The rationale and process for the development of ICES ecoregions is explained. Plus the lessons learnt from our experience. https://www.ices.dk/community/advisory-process/Pages/ICES-ecosystems-and-advisory-areas.aspx

1. ICES ecoregions
Mark Dickey-Collas
@DickeyCollas

2. Intergovernmental organisation
Network >1,600 active scientists
20 member countries
150+ expert groups
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

3. ICES role
ICES is recognised as an credible & legitimate
advisory body to governments & intergovernmental
organisations.
ICES develops science & advice on meeting marine
conservation, management & sustainability goals.

4. ICES creating, linking & translating knowledge
Science Advice & partners

5. Ecosystem Approach is central to ICES advice
https://www.ices.dk/explore-us/Documents/ICES%20and%20EBM.pdf
Dynamic &
impacted
ecosystem
Changing
societal
expectations
& impacts
Rudd et al 2018 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2018.00485/full

6. ICES Fishing Areas
1904 - 1980
Purpose:
• Collect fisheries statistics.
• Fish stocks associated with
fishing areas.

7. ICES initial advice on ecoregions
2004
Purpose:
• Individual regional areas for
ecological objectives
• For research, management,
assessment, monitoring,
enforcement

8. ICES initial advice on ecoregions
Evaluated the following existing systems:
• OSPAR regions
• ICES fishing areas
• Large Marine Ecosystems
• Longhurst Provinces
• Dinter Biogeographical Regions
• EU regional Advisory Council
Evaluated across 22 criteria (see table)
Ecoregions proposed based on biogeographic & oceanographic features,
taking account of existing political, social, economic & management divisions.

9. ICES existing ecoregions - scoping and iterations
2015
Purpose:
• Clarify borders
• Underpin regional
framework for ICES advice
• Bring advice for EBFM and
EBM together
• Enable regional innovation

10. How used… regional framework for all advice
EBM
EBFM
EBFM
>240 stocks

11. Lessons learnt
1. Do not assume that nations have agreed EEZ boundaries,
or management boundaries.
2. Fields of disciplines will be very wedded to their existing systems for regionalisation
& may not accept the notion of merging or splitting region for other priorities (e.g.
socio-political rationale). There will be purists that you will upset.
3. Once adopting ecoregions then do it with commitment and visibility, to show that
the ecosystem approach is at the heart of your science and advice.
4. Be very careful & sensitive to the issue of names.
The naming of the regions should be given a large amount
of attention, as the name of the region may have cultural,
disciplinary or political connotations.

12. Lessons learnt
5. Engage early and often with management authorities. Design an iterative process.
6. Determine criteria for regions across a range of categories/disciplines. Ensure
criteria for defining ecoregions consider both ecological & social (political)
processes. Remain flexible in addressing regional concerns as small boundary
changes are unlikely to undermine broad socioecological justification for the
regions.
7. Scope widely, and determine your stakeholders before the scoping.
8. Do not expect definitive regions as the end product.
Likely changes will be needed also after an agreement
has been reached. Ensure long term management
of the regionalisation system.

13. Lessons learnt
9. Be aware that boundaries from other regionalisation
systems or EEZ boundaries are also subject to change
over time. So although boundaries have been aligned
with these, this may not be the case in the future.
10. Expect to change some of the boundaries,
names or rationale through the process.
11. Link to a GIS system, & document & archive each
decision, as they may be challenged later.