ICES provides scientific advice focused on meeting societal needs for conservation, management, and sustainability of marine resources. It serves governmental and intergovernmental organizations for policy development and ecosystem assessment, ensuring adherence to international standards through stakeholder engagement. The document outlines how ICES forms its advice based on credibility, trust, and quality while addressing complex environmental issues.

1. 4 questions about ICES advice
Mark Dickey-Collas
Chair of ICES Advisory Committee (ACOM)
@DickeyCollas

2. 4 questions
What is ICES advice?
Who can ask ICES for advice?
Why do they ask ICES?
How do we give advice?

3. 1.
What is ICES advice?

4. ICES advice
…by employing the knowledge of ICES to
effectively meet the societal needs for impartial
evidence, and to generate state-of-the-art advice
on meeting conservation, management and
sustainability goals.

5. Translation and application of knowledge
Science: knowledge creation Advice: knowledge translation

6. ICES advisory area
• National waters
• International waters
Science for sustainable seas

7. Examples
• What are the consequences of catching fish?
• What are the trends in bird populations?
• What is the footprint of the trawl fishery?
• Do my analytical methods meet international standards?
• Where are the biodiversity hotspots?
http://www.ices.dk/community/advisory-process/Pages/Latest-Advice.aspx

8. Regular advice

9. 2.
Who can ask ICES for advice?

10. ICES, a knowledge
provider to policy
formers & decision
makers
Only governmental &
intergovernmental
organisations

11. ICES advice is used for
• Policy development and revision
• Management of marine activities
• Assessing the state of the marine ecosystem
• Monitoring effectiveness of management measures
• Exploring conservation objectives
• Ensuring international standards are met

12. Knowledge translation/exchange

13. But not only work with governments…
To provide advice/evidence, need to engage with:
• Requesters of advice
• Scientists/researchers
• Stakeholders:
• Industries
• NGOs
Cvitanovic et al 2019

14. 3.
Why do they ask ICES?

15. Translation and application of knowledge
Advice: knowledge translation
To enable ICES to effectively meet societal needs :
• credibility
• legitimacy
• trust & transparency
• quality
• relevancy & reachability

16. Evidence based decision making
The EU Common Fisheries Policy (2014)
… with the best available scientific advice, broad
stakeholder involvement and a long-term perspective
Criteria, threshold values, and standardised methods for monitoring
and assessment should be based on the best available science.
The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2017)

17. Researchers provide the evidence for
society’s decision in light of objectives

18. Trust and transparency…
• trust
• transparency
• quality
• relevancy
• reachability
Can you have too much trust?

19. Problem defining, request construction
I have a problem, how do I solve it?
ICES offers:
• experience of forming requests
• knowledge of the expert network
• available dialogue & support
• overall context of
evidence 4 policy

20. 4.
How do we give advice?

21. Holsman et al 2017 & ICES
What is the question?

22. Ensuring best available,
independent, credible
advice

23. Balancing human activities &
environmental stewardship
in a multiple use context
Smith et al 2017
Ecosystem Approach to Management

24. Thank you