• Acronym: WG-58
• Parent Committee: GC, SB
• Established: PICES-2025
  (GC Decision 2025/S/13)
• Duration: PICES-2025 - PICES-2028
  
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The Strategic Plan developed in 2016 needs to be reviewed and updated in accordance with the External Review Committee recommendation for PICES to revise its Role, and to undertake actionable science to better support member countries. The WG should contain one member (at least) from each country who is either a member of GC, or nominated by the GC member, and who has access to the policy priorities and needs of their country. The WG should also contain member scientists from each discipline who can provide input on practical, relevant, current and emerging information that PICES members can provide.

The WG will first revise the Strategic Plan, taking into consideration the priorities and needs of member countries, and once the new Plan is adopted, support its implementation. Implementation should consider how the PICES Committee Structure should be modified to deliver the new Strategic Plan, and how the products and knowledge generated by PICES activities can best be transferred to each country.

The group also needs to consider, at appropriate intervals, the list of External Review Report Recommendations, and identify where the WGs activities address and meet them, and where more work is needed.

Revising the strategic plan is clearly highly relevant. Furthermore, it will determine the requirements of many other aspects of the Organization, including its infrastructure and resourcing. Revisions to PICES Committee structure, planning of the next Integrated Science Program and capacity development regarding strategic engagement all need to consider the Strategic Plan in their implementation.

Linkage(s) to Previous PICES Expert Groups Activities
SG-RSP: Revising the Strategic Plan Study Group

Terms of Reference

1. Review the current PICES Strategic Plan.
2. Compile and consider the views of Contracting Parties on their priorities for actionable scientific information from the North Pacific Ocean (based on information solicited and provided by GC), and the preferred mechanism for its delivery, over the next 5-10 years.
3. Engage with PICES partners (Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, Regional Seas Bodies and other international organizations) on needs from PICES to support their activities.
4. Propose revisions to the current PICES Strategic Plan that incorporate ToR 1-3 in time for consideration by Council at PICES-2026; Incorporating any feedback, finalize the new Strategic Plan.
5. Review and propose revisions to the PICES Committee structure and their Action Plans to achieve the Strategic Plan goals.
6. Communicate with other expert groups working on PICES evolution in response to the External Review Report Recommendations, for example those involved with the next NPESR and the next Integrated Science Program (ISP) to coordinate development across PICES activities and reduce duplication of effort. Secretariat to provide support for this.
7. After PICES-2026 and publication of the new SP the WG to continue to liaise with PICES expert groups and provide guidance on how to develop and transfer information products generated by emerging PICES activities, such as NPESR IV and the next Integrative Science Program, to member countries and partner organizations.

Time Line and Expected Deliverables
Year 1 (2026)
ToR 1-3. A summary will be prepared which describes the needs of member countries and partner organizations for actionable science based on activities in ToR 2 and 3.

Year 2 (2027)
ToR 4. Utilizing the summary from above and the review of the existing Strategic Plan a draft new Strategic Plan will be developed and presented at PICES-2026. Any suggested revisions will be made and the Strategic Plan published and circulated/communicated to member countries and partner organizations. (Year 1) ToR 5-6. In collaboration with the Expert Group developing the next ISP propose revisions to the PICES Committee Structure to be considered by Science Board.

Year 3 (2028)
ToR 6-7. Active liaison with other expert groups and review of emerging information products. A report will be produced containing guidance for transfer of different information types. Recommendations on ongoing needs will be prepared.

ToR 7 will need to connect to the Data Management Plan to ensure consistency in language across PICES activities.