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3. Science, Research and Performance Indicators
3.1 At the first meeting of AGMACS, Robin Cook was asked to chair a sub-group investigating the issue identified in "Seas the Opportunity" to "identify indicators of progress towards objectives, including identifying new research and science needs". This work took the form of three meetings of a sub group and the presentation of paper AGMACS(06)28 ( Annex 3) to the fourth meeting in September 2006. The paper's recommendations were approved at the meeting.
Workstream Recommendations
3.2 AGMACS(06)28 made the following recommendations.
Developing performance indicators
3.2.1 The Marine Assessment and Reporting Group ( MARG) should be the primary forum in which performance indicators should be developed.
3.2.2 The Group presents a list ( Annex 1 of science stream report) as a first compilation of an inventory of data that is relatively easy to prepare. The Group recommends that if DEFRA lets a contract to compile an inventory, this would provide a suitable means of documenting all the appropriate data currently available and there would be no need for a stand alone Scottish data identification exercise. Annex 1 should be passed to DEFRA as an initial contribution from Scotland.
3.2.3 The Group recommends that the Scottish Executive should support Scottish input to marine data centres and the Marine Data and Information Partnership ( MDIP) process and add value to it from a Scottish perspective.
3.2.4 If the MDIP process clearly does not address Scottish needs, add value to Scottish capacity or it is found that due to the requirement of, for instance, MSP, that Scotland's needs are not being met, then the Group recommends Scotland should consider establishing its own marine data centre, first undertaking an appraisal of the costs and benefits.
New areas of research
3.2.5 A review should be undertaken under each of the three Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department ( SEERAD) science strategy cross cutting themes (responding to climate change, protecting biodiversity, environmental, social and economic sustainability) to document current marine research and how this relates to the three indicator categories of 'clean and safe', 'healthy and biodiverse' and 'productive'.
3.2.6 Research should be undertaken on the science of indicators and how they can be useful to managers.
Integration and co-ordination of science and research
3.2.7 SEERAD should convene a meeting of heads of marine and coastal science organisations and other relevant agencies to discuss how a science co-coordinating body might be established and function.
AGMACS Recommendation
3.3 In considering workstream recommendation 3.2.1, AGMACS noted in discussion that other work is under way on the development of indicators by other groups in the UK and Scotland. For example, work commissioned by the Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture and other work on performance indicators undertaken by the Sea Fisheries Advisory and Reference Group ( SeaFAR). Therefore there is a need to ensure that the work of these groups is coordinated for any further development of indicators.
3.4 Following consideration of the Workstream Report and subsequent discussion, AGMACS makes the following recommendation.
3.4.1 AGMACS endorses the Recommendations from the Science Workstream as stated above.
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