OSPAR request on quality assurance arrangements for EcoQOs

OSPAR requested that ICES:

Review the quality assurance arrangements for the following ecological quality objectives as set out in the EcoQO Handbook (OSPAR publication 2007/307) and make suggestions for their further development and/or improvement: (i) oiled guillemots (ii) harbour seal population trends (iii) grey seal pup production.

Background

Quality assurance is a programme for the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service, or facility to ensure that standards of quality are being met. No quality assurance measures or guidelines have been developed or established for these EcoQOs.