An innovative agreement was signed between the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), which will enable cost savings and best use of complementary capabilities in each organisation. The agreement is said to support national obligations to achieve challenging objectives for marine nature conservation and biodiversity protection.
There would be closer collaboration in the collection of at-sea data that will provide better evidence for decision-makers. Integrated monitoring programmes in the field – focusing on water chemistry, biodiversity, seabed imagery and sea-bird/mammal observations – will generate combined geodata sets that provide a more comprehensive view of the state of the marine environment.
Richard Judge, Cefas’ Chief Executive, expressed that it’s a great example of joint working to deliver the evidence that really helps to inform decisions about the marine environment. He added that this agreement also provides a basis for the more efficient use of Cefas’ research vessel (a highly valuable government-owned asset) and further cost savings, as the needs of different government bodies are aligned.
This agreement supports the application of new technologies and innovations. Marcus Yeo, JNCC’s Managing Director, said that good experience of Cefas expertise in marine data and evidence provision will underpin JNCC delivery of biodiversity monitoring and surveillance strategies.
