Work package 1: Network development, management and coordination

Objectives        

Build a sense of common purpose among the network partners, enlarge the network to include eventually new members, coordinate the activities of the network and deliver the goals within the agreed timescale and resources. Consider the long-term durability of the network following the completion of MariFish, and agree the overall nature and content of a collaborative agreement between all interested partners.

Description of work

WP1 is the key component to building the network into a coherent group of organisations which recognise the value of cross programme collaboration and seek benefits from integrating research related activities.  MariFish will evolve during the project, with the aim of becoming inclusive of most of the major fisheries research programmes within the EU and promoting genuine added value through its activity.  MariFish will be managed through two groups (see B.5 for details): 

The Steering Committee (SC) which is composed of a leading person representing the funding body for national research programmes from each participating country.  The SC will develop into a cohesive group able to take decisions to ensure MariFish is effective, bringing added value and delivery of its objectives.  It will be responsive and proactive.

The Work Package Management Group (WPMG) which  includes the leader of each of the 8 Work Packages.  The Group will be the main technical body in MariFish, assessing progress of each WP, ensuring linkages between WPs are developed and maintained, and reporting overall progress to the SC.

In addition an Observer Group (OG) will be formed composed of multinational/international bodies, ICES, EFARO and EAFE. The OG will provide a formal link between MariFish and these bodies. The effectiveness of the SG and WPMG will be enhanced through this arrangement.

The following key tasks have been identified.

Task 1.1 

Meetings of the SC, normally annually, when progress will be reviewed, adjustments made to the plan, strategic needs addressed, reallocation of resources in response to change agreed, commenting on MariFish study and working group reports.  An early task for the SC will be to enlarge the network to include all relevant national funders and to develop a Consortium Agreement between all partners.

Task 1.2 

Annual meetings of the WPMG.  Meetings will normally be conducted in the style of workshops to promote the technical nature of the WPMG, and to encourage effective links between  the individual WPs.

Task 1.3 

Establish and maintain a MariFish network website to facilitate communication, stimulate debate, communicate with outside groups, act as an information centre, provide archive base for all reports and other WP output, especially from WP3 and WP5.

Task 1.4a

Using workshop(s), written questionnaires and other evidence gathering methods establish with fishery managers what they consider are the key issues involved in developing strategies for sustainable fisheries.

Task 1.4b has been replaced by 1.10 and 1.11

Task 1.4b overlapped with other tasks and it was decided by the MariFish Steering Committee that new work should replace it. Task 1.10 "Communication" and Task 1.11 "Knowledge Management" are explained in greater detail here.

Task 1.5 

Develop a communication strategy, principally web-based,  for MariFish, especially focussing on the necessary links with fishery managers, researchers, the fishing industry and environmentalists. The web will promote links with other key fisheries science collaborative and coordinating groups, identified under WP3.  Particular priority to be given to links with  MarinERA.

Task 1.6 

Provide an effective interface with the Commission, especially DG Fish and DG Research.  Provide necessary reports to the Commission including periodic activity and management reports.

Task 1.7 

Debate and seek agreement on  the overall content and nature of  a collaboration agreement between all interested partners to ensure the durability of the network following the completion of MariFish.

Task 1.8 

Produce a Final Report which summarises what has been achieved by MariFish and the agreed steps to be taken to ensure durability of the project and all that it has achieved.

Task 1.9 

Co-ordinate and manage all aspects of the technical and contract management components of the project.  This will include the legal, contractual, financial and administrative management of the consortium and the knowledge management and other innovation related activities. 

Task 1.10

Task 1.11

Partner Involvement

WP1 is lead by Partner 1 with Partner 15 as the WP Co-Leader.  Participant 15 will undertake Task 1.4a  organising a workshop on fisheries management drivers.  All MariFish participants will attend the formal SC and WPMG meetings and actively contribute to the overall development of the network through meetings, receiving and commenting on annual reports and developing the communications strategy.  All MariFish partners will be involved in the Fisheries Management Drivers Workshop T1.4a and the Priorities for Research Evidence Workshop T1.4b.