Author Description

"The Study Group on Marine Pollutants (SG-MP, 2011-2013) brought together participation and feedback from all six PICES member countries. This report reflects the Terms of Reference established for the SG-MP in 2011. Following a kickoff workshop on "Pollutants in a changing ocean: Refining indicator approaches in support of coastal management" at PICES-2011 (Khabarovsk, Russia), the SG-MP has since convened a workshop on "Traditional seafoods of coastal aboriginal communities in the North Pacific" at PICES-2013 (Nanaimo, Canada) and two Topic Sessions on "Environmental contaminants in marine ecosystems: Seabirds and marine mammals as sentinels of ecosystem health" at PICES-2012 (Hiroshima, Japan) and "Status, trends and effects of pollutants in coastal ecosystems: Implications for wildlife and humans" at PICES-2013. Despite some variations in the priorities of member countries, there was broad agreement on a list of important marine pollution issues for the North Pacific Ocean. The expressed support of multilateral groups with shared interests, including ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), GESAMP (Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution) and NOWPAP (Northwest Pacific Action Plan), provides a basis for collaborative efforts in the future. Based on SG-MP recommendations, a new Working Group on Emerging Topics in Marine Pollution was established to build on the foundation of past and current activities regarding marine pollution in the North Pacific. This Working Group plans to convene several Topic Sessions and workshops at PICES Annual Meetings during 2014-2016, which is expected to lead to three special issues in international peer-reviewed journals, and to make a contribution to the next PICES North Pacific Ecosystem Status Report."--Executive Summary.