Assessment of the environmental conditions in the Skagerrak and Kattegat

In 1982, the Nordic Council of Ministers requested ICES to

establish a forum through which scientists working in the

Skagerrak/Kattegat area could present their results for discussions, and identify research and investigation projects of common interest. The forum should function as a coordination mechanism for the activities in the Skagerrak/Kattegat area. The Bureau initiated that a group of representatives from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden met during the 70th Statutory Meeting of ICES to discuss the questions raised by the ICES General Secretary.

The result of the discussions led to a recommendation from the Marine Environmental Quality Committee (MEQC) and finally to a resolution from the ICES Council about the establishment of a Working Group. The Group finished its work in January 1986, and presented the

Assessment of the Environmental Conditions in the Skagerrak and Kattegat in April 1986. During the ICES 74th Statutory Meeting in October 1986, it was decided to publish the assessment in the Cooperative Research Report series. I am thankful to Dr J.E. Fortmann who has given valuable comments on the draft of the assessment, and to Dr J.F. Pawlak for editing help.