Implementing PISCES

Developing the guidelines

There are a number of examples of guidelines for implementing the ecosystem approach, and a number of locations around the world where communities are attempting to deliver it. However, none of these examples deal with both multiple sectors and multiple nationalities as the PISCES project does.

The PISCES stakeholder group has evaluated the common themes from the examples and identified which themes are useful, appropriate (and acceptable) in the Celtic Sea* area. The guidelines will be practical in nature, with a clear step-by-step process identified to deliver them.

The PISCES project will demonstrate what stakeholders believe is most likely to succeed within the framework of the ecosystem approach and is stakeholder-led, in contrast to a more top-down, consultative process where stakeholders are given few options and few opportunities to influence what is handed down to them by policy makers.


Examples of guidelines

Implementation guidelines for the ecosystem approach tend to follow a common format, for example:

• Scoping phase to identify objectives
• Indicators defined
• Thresholds established
• Risk analysis undertaken
• Management strategy evaluated
• Monitoring and evaluation processes established

The PISCES team has undertaken a review of the guidelines that already exist for different projects and activities around the world in order to inform development of the PISCES guidelines. The common themes from worldwide examples have been examined by the PISCES stakeholder group to determine their applicability and usefulness for the Celtic Sea*. The stakeholders  are using this to inform their consideration of the steps and actions necessary to deliver the ecosystem approach to marine management in the Celtic Sea*.


Q. Who are the guidelines for?
A. The guidelines will be created by, and for, the multiple sectors involved in the marine area in order to guide operations. They will be developed for the ‘community’ who are active in the Celtic Sea* to guide how their activities can deliver an ecosystem approach. The guidelines should identify the steps and actions needed to deliver the ecosystem approach to management, taking into account other activities and ecosystem functions and processes. The multisector agreement and practical nature of the guidelines should allow for their translation into marinemanagement plans.

As well as producing the guidelines for the practical activities occurring in the marine and coastal area, they should also be useful for policymakers and government officials as acceptable steps and actions that can be translated into marine legislation implementation.

Q. How could the PISCES outputs be used by governments?
A. Governments could use the results of the PISCES project to be better informed of stakeholders’ perceptions of practical guidelines that work and also on preferred types of engagement methods. Governments will need to consult stakeholders on delivering the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) using the ecosystem approach. PISCES will address many questions around the implementation of the ecosystem approach. As a result governments can identify appropriate styles of engagement and make use of the PISCES guidelines, which will demonstrate the practical ways that commercial interests can interact with other sea users and the ecosystem as a whole. This will inform the development of programmes of measures (required under the MSFD) to achieve Good Environmental Status and it is anticipated that this is more likely to be accepted and valued by stakeholders.

Q. Who else will use PISCES as a case study/best practice example?
A. Organisations like the North Sea Commission, OSPAR or Regional Advisory Councils will be able to use PISCES as a case study for cross-sectoral working and for the types of practical guidelines that are supported by stakeholders in order to inform development of similar examples in other sea areas. PISCES could potentially be useful for ICES as an example for considering wider ecosystem functions and activities in fisheries management. The President of the USA announced a new National Ocean Policy in July 2010, with strong emphasis on the ecosystem approach and stakeholder engagement. The methods for implementing this have yet to be determined and lessons learnt from the PISCES project could inform best practice for delivery.

Q. Are there different ‘levels’ of guidelines?
A. The guidelines will range from broad-scale, high level strategic guidelines, through to the short-term steps and actions necessary to begin the process of delivering the ecosystem approach to marine management. Steps will be identified that lead to the overall goal of the ecosystem approach and actions will be identified to achieve these, as well as realistic timeframes for delivery and any challenges and knowledge gaps that could hinder delivery.

Q. How will science be integrated into PISCES?
A. There are a number of projects that are investigating the science that underpins the ecosystem approach and how this can be translated into policy. PISCES, in contrast, is focused on the translation of policy into practice. We want to understand the practical steps that those working in the marine environment are willing and able to take to meet the requirements of the ecosystem approach that is now enshrined in EU marine legislation. PISCES will draw upon the work of other projects that investigate the science behind this approach and will use the expertise of the PISCES Advisory Group to ensure our outputs are valid, accurate and can be applied in the Celtic Sea*. The stakeholders are also identifying challenges and gaps in knowledge that they believe could hinder the delivery of the ecosystem approach and this will be used to inform governments of the areas of research that are necessary to achieve marine legislative objectives. PISCES complements other projects that are investigating the scientific basis for the ecosystem approach by road-testing concepts and principles with those who are involved in the day-to-day management of marine activities to develop practical actions for delivery.

Q. Will there be scientists on the stakeholder group?
A. It is important that the outputs of PISCES are scientifically valid and we hope to ensure this through the actions of the Advisory Group. There are a number of scientists and consultants with much experience in the world of marine management and planning. The Advisory Group will continuously review the drafts of the stakeholder guidelines and will advise and guide the stakeholder group at workshops and events. In contrast, the role of the stakeholder group is to represent the interests of all the main activities and for this reason has been constituted from those active in the area. The stakeholder group also includes representatives from environmental statutory agencies in each of the countries who are linked to government policy and relevant science.