Provision Of Scientific Advice Research Articles

Exploring the limits of spatiotemporal and design-based index standardization under reduced survey coverage

Abstract Indices of abundance derived from fisheries-independent surveys play a crucial role in sustainable fisheries management. While design-based methods provide unbiased indices in theory, logistical constraints may introduce biases in practice. Spatiotemporal models offer potential for mitigating such bias, but their limitations remain poorly understood. In this study, we compare the performance of model-based and design-based indices using 200 simulated populations representing two virtual species. We simulate stratified-random surveys under various scenarios, including constant effort and coverage, reduced set density, and reduced spatial coverage (e.g. closed areas). We consider three closed-area scenarios: no population recovery, population recovery, and population recovery with spillover. With consistent survey coverage, correctly specified spatiotemporal models demonstrated comparable bias, accuracy, and confidence interval coverage to design-based methods. Spatiotemporal models incorporating appropriate covariates and observation families could mitigate the impact of reduced spatial coverage. However, poorly specified models were sometimes outperformed by design-based methods. Our results, therefore, highlight the potential for spatiotemporal models to mitigate the effects of survey effort reduction on population assessment and the provision of scientific advice. However, they also present a cautionary tale about the critical importance of model evaluation and comparison.

Clarifying the role of inorganic carbon in blue carbon policy and practice

Since the term “blue carbon” was coined by the report of Nellerman et al. (2009) the marine carbon cycle has firmly entered the realm of marine policy alongside its terrestrial neighbour, “green carbon” (Crooks et al., 2018). Many marine policy decisions rely on accurate information concerning the stocks of blue carbon in a region, the annual sequestration rates associated with those stocks and the threats posed to those stocks by human activities, and especially recently by bottom-trawling (e.g., Sala et al., 2021). Hence policy officials are reliant on accurate blue carbon scientific advice. However, at the present moment there is one topic that is contributing confusion to policy-science understanding, and that is the topic of organic vs. inorganic carbon. The aim of this short note is to clarify the differences between these two types of blue carbon and to recommend how they are treated in policy formulation and the provision of scientific advice.

Envisioning a \u201cscience diplomacy 2.0\u201d: on data, global challenges, and multi-layered networks

The term “science diplomacy” broadly identifies interactions between scientific and foreign policy communities connected to the promotion of international scientific exchanges (also as a way to establish constructive relations between countries), and the provision of scientific advice on issues of relevance to more than one nation. Science diplomacy initiatives have been positively portrayed by practitioners, while recent scholarship has underscored the need for these actions to more directly address social and global challenges. In what follows we sketch the contours of a data-driven “science diplomacy 2.0” that could actually be seen as more directly tackling these challenges in two important ways. First, we outline a multi-layered approach that integrates data and meta-data from various disciplines in order to promote greater awareness about what kind of research should actually be prioritized in science diplomacy actions. Second, we argue for the creation of responsible innovation observatories for operationalizing such a methodology at both national and global levels.

EPIC, Scottish Government's Centre of Expertise in Animal Disease Outbreaks: A Model for Provision of Risk-Based Evidence to Policy.

EPIC, Scottish Government's Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks, offers a successful and innovative model for provision of scientific advice and analysis to policy-makers in Scotland. In this paper, we describe EPIC's remit and operations, and reflect on three case studies which illustrate how the Centre of Expertise Model provides risk-based evidence through rapid access to emergency advice and analyses, estimating disease risks and improving disease detection, assessing different disease control options, and improving future risk resilience. The successes and challenges faced by EPIC and its members offer useful lessons for animal health researchers and authorities, working in contingency planning for animal health security in other countries.

Безпечність та якість м’яса забійних тварин за обробки мийними лужними засобами

The main task of today is to accelerate the provision of scientific advice by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, including the process of assessing risks, especially chemical, in the implementation of foodstuffs, the introduction of national quality and safety control systems for food, including slaughtered meat, and the regulation of methods of analysis to identify the content of contaminants in food. When carrying out state risk-oriented controls in supermarkets, stores should prevent the occurrence of a chemical hazardous factor in the sale of slaughtered animals - beef, pork, mutton and meat of goat. Prevention of economically motivated slaughter of slaughtered animals is the process of managing the protection of the supply chain from any unfair trade in economically justified fraud. In trade networks for the sale of beef, pork, mutton, meat of goat, it is necessary to apply the TACCP and VACCP approaches to prevent intentional contamination of them with chemical reagents, which leads to a decrease in the nutritional value of products. These integrated approaches will ensure that the consumer is provided with a safe and genuine food. When conducting government risk-oriented controls in supermarkets, stores must prevent the occurrence of a chemical hazard in the sale of slaughtered animals. Prevention of economically motivated slaughter of slaughtered animals is the process of managing the protection of the supply chain against any unfair trade in economically justified fraud. The treatment of alkaline washers detergents of chilled meat of slaughtered animals for sale in supermarket was established for 3–4 days of sale at temperatures of (4±2) °C and relative humidity of 85 %: in 8 beef samples, 9 pork samples, 5 lamb samples and 4 meat of goat samples. The technique of establishing falsification was based on the use of an alcohol solution of bromocresol green with a mass concentration of 0.01%, which was applied to the surface of muscle tissue with an area of ​​2.0x2.5 cm in the amount of 0.1-0.2 cm3 and after 1-2 seconds set to green - in the absence of alkaline detergent treatment (negative reaction) or blue - with alkaline detergent treatment (positive reaction). Research has shown that the stability of color intensities due to falsification of the meat of slaughtered animals by treatment with alkaline detergents was 99.9 %. Influence of alkaline detergents on the quality and safety of chilled meat of slaughtered animals for 3–4 days of realization at temperature (4±2) °C and relative humidity of 85% was determined the content of microorganisms in the superficial layers of the muscles was significantly decreased: in beef - 2.50 times (p 0.001), pork - 2.40 (p 0.001), mutton - 2.33 (p 0.001), meat of goat - 1.86 times (p 0.001); value is likely increased towards the pH value 7.0: in beef - 1.13 times (p 0.001), pork - 1.14 (p 0.001), mutton - 1.16 (p 0.001), meat of goat - 1.30 times (p 0.001); NMAOAM content decreased significantly: in beef - 1.11 times (p 0.001), pork - 1.09 (p 0.05), meat of goat - 1.07 times (p 0.05), and in mutton tended to decrease NMAOAM content by 1.07 times, but the difference was not likely. Risk-oriented controls must be exercised in accordance with applicable national and international laws when selling meat to slaughtered animals in supermarkets, shops to prevent falsification by chemical reagents, including cleaning alkaline solutions. To implement safe and quality slaughtered meat in supermarkets - beef, pork, lamb, goat, and compliance with proper sanitary and hygienic requirements, to carry out state risk-oriented control of chemical risk determination, to evaluate it and to prevent its development and tested express method, which is 99.9% reliable, control of raw meat for falsification by alkaline detergents using alcohol solution of bromocresol green flax with a mass concentration of 0.01%.

Role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in providing scientific advice on the welfare of food producing animals

The survey describes the work of the Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in the provision of scientific advice on the welfare of food producing animals including animal health and food safety aspects, where relevant, and on the impact of these scientific assessments on the EU regulatory framework. EFSA was created in 2002 with the mission to provide advice and scientific and technical support for the Community legislation and policies in all fields which have a direct or indirect impact on food and feed safety, plant health, environment and animal health and animal welfare. When providing objective and independent science-based advice, the risk assessment approach should be followed, whenever possible.The AHAW Panel of EFSA provides specific advices on risk factors related to animal diseases and welfare, mainly of food producing animals, including fish. According to EFSA’s remit, ethical, socio-economic, cultural and religious aspects are outside the scope of the EFSA’s assessments. Since 2004, the Animal Health and Welfare Panel of EFSA adopted a total of 21 scientific opinions on animal welfare. Animal diseases and food safety aspects have also been taken into account, where relevant. Animal welfare aspects have been considered in some scientific opinions on animal diseases (e.g. AI, FMD). The AHAW Panel is currently working on five scientific opinions on the welfare of dairy cows and on the welfare aspects of the stunning and killing of farmed fish for eight fish species (salmon, trout, carp, eel, tuna, sea bass, sea bream and turbot). The possible interactions and implications for food safety and animal disease have been considered, when relevant, in most of the AW scientific opinions, involving other areas of expertise in EFSA, like Biohazards, Contaminants and Plant Health. The final aim of EFSA’s scientific assessments on animal welfare is to support animal welfare EU legislation on the basis of the available scientific evidence. Many examples illustrate how EFSA’s scientific opinions are taken into consideration when legislative measures are proposed by the European Commission. In order to evaluate the overall impact of animal welfare, factors with possible incidence on animal diseases and food safety should also be considered. The evaluation of the interactions between animal welfare, animal disease and food safety could help the development of control and monitoring plans at farm level.

Southern Ocean pelagic ecosystems: the era of conservation

The decline of the great whales by the early 1960s allied to the emergence of the “new order” of ocean governance under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which limited the availability of some of the most productive fishing grounds by placing them under Coastal state jurisdiction, meant that many traditional fishing nations were looking to alternative targets. Antarctic krill, which in the era of Discovery Investigations had been studied as the whale food, now became a target for commercial fishing along with some fin fish species. Major concerns were expressed at the potential difficulties that might arise, not just for krill but also dependent species, should over-fishing on krill occur. This led to the Biological Investigations of Marine Antarctic Systems and Stocks (BIOMASS) and subsequently to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Implementing an ecosystem approach by CCAMLR, the first to be included in any fisheries convention, has provided challenges. More recently the questions of surveillance and monitoring of the fleets in the lucrative toothfish fishery has been the major concern. Developments in fishing, monitoring and the provision of scientific advice for management are discussed.

A framework for providing scientific advice for the management of new and developing invertebrate fisheries

A framework is developed for the provision of scientific advice to support the management of new and developing marine invertebrate fisheries. These fisheries often occur on species for which little biological or exploitation information is available. The framework explicitly endorses the precautionary approach to fisheries management and research. Three general management strategies (size/sex limits, regulation by total allowable catch, control of the exploitation rate) and their needs for supporting scientific information are identified. The significance of spatial pattern, and of recognizing the need for different approaches to obtain scientific information and to manage sedentary benthic and mobile pelagic species, is a central theme. Three 'phases' are proposed to obtain the necessary scientific information: (a) Phase 0, 'collecting existing information', consisting of syntheses of available biological and fisheries information on the target (and similar) species, leading to formulation of potential management strategies; (b) Phase 1, 'collecting new information', to obtain the essential information that is lacking or insufficient from the Phase 0 analysis, and to evaluate alternative management strategies and propose regulatory actions; and (c) Phase 2, 'fishing for commerce', to implement the chosen management actions and to monitor fishing operations, so as to increase the information base available to refine the results from previous phases. Phase 1 activities may consist of surveys, site-specific depletion experiments and studies to obtain biological information, and development of experimental management areas to test different exploitation rates. A strategy that includes establishing reserve areas recognises the inherent uncertainties associated with developing fisheries and provides a buffer against mistakes or 'surprises'; it also provides control areas to compare stock productivity in fished and unfished locations. The application of this framework to a developing sea cucumber fishery in British Columbia is presented as an example. Throughout, strong interaction and collaboration among science, management, and stakeholders is crucial to the provision of scientific advice for precautionary management of new invertebrate fisheries.