SOCIB present at ICES Annual Science Conference 2019

Diego Álvarez-Berastegui has participated in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Annual Science Conference 2019 (ICES ASC 2019), held at Gothenburg (Sweden), 9-12 September 2019.

The presentation from SOCIB focused on the new opportunities to advance in the integration of the environmental variability and marine habitats into the processes for assessment for fisheries.

The study of the response of fish populations to environmental variability has been a main interest of fisheries ecology during the last decades, with several stock assessment frameworks starting to implement environmental driven processes. Mounting recent research has highlighted the potential of mesoscale and submesoescale oceanography for improving the calculation of fish abundance indices, recruitment scenarios or to implement dynamic spatial management approaches. At the same time operational oceanography has been advancing fast, propelled by the implementation of new multi-platform observing systems and also by the improvement of the data quality, quantity and accessibility. Nevertheless, the initiatives directed to facilitate and promote the systematic integration of operational oceanography into the current fisheries management are scarce. Linking operational oceanography with fisheries sciences indeed offer a new path for improving the efficiently and the scientific basis of fisheries assessment and management. However, in order to achieve this objective a number of gaps and challenges have to be resolved. Here we identified successful study cases implementing a practical “operational fisheries oceanography”, analyzed the state of the art, and identify the gaps to be resolved. We also propose a roadmap towards the integration of these two disciplines in the Mediterranean Sea by aligning the developmental strategies of the fisheries management bodies and the ocean observing systems.

During the conference 763 participants from 38 countries gathered to present and discuss the latest marine science, develop new ideas, and establish partnerships. The scientific programme provided opportunities for everyone, from students and early career scientists to senior scientists and leaders of research institutes, to engage and contribute.

ICES is an intergovernmental marine science organization, meeting societal needs for impartial evidence on the state and sustainable use of our seas and oceans.

Acknowledgments

The activities presented by SOCIB in the ICES ACS 2019 show results developed in the framework of various projects: the BLUEFIN TUNA project (funded by SOCIB and IEO) and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Grant Agreement No 773713 (PANDORA).

Related links

  • Álvarez-Berastegui, D., Hidalgo, M., Reglero, P., Balbín, R., Díaz-Barroso, L., Mourre, B., Hernández, I., Orfila, A., Tintoré, J. From theory to practical “operational fisheries oceanography”, an emerging field for linking species ecology, oceanographic processes and fisheries assessment needs. 9 Sep 2019. Session R - Oceanography and ecosystems in the North Atlantic: science and operational services. Presentation - Abstract
  • ICES ASC 2019 programme (Link)