REPORT OF THE STUDY GROUP ON BALTIC ECOSYSTEM MODEL ISSUES IN SUPPORT OF BSRP (SGBEM)

The third and final study group meeting of SGBEM took place from 24 to 26 April 2006 in Helsinki. Due to incomplete attendance of members of the SG and the attendance of only one member of other SG’s of the BSRP, a part of the tasks formulated in the Terms of Reference could not be fulfilled. The SG discussed several developments regarding modelling of the Baltic Sea system and highlighted the need for a new generation of models. In particular the issue of ecosystem-based research and advice the linkage of biogeochemical and fish production model is an important issue. A substantial part of the meeting was devoted to the presentation and discussion of future model approaches which encompass a substantial part of the marine food web and allow quantification of bottom up and top down the propagation of signal through the foodweb. The discussion of the critical review of the SGBEM Report 2005 led to some critical analysis of the conduction of the BSRP. The aims of the SG can only be reached if motivated people attend the meetings. But western experts had to come with their own funding while the attendance from the recipient countries was only marginal. There were doubts as to whether the mechanism of ICES Study Groups (one meeting a year, and a short presentation in the Baltic Committee) represents the best practice to conduct programs like the BSRP.