Report of the P/ICES Study Group on Strategic Planning (SGSP)

ICES and PICES are the major intergovernmental marine science organisations in the northern hemisphere, coordinating and steering activities of 23 countries, three of which are members of both organisations (Canada, USA and Russia). ICES and PICES have established a number of cooperative arrangements that include co-sponsored symposia, working groups, sessions in each other’s Annual Science Conferences and capacity building exercises. These are largely developed in response to the drive and synergy of scientists in the networks, and in the absence of a formal plan for coopera-tion. This document provides a framework for these cooperative activities to be de-veloped, implemented, steered and managed, based on ICES and PICES needs and aspirations. The framework was developed by a study group on strategic planning, and will guide scientists and officers from both organisations in the development of this ongoing and expanding cooperation.