Preliminary Report of the Sub Group on Research Prioritisation Marine Strategy Framework Directive, 7th Meeting of the Project Coordination Group, Brussels, Belgium, Wednesday 4th November 2015 SCAR-Fish Strategic Working Group on Fisheries and Aquaculture Preliminary Report of the Sub Group on Research Prioritisation Initial Analysis of Results Paul Connolly, Sub Group Chair Ireland (Chair), Italy, Norway, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Research Prioritisation Content SCARFish and its TOR’s Addressing SCARFish TOR’s 3 Process Developed and Adopted Some Initial Research Priorities by SCARFish Next Steps 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

SCAR - Standing Committee on Agriculture Research Foresight Process Common Research Agendas Mapping EU Capacities Identify Scenarios Foresight Conferences Agreement on Priority Research Topics Mapping Activities and Infrastructure Regular Survey and Alert Mechanisms Collaborative Strategic Working Groups Report on Gaps Trends and Needs Joint Programming Input to H2020; Identify Priority Research Needs; ERA-Nets and JPI’s; New and Sharing Existing Infrastructure European Research Area for Fisheries and Aquaculture Communication to EP and Council Communication via SCAR Website 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Common Fisheries Policy “ The Ministry Perspective “ The key policy driver for SCARFish New Common Fisheries Policy SCARFish “ The Ministry Perspective “ Better Coordination between MS and Commission on research and innovation for Fisheries and Aquaculture (>€200 million annually) Cost Effective Research Effort; Economies of Scale; Avoid Duplication; Improve Efficiency; Share Results; Joint Funding; Linking Existing Work 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

1. SCARFish Terms of Reference TOR 1 Linking Member States and EU Commission TOR 2 Develop Collaborations TOR 3 Priority Topics and Tasks TOR 4 Information on Foresight, Common Research Agendas, Capacities 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

SCARFish TOR’s TOR 1 - Linkage To forge a strong linkage between Member States Ministries in charge of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the European Commission (DG Research, and Innovation, DG MARES, DG Environment) TOR 2 – Collaborations To further develop existing collaborations and initiate new collaborations between Member States, on a long term basis, to achieve a cost effective system of research and innovation effort in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture that supports the Common Fisheries Policy. These collaborations will use existing structures and new collaboration instruments and initiatives. 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

TOR’s (continued) TOR 3 - Research Priorities To develop an agreed list of fisheries and aquaculture common research priorities That need to be addressed by SCAR-Fish and that inform the Commission and MS administrations. TOR 4 – Information To collate existing information and where necessary collect new information in the areas of foresight, common research agendas and mapping EU capacities to support a European Research Area (ERA) for fisheries and aquaculture. 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Terminology Used Research Theme Research Topic Research Project (e.g. Aquaculture; Seafood; Ecosystem Knowledge;) Research Topic (e.g. Marine Spatial Planning; Cumulative Impacts; ) Research Project (e.g. Food web Interactions in Celtic Sea demersal fisheries; Digital technologies to improve the monitoring and collection of data) 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Addressing SCARFish TOR 3; SCARFish – A Process to Identify Common Research Agendas I Compile a Set of Strategic Documents II The Matrix - Develop an “Initial Long List “ of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Topics III Identify Common Topics, Key Words, and Broad Themes VIII Member States find mechanism to fund and implement Addressing SCARFish TOR 3; Identifying Common Research Priorities IV Merge Similar Topics into Broad Topics VII Member States Agree on Common Research Priorities in form of Research Topics and Projects VI Commission and COFASP Indicate which Topics already covered by Research Projects V Member States Indicate their Priority Topics 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

The Work Schedule Jan. 2015 Apr. 2015 Sept. 2015 Nov. 2015 20th Jan – 8th SCARFish meeting – Approach and Methodology , Get Data from Member States 2nd Feb – First schedule circulated to Sub Group 13th Feb – Revised Schedule and MARIFish matrix Circulated to All Feb-Mar – Strategic Documents Received – Reviewed – Identify Topics on F,A,S,I 18th March – First Version of Collaboration Matrix Circulated to Sub Group 7th April – Second Version of Collaboration Matrix Circulated to Sub Group 10th April – Second Version of Collaboraton Matrix Circulated to All 22nd April – 9th SCARFish Meeting – Initial Results – Agree Final Approach and Methodology May to July – Countries complete matrix and submit to Sub Group August – Initial Analysis of responses for presentation to 10th SCARFish Meeting 8th Sept – 10th SCARFish Meeting – Present Results – Fill in Gaps - Agree Next Steps Sept-Oct- Final Analysis by Sub Group - Draft Report on Research Priorities (Key is to avoid duplication) 26th Nov. – 11th SCARFish Meeting – Final Results - Can we set up and fund Projects ? 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Six Broad Themes 59 Broad Topics I Aquaculture - 12 Broad Topics II Ecosystem Knowledge – 12 Broad Topics III Ecosystem Management - 9 Broad Topics IV Fisheries - 15 Broad Topics V Infrastructure (2 Broad Topics) VI Seafood (9 Broad Topics) 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

14 Countries Responded to Matrix on Research Priorities 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Aquaculture – minimise pollutants; escapees; feed; 14-29; Aquaculture in a full ecosystem context – Diversified and healthy seafood for Consumers – New species – breeding using genetics to enhance management, Performance, disease and parasite resistance – cultivation of marine algae; 2-30 ; Aquaculture in a Full Ecosystem Context – Decrease the environmental impacts of Aquaculture – minimise pollutants; escapees; feed; 57-33; Aquaculture – Technology Development – recirculation facilities; multi trophic; 65-41; Spatial Planning and Carrying capacity; Inform MSP; Cumulative effects on ecosystem functioning; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Aquaculture – minimise pollutants; escapees; feed; 14-29; Aquaculture in a full ecosystem context – Diversified and healthy seafood for Consumers – New species – breeding using genetics to enhance management, Performance, disease and parasite resistance – cultivation of marine algae; 2-30 ; Aquaculture in a Full Ecosystem Context – Decrease the environmental impacts of Aquaculture – minimise pollutants; escapees; feed; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

57-33; Aquaculture – Technology Development – recirculation facilities; multi trophic; 65-41; Spatial Planning and Carrying capacity; Inform MSP; Cumulative effects on ecosystem functioning; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Food webs; Mapping spawning grounds and other essential fish habitat; 26 – Fisheries in a full ecosystem context – improved knowledge on population biology and dynamics; Stock boundaries; Life Cycles; Distribution and Environmental interactions; Food webs; Mapping spawning grounds and other essential fish habitat; 21 – How species adapt to changing climate; 27 – Fisheries in a full ecosystem context – fishing gear – reduce by catch 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

26 – Fisheries in a full ecosystem context – improved knowledge on population biology and dynamics; Stock boundaries; Life Cycles; Distribution and Environmental interactions; Food webs; Mapping spawning grounds and other essential fish habitat; 27 – Fisheries in a full ecosystem context – fishing gear – reduce by catch 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

21 – How species adapt to changing climate; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

51; Monitoring and Management – Long term integrated Management Plans 10; Sea Fisheries - Linking productivity with ecosystem interactions; Support EAFM; Mitigation and/or elimination of discarding; Achieving MSY for European fisheries; 51; Monitoring and Management – Long term integrated Management Plans For resource use; Models that can predict dynamics of ecosystems and activities undertaken; Technology to improve monitoring and data collection; 12; Implement ecosystem based management – Obtain knowledge on drivers of change - climate; acidification; harvesting; pollution; Cumulative impacts; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

51; Monitoring and Management – Long 10; Sea Fisheries - Linking productivity with ecosystem interactions; Support EAFM; Mitigation and/or elimination of discarding; Achieving MSY for European fisheries; 51; Monitoring and Management – Long term integrated Management Plans for resource use; Models that can predict dynamics of ecosystems and activities undertaken; Technology to improve monitoring and data collection; 10th SCARFish Meeting, Sept. 2015

- climate; acidification; harvesting; pollution; Cumulative impacts; 12; Implement ecosystem based management – Obtain knowledge on drivers of change - climate; acidification; harvesting; pollution; Cumulative impacts; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Boundaries of MSFD and small scale and recreational fisheries; 4; Combine DCF and MSFD monitoring and data needs using technology and ships of opportunity; data quality; databases; data access; 7; Implementation of MSY and Management Plans; Evaluate present performance and design of future management plans and targets; Implementation of MSY within Boundaries of MSFD and small scale and recreational fisheries; 3; Improved and automated monitoring systems – Delivering information required for implementation of MSY to relevant, timely assessments and predictions; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Boundaries of MSFD and small scale and recreational fisheries; 4; Combine DCF and MSFD monitoring and data needs using technology and ships of opportunity; data quality; databases; data access; 7; Implementation of MSY and Management Plans; Evaluate present performance and design of future management plans and targets; Implementation of MSY within Boundaries of MSFD and small scale and recreational fisheries; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

3; Improved and automated monitoring systems – Delivering information required for implementation of MSY to relevant, timely assessments and predictions; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

13; Investment and co-ordination of infrastructure to improve data collection and monitoring. 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

13; Investment and co-ordination of infrastructure to improve data collection and monitoring. 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Methodology; Practical implementation; Validation; 28; Use of underutilized components of catch; optimise catch waste use in production of meal and medicines; 35; Consumer health – Investigate and document the human health benefits of seafood; Risk – Benefit analysis for seafood consumption; healthy seafood at all price range; 36; Traceability – complete traceability of seafood; Consumer confidence; Methodology; Practical implementation; Validation; 17: Document the quality characteristics of seafood for marketing and sales; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

28; Use of underutilized components of catch; optimise catch waste use in production of meal and medicines; 35; Consumer health – Investigate and document the human health benefits of seafood; Risk – Benefit analysis for seafood consumption; healthy seafood at all price range; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Methodology; Practical implementation; Validation; 36; Traceability – complete traceability of seafood; Consumer confidence; Methodology; Practical implementation; Validation; 17: Document the quality characteristics of seafood for marketing and sales; 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Agree we have identified a first set of Next Steps 1 Agree we have identified a first set of Common Research Agendas (CRA’s) or A First Common Set of Research Priorities We continue to have some problems with Member States responses - Refine At some point we have to close and proceed ! 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

We must avoid duplication ! Which priority research topics (or Common Next Steps 2 We must avoid duplication ! Which priority research topics (or Common Research Agendas - CRA’s) are already funded ? Use Commission Knowledge and COFASF Database 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Identify those research topics where there Next Steps 3 Identify those research topics where there agreed priority and no duplication Identify Mechanism to Implement and fund? EU Funding Mechanism Horizon 2020 – EMFF Direct Management Countries Co-operate Other mechanisms – Discussion 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

Some Lessons Learned Develop a method that is simple and all buy into ! Make use of recent existing work ! Response format from MS is simple ! Selection of Strategy Documents – Not Exhaustive ! List of Themes and Topics – Ensure Policy Fit ! Analysis of Results – Simple and Transparent ! Conduct Regional Analysis ! Time it takes ! Ensure we avoid duplication in selected priorities ! Link to funding opportunities – Show work has impact ! 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

In Summary A Process to identify Common Research Agendas (CRA’s) First look at Top CRA’s (Topics) in each broad theme Some Lessons Learned Next steps Refine Member States responses Are these CRA’s already funded ? (Commission and COFASP) Identify CRA’s and Projects that need to be funded Agree mechanism to fund 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015