Terms of Reference (ToRs):

• To forge a strong linkage between Member states Ministries in charge of Fisheries (including fresh water) and aquaculture and the European Commission (DG Research & Innovation, DG MARE, DG Environment).
• To further develop existing collaboration and initiate new collaborations between member states, on a long term basis, to achieve a cost effective system of research effort in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture that supports the Common Fisheries Policy.
• To develop an agreed list of fisheries and aquaculture common research priorities that need to be addressed by SCAR Fish and that inform the commission and the Member states administrations.
• To collate existing information and where necessary collect new information in the areas of foresight, common research agendas and mapping EU capacities to support a European research area for fisheries and aquaculture.

Objectives:

• To contribute to define EU research priorities within relevant initiatives: H2020 Work Programmes, Bioeconomy Strategy, Food & Nutrition security Strategy with inputs from SWG Food Systems, Agro-food and Forestry Strategy, Circular economy.
• To collate and analyse existing and new information in the areas of:
  • Foresight
  • Common research agendas
  • Mapping EU capacities

Core-activities:

• Review current programmes on climate induced changes to fisheries, identifying potential gaps and most promising approaches to adaptive management of impacts on capture fisheries and aquaculture.
• Work with EFARO on coordination of data collection to meet obligations under the Data Collection Framework and the marine Strategy Framework Directive.
• Engage with Eurofleets 3 project to consider potential of greater coordination of fisheries research vessel activity.
• Potentially work with marine COFUNDS to develop research programmes based on agreed research priorities, in particular the valorisation of unwanted catches and underutilised raw materials.
• Bring forward proposal and develop SCAR Fish approach to land based aquaculture.
• Discussions on longer term, cross cutting themes (innovation, governance).