1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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
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10. 7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

11. 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

12. 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 Broad Topics
V Infrastructure (2 Broad Topics)
VI Seafood (9 Broad Topics)
7th PCG Meeting, Nov 2015

13. 14 Countries Responded to Matrix on Research Priorities
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14. 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

15. 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;
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16. 57-33; Aquaculture – Technology Development – recirculation facilities; multi trophic;
65-41; Spatial Planning and Carrying capacity; Inform MSP; Cumulative effects on ecosystem
functioning;
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17. 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

18. 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

19. 21 – How species adapt to changing climate;
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20. 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

21. 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

22. - climate; acidification; harvesting; pollution; Cumulative impacts;
12; Implement ecosystem based management – Obtain knowledge on drivers of change
- climate; acidification; harvesting; pollution; Cumulative impacts;
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23. 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

24. 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

25. 3; Improved and automated monitoring systems – Delivering information required for implementation of MSY to relevant, timely assessments and predictions;
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26. 13; Investment and co-ordination of infrastructure to improve data collection and monitoring.
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27. 13; Investment and co-ordination of infrastructure to improve data collection and monitoring.
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28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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