‘Start-up’ Meeting a success!

The MariFish project went live on 17th January 2006 and was kicked off with a two day ‘Start-up’ meeting held in London and attended by representatives from each partner. It was an opportunity to discuss high level objectives for the project and to work in smaller groups to agree detailed action plans for the first year of the project.

The first day started with introductions and then a summary of the project’s scope from the Co-ordinator, John Lock from Defra. Throughout the afternoon an update on the important administrative aspects of the programme were explained, for example the Consortium Agreement, reporting and financial protocols. The day finished with a short discussion and then a networking dinner to allow representatives to meet.

Photo taken at first meeting Day two started with a short ‘Creative Planning workshop’ using a variety of group brainstorming exercises to focus on the high level objectives for the project and the benefits and risks that could arise. Many of the representatives were working with representatives from different countries for the first time so this was the first chance for groups to forge good working relationships.

Finally, representatives split up into specialist teams to discuss the main areas of work that would be undertaken, developing detailed timetables and action plans. Summaries of the group discussions are listed below:

Group 1: Setting out priorities, key issues and drivers for developing successful strategies for sustainable fisheries management.

Using questionnaires and interviews, information from each country on key fishery management issues will be gathered and summarised in a report. This report will be developed and finalised by the end of July and the results will be used to inform a follow up report, focusing on the priorities for fisheries research.

Group 2: Developing a communication strategy and website

It was agreed that a public website, interactive database and private members area will be developed to facilitate information archiving and sharing and to allow online discussions between members. Web-based facilities will include discussion forums and announcement boards for each work package, a news update area, a document library and contact details for partners.

Group 3: Developing best practice guidelines for MariFish

Different approaches taken by the participating partners will be described and analysed; best practice guidelines will be outlined. The details of procedures, responsibilities and management of all aspects of the project will be set out and agreed by all partners. This will provide a structure for an integrated European research agenda on Fisheries research.

Group 4: Define current links between international, European and regional bodies

First, the level of collaboration and coordination between member states will be mapped out at regional, European and international levels. This will involve designing a questionnaire and visiting partner countries to obtain answers within an interview setting. Following this, the areas where more effective linkages are required will be identified. A report will be presented internally and published on the MariFish website.

Group 5: Identification of non-fisheries research areas which may be relevant to MariFish

Research into areas relevant to fisheries management, such as socio-economic research will be carried out. Linkages between these areas will be recorded and prioritised in a database. This will involve the development of a classification system, preparation and populating a database and eventually, the formation of a high level statement of the priorities of each field of research.

Following a successful 1st meeting, the MariFish partners are looking forward to the 2nd steering committee meeting, due to take place on 18th and 19th September 2006 in Maastricht. The 2nd steering committee meeting is to be held within the sidelines of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Annual Science conference which will give MariFish members an excellent opportunity to engage with the fisheries science community.