We receive advice requests from public authorities, including:
We may also on our own initiative draw the attention of competent authorities to marine matters of potential societal importance which may require attention.
The science for some advice is created in partnership with General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO).
The science network produces the best available information to answer requests using peer-reviewed methods, which is released as consensus advice by the advisory committee (ACOM).
Principles of ICES advice
Our advice is grounded by 10 principles to ensure that it is based on the best available science and data, and is relevant, pragmatic and operational to the policy or management challenge in question.
Best available science and data
The basis for the advice is a compilation of relevant data and analysis by core researchers in the field. This analysis is peer-reviewed by scientists with no direct interest or stake in the matter.
Legitimate process
The basis for the advice including the scientific analysis and peer review is fully documented and public through our website. The process is transparent as all steps in the process are open to observers from competent authorities. The advice is agreed upon by Advisory Committee (ACOM), which includes scientists appointed by each ICES member country government.
Operational and policy-relevant advice
The advice is developed in a process where the scope of the request is initially clarified with the requester. Scientists, experienced working at the science/policy interface, are tasked to translate scientific analysis into operational advice.
Read the Guide to ICES advisory framework and principles.
Go to Advice section on our website.
