We have a key responsibility in reviewing and updating ICES Ecosystem Overviews for the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast, and the Celtic Seas ecoregions. Sub-regional areas of interest include the West of Scotland, Celtic Sea, Irish Sea, Bay of Biscay, Cantabrian Sea, Galician Waters, Western Iberia, and the Gulf of Cadiz encompassing five countries (Ireland, UK, France, Spain, and Portugal). Our work builds on case studies within these sub-regional areas to identify key trends, pressures, and threats, and to understand the ecosystem dynamics within our ecoregions.
The overall aim of WGEAWESS is to produce high quality science that underpins holistic, adaptive, evidence-based management. As a group we have a particular interest in risk assessment, integrated trend analysis, multiple modelling approaches (foodweb, fisheries and spatial), and collaborating with other ICES groups to evolve and update the Ecosystem Overviews and move towards implementing IEAs as a tool for marine management. In this regard, we are exploring ways to effectively incorporate the socio-economic and climate change side of our ecosystems into management.
The group has been meeting annually since 2011 and has representation from all countries in its ecoregions.
