Elements of a Science Plan for the North Pacific Research Board (2004) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-12
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Concurrently, the NPRB recognized the need to develop a high-caliber, long-range science plan that provides a comprehensive understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems and their fisheries. To ensure that its Science Plan is of the highest quality, the NPRB asked the National Academies to provide advice on the components of a sound science plan (Box ES-1)
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, and any other issues related to assuring the program has a strong strategic vision and sound management and oversight. To guide the NPRB as it develops its science plan, the committee will: · Identify broad research themes in the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean region, through discussions and a workshop.
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Chapters 3-4 dis BOX ES-2 NPRB Mission and Goals The NPRB's overall mission is to develop a comprehensive, high-caliber science program that provides better understanding of the North Pacific, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean ecosystems and their fisheries. Its work will be conducted through science planning, prioritization of pressing fishery management and ecosystem information needs, coordination and coopera tion among research programs, competitive selection of research projects, enhanced information availability, and public involvement.
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; in general, it operates under the aegis of an overriding goal or conceptual foundation that provides rationale for the program and a signature that will identify the program. It also contains clearly defined scientific goals and program management policies; has a clearly defined geographic focus; has an effective data management and dissemination strategy; coordinates actively with other funding programs; develops applications that are useful to decision makers and stakeholders; and recognizes the importance of public interaction and community involvement.
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Long time-series measurements are imperative for understanding natural processes that exhibit slow or irregular change and rapid eventdriven variations that cannot be documented from a single field expedition. The unique funding structure of the NPRB provides a rare opportunity for establishment and maintenance of long-term continuous monitoring sites.
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In particular, the incorporation of traditional knowledge into the NPRB program provides a special challenge. A great deal of marine ecosystem knowledge lies in the domain of those who are dependent upon it to survive.
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Although the NPRB program should focus on integrated ecosystem-based research, it should include research related to the effects of human activities. Therefore, the following is recommended: · The NPRB should fund studies that have a high potential to determine whether specific human activities have an effect on marine ecosystems, what the scales of such impacts are likely to be, and what kinds of mitigation are possible.
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Currently, the NPRB management consists of NPRB members, an executive director, the Science Panel, and an Advisory Panel. NPRB members include individuals knowledgeable by education, training, or experience in fisheries or marine ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, or Arctic Ocean.
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The following recommendations will help to ensure that the management structure is suited to meeting the NPRB's mission: · The NPRB should provide adequate administrative staff to support its executive director, although care must be taken to minimize the level of funding going to administration. · The NPRB Science Panel or other scientists with appropriate expertise in regional scientific issues, who can place the regional science within the larger framework, should write the NPRB Science Plan.
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The NPRB will benefit from a regular pattern of reviews in which a panel of outside reviewers is invited to evaluate its Science Plan, long-term programs, and the policies and procedures that govern proposal evaluation and grant administration. Therefore, the following recommendation will provide adequate external review: · The NPRB should conduct periodic internal and external reviews of the science plan, policies, and long-term programs at five-year intervals.
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The board should consider continuing site visits throughout the Northwest United States and Alaska to foster understanding of its efforts and to receive public input on future research directions. Data Policy and Management The NPRB's goals require an integrated understanding of ecosystems, which necessitates that user-friendly mechanisms for data storage and sharing be developed and implemented; the NPRB's current management structure does not provide adequate staff for data management.
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Wherever possible, partnerships should be formed with these other groups to leverage maximum benefit from available funds. · The NPRB should conduct an annual principal investigator workshop in conjunction with the annual Joint Science Symposium to foster project collaborations and share data.
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