Interim Report of the Working Group on Application of Genetics in Fisheries and Mariculture (WGAGFM)

The Working Group on Application of Genetics in Fisheries and Mariculture (WGAGFM) convened at the School of Biological Sciences, Queens University, Belfast UK, 11–13 May 2015. Thirteen delegates from 7 nations, discussed four Terms of Reference (ToRs), and associated matters. In addition there were ongoing discussions about mechanisms for enhancing the role of WGAGFM within the ICES community, and beyond, including potential contributions to the ICES Open Science session, and the ICES Science Fund, as well as specific responses to designated questions from the Working Group on Integrated Morphological and Molecular Taxonomy (WGMIT) and the Stock Identification Methods Working Group (SIMWG). The latter two Expert Groups had considered topics compli-mentary to those within WGAGFM, including the evidence base for genetic structuring in commercially exploited species, and the burgeoning role of DNA meta-barcoding in marine ecosystems. During 2015, and in conjunction with the ICES secretariat, there has been a review of WGAGFM membership, resulting in several new members joining the WGAGFM: Harri Vehvilainen, Finland; Johan Östergren, Sweden; Malte Damerau, Ger-many.