ICES role:
"Contribute to Identification, Extraction, Analysis / Synthesis of the Knowledge":
To ensure that relevant knowledge, already generated through marine environment research at both EU and national level, is identified, analyzed and made available in a format that is easily accessible and usable by policy makers and the wider MSFD stakeholder community. For that purpose, a solid methodology for collection, validation and harmonization of information will be put in place, including suitable collection criteria and tools tailored in accordance with the information supplier. Available information will be gathered, further analyzed and classified according to MSFD major themes: descriptors, criteria, indicators, pressures and impacts.
"Knowledge Gaps Assessment & Foresight":
To identify the needs for further research to improve the scientific underpinning for the implementation of the MSFD. Among other issues, this includes the identification of:
- the lack of knowledge regarding pressure-impact relations
- the accumulation of impacts on marine ecosystems and services
- the needs for establishing the sound basis required to design efficient control measures and monitoring programmes.
