Our Expert Participation in Key Organizations
ICES – International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
ICES is an intergovernmental organization based in Copenhagen, dedicated to advancing and sharing scientific understanding of marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic, including the Baltic Sea. It coordinates research, monitoring efforts, and provides advice on conservation, management, and sustainability. Key clients of ICES include the European Commission, international organizations, regional conventions, and individual member states.
With a network of nearly 6,000 researchers from 20 member countries, ICES brings experts together through working groups, workshops, and committees. Approximately 150 Swedish experts participate in ICES working groups, with around 80 of them based at SLU Aqua. Learn more about ICES and our involvement in the organization.
STECF – European Commission’s Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
STECF is a scientific expert group comprising 35 members, appointed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG Mare). It supplements ICES' advice to the Commission, primarily supporting legislative proposals and policy monitoring. Membership is granted for three years through an open call by DG Mare, and members serve in a personal capacity as experts, not representing their home countries. One committee member is from SLU Aqua.
HELCOM – Helsinki Convention
HELCOM is responsible for coordinating efforts to improve the environmental status of the Baltic Sea, involving representatives from regional parties to the convention. The work is led by a secretariat in Helsinki and carried out through various working groups and projects, many of which include experts from SLU Aqua.
OSPAR is a regional convention focused on preventing pollution and protecting the environment in the North-East Atlantic, including the North Sea, Skagerrak, and parts of the Kattegat. The OSPAR Commission leads and manages this joint work, with a secretariat in London. SLU Aqua staff participate in various OSPAR working groups.
Baltfish
Baltfish is a regional forum where representatives from the governments, authorities, and stakeholders of EU countries surrounding the Baltic Sea gather to discuss fisheries management. The equivalent group for the North Sea (including Skagerrak and Kattegat) is the Scheveningen Group.
These regional groups can propose joint recommendations on fisheries legislation to the EU Commission. SLU Aqua staff regularly participate in expert groups and meetings within both Baltfish and the Scheveningen Group to support Swedish government representatives.
DCF – Data Collection under the EU Common Fisheries Policy
SLU Aqua plays a key role in fulfilling Sweden’s monitoring and data collection obligations under international treaties. This includes the EU Common Fisheries Policy, as well as the national data collection framework (DCF). In Sweden, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV) coordinates the national data collection program.
The Role of ICES and SLU Aqua
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
ICES is an international organization that coordinates marine research and provides scientific advice for the sustainable use of the oceans. It boasts a network of nearly 6,000 researchers from over 700 institutes and research organizations, with SLU Aqua being one of the key contributors.
ICES primarily focuses on the North Atlantic, North Sea, and Baltic Sea, but also works in collaboration with strategic partners to extend its reach to other areas like the Arctic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and North Pacific.
One of ICES' major tasks each year is to deliver catch estimates (quotas) for commercial fish stocks to the European Commission. Learn more about this work.
A Network of Thousands of Researchers
ICES is headquartered in Copenhagen, where its secretariat of around 60 staff members provides scientific and administrative support. However, the bulk of ICES’ work is carried out by researchers funded by its member countries.
Every year, over 2,500 researchers from around the world contribute to ICES' efforts, presenting their findings at conferences, meetings, and in the ICES Journal of Marine Science.
ICES Organizational Structure
The highest decision-making body of ICES is the Council, made up of representatives from member countries. The Scientific Committee (SCICOM) oversees scientific activities, while the Advisory Committee (ACOM) provides advice on fisheries and marine ecosystem issues. Within both committees, experts collaborate in specialized groups, such as advisory, study, and review groups.
SLU Aqua’s Contribution of Expertise
Approximately 150 Swedish experts participate in various ICES groups, with around 80 of them employed at SLU Aqua. Experts can be invited by the chair of an expert group to contribute to ICES' work, but the majority are nominated by their respective governments. In Sweden, this process is coordinated by the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure. The Swedish staffing of ICES expert groups is organized by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, in consultation with authorities, universities, organizations, and ministries.
Examples of Committees and Working Groups Involving SLU Aqua Experts
The Science Committee is ICES' overarching scientific body, with each member country represented.
ACOM translates ICES' scientific findings into advice and responds to requests from the EU, international commissions, organizations, and authorities.
WGBFAS provides scientific assessments of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea and adjacent areas, from the Kattegat to the Gulf of Bothnia.
WGBIFS plans, coordinates, and conducts bottom trawl and hydroacoustic surveys in the Baltic Sea.
WGBIOP acts as a bridge between those collecting and analyzing biological data and the end-users who apply biological parameters for stock assessments and fisheries modeling.
WGIAB is a collaborative scientific forum between ICES and HELCOM, focused on developing ecosystem-based assessments and management interventions for the Baltic Sea.
WGRMES focuses on resilience and marine ecosystem services in the context of fisheries and ecosystem management.
WGSAM develops advice on how to implement an ecosystem-based approach in fisheries management.
WGSFD compiles and analyzes spatial fisheries data to assess fishing effort, intensity, and frequency in European waters.
