Seas. This will be underpinned by: (i) a better understanding of marine ecosystems and how humans interact with them; (ii) the development of appropriate management and governance systems; (iii) use of integrated assessments; and (iv) knowledge transfer... Read more here
Download Position Paper 14 here
- Marine Board Position Paper 12 Remote Sensing of Shelf Sea Ecosystems (February 2008) - About 50% of the European territory consists of the waters of shelf and semi-enclosed seas. To monitor these seas properly, it is essential to complement conventional in situ analysis methods with data obtained using remote sensing technology. However, because of key characteristics of shelf seas ecosystems (e.g. the heterogeneity of water content, the diversity of inputs, etc.), it is much harder to derive confi dent measurements of their properties through satellite remote sensing methods than is achieved over the deep ocean. This position paper summarises the current capabilities of satellite remote sensing methodologies, identifi es their weaknesses and presents a structured set of recommendations to maximise their effectiveness in monitoring shelf sea ecosystems.
Download Position Paper 12 here
- Marine Board Position Paper 10 European Ocean Research Fleets: Towards a Common Strategy and Enhanced Use (March 2007) - European ocean research fl eets and associated equipment are essential to support and advance marine research priorities and agendas, securing Europe’s leadership in marine research and technology. This position paper provides an inventory and description of the existing fl eets and draws recommendations on their enhanced use and management at a pan-European level. Representing a sound basis to develop further progress towards the integration of European research fl eets, is has been a key driver in the development of the EUROFLEETS FP7 I3 project.
Download Position Paper 10 here
- Marine Board Position Paper 9 Impacts of Climate Change on the European Marine and Coastal Environment (March 2007) - The climate in the 21st century is expected to be largely different from the recent past and will likely impact on regional sea environments in different ways. This position paper provides an overview of the future climate change research needs and challenges both at the European- and regional-seas levels. It identifi es future research challenges in terms of climate change monitoring, modeling, and the development of appropriate indicators. Its conclusions support the development of climate change research strategies and inform the development of policy.
Download Position Paper 9 here
Download full list of Marine Board publications (Annual Report 2010 Annex 10)
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