May 10th 2017, Toyama: Toyama NOWPAP-PICES Science Dialogue was held on May 10th 2017 following the invitation of the Advisory Panel for a Circulation Research in East Asian Marginal Seas (AP-CREAMS) of PICES. The dialogue was attended by the PICES Science Board Chair, Prof. Hiroaki Saito, NOWPAP Senior Coordinator, Lev Neretin, Drs. Takafumi Yoshida and Genki Terauchi from the NOWPAP CEARAC and members of the PICES AP-CREAMS (Photo below). The Dialogue is expected to become a regular consultation meeting between the two organizations addressing current and future priorities for the institutional collaboration. The discussions were based on the “PICES-NOWPAP Framework for Scientific Cooperation in the North Pacific Ocean” (2015) proposed by a specially established joint PICES-NOWPAP Study Group on Scientific Cooperation in the North Pacific Ocean. Participants re-affirmed the importance of seven priorities identified in the Framework document in light of the approved PICES Strategic Plan (2016) and draft NOWPAP Medium-term strategy 2018-2023 and emphasized significant complementarity between the goals of the two institutions.
Dr. Takafumi Yoshida of CEARAC attended the meeting of the AP-CREAMS on May 11 and 12, 2017 as an observer. With regards to joint activities with the NOWPAP, AP-CREAMS considered favorably having the ex-officio NOWPAP membership and agreed on developing proposal for a joint training course for young scientists in 2018 following in the successful example of the 26th Training Course of the International Hydrological Programme “Coastal vulnerability and freshwater discharge” organized with the NOWPAP co-sponsorship by Nagoya University in December 2016.
Among specific projects of joint interest between the two institutions for the NOWPAP are State of the Marine Environment Report for the NOWPAP region (SOMER-3, 2018-2020), assessments of emerging issues (e.g., microplastics), and how to address climate change impacts and build resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems (the issues being addressed by the PICES Human Dimension Committee). In order to have a continuous dialogue and impact, NOWPAP is encouraged to seek ex-officio membership status in relevant PICES groups, committees and advisory panels (at present Dr. Takafumi Yoshida of NOWPAP CEARAC is ex-officio member of the Section on Ecology of Harmful Algal Blooms of PICES and Dr. Vladimir Shulkin of NOWPAP POMRAC represents NOWPAP at the PICES Working Group 31: Emerging Topics in Marine Pollution). In turn, NOWPAP would welcome regular participation of PICES representatives in the meetings of NOWPAP Regional Activity Centers and Intergovernmental Meetings as Observers. NOWPAP will continue exploring further opportunities to participate with PICES in joint publications, workshops, and training activities for young scientists. The important area of mutual interest is enhanced collaboration on public outreach and awareness about the regional and global environment and development issues and progress achieved by the two institutions. The next round of consultations between NOWPAP and PICES is expected during the PICES 2017 Annual Meeting in September 2017 where NOWPAP plans to support two thematic sessions followed by the 22nd NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting in December 2017.
