SCOPE
For almost 30 years, PICES has conducted investigations of North Pacific ecosystems with a focus on the synergy of social, ecological, environmental systems and processes. More recently, PICES science has placed an emphasis on the impacts of changes in the ocean on the human societies that rely on the North Pacific. The main scientific program of PICES, FUTURE (Forecasting and Understanding Trends, Uncertainty and Responses of North Pacific Marine Ecosystems), has identified several important science questions about ecosystem status and responses in their Science Plan. The selected sessions for the PICES-2021 Annual Meeting reflect these priorities as well as offering opportunities for general papers as e-posters. Much of the planning and focus for this year’s meeting has been influenced by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development which began earlier this year. PICES scientists are well-placed to contribute to the Decade mission of “the science we need for the ocean we want”. We welcome contributions that highlight recent scientific achievements and identify challenges that can be addressed through collaborations that reach people and partners around the world.