PICES Disbanded Groups

Disbanded Sections
[Active Sections]

A Section is an ongoing sub-committee established by a Scientific Committee or by several Scientific Committees, with the endorsement of Science Board (SB) and approval by Governing Council (GC), A “Section” represents a sub-committee under a Scientific Committee that has a longer lifespan than a Working Group. Its purpose is to provide input to the parent Scientific Committee on specific issues for which expertise may be lacking on the parent committee. Sections should be reviewed periodically to ensure they continue to meet their objectives.

  • S-HD: Section on Human Dimensions of Marine Systems
    (PICES-2011 – PICES-2016)

Disbanded Advisory Panels
[Active Advisory Panels]

An Advisory Panel is a group established by the Science Board (SB) with approval by the Governing Council (GC), to coordinate and/or provide scientific advice on the activities of a Scientific/Technical Committee or Scientific Program. The purpose of an Advisory Panel is to provide scientific expertise to a Committee or Scientific Program to aid in accomplishment of a research issue or program of work that requires specific technical expertise, such as the design of an ocean experiment or sampling program, or the incorporation of certain scientific emphases (e.g. marine mammal and bird experts) into the PICES scientific scope. Most Advisory Panels report to parent Scientific Committees or Programs and meet annually to undertake specific tasks within their terms of reference.

  • AP-MBM: Advisory Panel on Marine Birds and Mammals
    (Oct. 1999 - Oct. 2015)
  • AP-AICE: FUTURE Advisory Panel on Anthropogenic Influences on Coastal Ecosystems
    (Oct. 2009 - Oct. 2014)
  • AP-COVE: FUTURE Advisory Panel on Climate, Oceanographic Variability and Ecosystems
    (Oct. 2009 - Oct. 2014)
  • AP-SOFE: FUTURE Advisory Panel on Status, Outlooks, Forecasts, and Engagement
    (Oct. 2009 - Oct. 2014)
  • AP-CPR: Advisory Panel on the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey in the North Pacific
    (Oct. 1998 - Oct. 2014)
  • AP-MIE: Advisory Panel on Micronekton Sampling Inter-Calibration experiment
    (Oct. 2002 - Oct. 2009)
  • AP-IFEP: Advisory Panel on Iron Fertilization Experiment in the Subarctic Pacific Ocean
    (Oct. 1998 - Oct. 2007)
  • AP-NPDB: North Pacific Data Buoy Advisory Panel
    (Oct. 2001 - Oct. 2006)

Disbanded Scientific Program
[Active Scientific Program]

A Scientific Program is established by SB, with the approval of GC, to address major scientific questions of general interest to the Organization. The Scientific Program typically places significant demands on the Organization for periods of up study groupto a decade. The Program has an organizational structure recommended by SB, and SB serves as the Scientific Steering Committee of the Program.

  • CCCC: Climate Change and Carrying Capacity Scientific Program
    (Oct. 1995 - Oct. 2009)

Disbanded Study Groups
[Active Study Groups]

A Study Group is a group established by the Governing Council (GC) or by an Executive Committee, with the approval by GC. The purpose of a Study Group is to analyze the scientific, policy, and/or financial implications of a proposal made by Science Board or Governing Council, and provide recommendations for Science Board or Council on the proposal. This type of group would typically be formed for a period of one-year and would provide a report of their findings and recommendations to Science Board or Council prior to the Annual Meeting after it was formed.

  • SG-ARC: Study Group on the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Gateways
    (PICES-2022 - ISB/IGC-2024) (Disbanded: IGC-2024)
  • SG-DATA: Study Group on encouraging Data Awareness and increased Transmission and Accessibility
    (Term: PICES-2022 - PICES-2023) (Disbanded: PICES-2023)
  • SG-ER: Study Group on External Review of PICES
    (Jan. 2022 - May IGC-2023)
  • SG-PICES-APN: Joint APN-PICES Study Group on Scientific Cooperation in the Pacific Ocean
    (Aug. 2021 - Feb. 2023)
  • SG-SCPSC: Joint PICES-PSC Study Group on Scientific Cooperation in the North Pacific Ocean
    (PICES-2021 - PICES-2022)
  • SG-UNDOS: Study Group on United Nations Decade of Ocean Science
    (PICES-2020 - TBA (final report completion))
  • SG-ECOP: Study Group on Early Career Ocean Professionals
    (PICES-2020 - Jan. 2022 (final report completion))
  • SG-SciCom: Study Group on Science Communications
    (PICES-2020 - Jan. 2022 (final report completion))
  • SG-IMCE: Study Group on Impacts of Mariculture on Coastal Ecosystems
    (Nov. 2018 - Oct. 2020)
  • SG-PICES-NPFC: Joint PICES-NPFC Study Group for Scientific Cooperation in the North Pacific Ocean
    (Oct. 2017 – Oct. 2019)
  • SG-MMP: Study Group on Marine Microplastics
    (Oct. 2017 – Oct. 2018)
  • SG-MES: Study Group on Marine Ecosystem Services
    (Nov. 2016 – Oct. 2017)
  • SG-NPESR-3: Study Group on North Pacific Ecosystem Status Report
    (Jan. 2015 - Oct. 2016)
  • SG-RSP: Study Group on Revising the Strategic Plan
    (Jan. 2015 - Oct. 2016)
  • SG-CEP: Study Group on Climate and Ecosystem Predictability
    (Oct. 2015 - Oct. 2016)
  • SG-CERP: Study Group on Common Ecosystem Reference Points across PICES Member Countries
    (Oct. 2015 - Oct. 2016)
  • SG-SCISC: Study Group for Scientific Cooperation of ISC and PICES
    (Apr. 2015 - Apr. 2016)
  • SG-SEES: Socio-Ecological-Environmental Systems
    (Jan. 2014 - Dec. 2015)
  • SG-SCOOP: Joint PICES-NOWPAP Study Group on Scientific Cooperation in the North Pacific Ocean
    (Jul. 2014 - Oct. 2015)
  • SG-SC-NP: Joint NPAFC-PICES Study Group on Scientific Cooperation in the North Pacific Ocean
    (Jun. 2013 - Oct. 2014)
  • SG-BC: Study Group on Biodiversity Conservation
    (Jan. 2014 - Oct. 2014)
  • SG-MP: Study Group on Marine Pollutants
    (Oct. 2011 - Dec. 2013)
  • SG-RS: Study Group on Radionuclide Science in the North Pacific Ocean
    (Jan. 2013 - Jun. 2013)
  • SG-HD: Study Group on Human Dimensions
    (Oct. 2009 - Oct. 2011)
  • SG-SP: Joint P/ICES Study Group on Developing a Framework for Scientific
    Cooperation in Northern Hemisphere Marine Science
    (Oct. 2009 - Oct. 2011)
  • SG-USP: Study Group on Updating the PICES Strategic Plan
    (Oct. 2009 - Oct. 2011)
  • SG-RAM: Study Group on Restructuring of the PICES Annual Meeting
    (Oct.2008 - Oct. 2009)
  • WT-IP: FUTURE Implementation Plan Writing Team
    (Jun. 2008 - Oct. 2009)
  • SG-COM: Study Group on PICES Communication
    (Oct. 2007 - Oct. 2009)
  • SG-FISP: Study Group on Future Integrative Scientific Program(s)
    (May 2005 - Oct. 2009)
  • WT-SP: FUTURE Science Plan Writing Team
    (Jan. 2007 - Apr. 2008)
  • SG-ESR: Study Group on Ecosytem Status Reporting
    (Oct. 2006 - Oct. 2007)
  • SG-GOOS: Study Group to develop a strategy for GOOS
    (Oct. 2005 - Oct. 2007)
  • SG-MAR: Study Group on Marine Aquaculture and Ranching in the PICES region
    (Oct. 2006 - Oct. 2007)
  • SG-SC: Study Group on Scientific Cooperation between PICES and non-member countries
    (Oct. 2006 - Oct. 2007)
  • SG-RPFR: Study Group on PICES Rules of Procedure and Financial Regulations
    (Oct. 2004 - Apr. 2006)
  • SG-EBM: Study Group on Ecosystem-based management science and its application to the North Pacific
    (Oct. 2003 - Oct. 2004)
  • SG-FERRRS: Study Group on Fisheries and Ecosystem Responses to Recent Regime Shifts
    (Oct. 2003 - Oct. 2004)
  • SG-SI: Study Group on PICES Strategic Plan
    (Oct. 2003 - Oct. 2004)
  • SG-CB: Study Group on PICES Capacity Building
    (Oct. 2002 - Oct. 2003)
  • SG-NPESR-RAC: Study Group on North Pacific Ecosystem Status Report and Regional Analysis Centers (RAC)
    (Oct. 2000 - Dec. 2001)

Disbanded Task Teams


  • TT-MODEL: Task Team on Conceptual/Theoretical and Modeling Studies
    (Oct. 1995 - Oct. 2009)
  • TT-CFAME: Task Team on Climate Forcing and Marine Ecosystem Response
    (Oct. 2004 - Oct. 2009)
  • TT-BASS: Task Team on Basin Studies
    (Oct. 1995 - Oct. 2004)
  • TT-MONITOR: Task Team on Monitoring
    (Oct. 1997 - Oct. 2004)
  • TT-NEXT: NEMURO (North Pacific Ecosystem Model for Understanding Regional Oceanography) Experimental Plan Team
    (Oct. 2002 - Oct. 2003)
  • TT-REX: Task Team on Regional Experiments
    (Oct. 1996 - Oct. 2004)

Disbanded Working Groups
[Active Working Groups]

A Working Group is a group established by a Scientific Committee or by several Scientific Committees, with the endorsement of Science Board (SB) and approval by Governing Council (GC), for a period of typically three years, to undertake specific terms of reference and to report to the Organization on its findings. Most Working Groups report to parent Scientific Committees, others directly to Science Board. Most Working Groups meet annually to undertake specific tasks within their terms of reference. Science Board suggests the members of Working Groups in consultation with the PICES Chairman, and seeks Contracting Parties’ approval and support.

  • WG 46: Joint PICES/ICES Working Group on Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE)
    (PICES-2020 - PICES-2023) (Disbanded: GC-2024)
  • WG 45: Joint PICES/ICES Working Group on Impacts of Warming on Growth Rates and Fisheries Yields (GRAFY)
    (Aug. 2020 - PICES-2024) (Disbanded: GC-2024)
  • WG 44: Joint PICES/ICES Working Group on Integrated Ecosystem Assessment for the Northern Bering Sea - Chukchi Sea
    (PICES-2019 - PICES-2023) (Disbanded: GC-2024)
  • WG 43: Joint PICES/ICES Working Group on Small Pelagic Fish
    (Term: Dec. 2019 - PICES-2023) (Disbanded: IGC-2024)
  • WG 42: Working Group on Indicators of Marine Plastic Pollution
    (PICES-2018 - PICES-2023) (Disbanded: GC-2024)
  • WG 41: Working Group on Marine Ecosystem Services
    (Term: PICES-2017 - PICES-2021) (Disbanded: PICES-2023)
  • WG 40: Working Group on Climate and Ecosystem Predictability
    (Term: PICES-2017 - PICES-2021) (Disbanded: IGC-2023)
  • WG 39: Joint PICES/ICES/PAME Working Group on an Integrated Ecosystem Assessment for the Central Arctic Ocean
    (PICES-2016 – PICES-2022) (Disbanded: IGC-2024)
  • WG 38: Mesoscale and Submesoscale Processes
    (Term: PICES-2016 – PICES-2021) (Disbanded: IGC-2023)
  • WG 37: Working Group on Zooplankton Production Methodologies, Applications and Measurements in PICES Regions
    (PICES-2016 – May 2022 (final report submission))
  • WG 36: Working Group on Common Ecosystem Reference Points across PICES Member Countries
    (Term: PICES-2016 – PICES-2020) (Disbanded: PICES-2022)
  • WG 35: Working Group on Third North Pacific Ecosystem Status Report (WG-NPESR3)
    (Term: May 2016 – PICES 2021) (Disbanded: March 1, 2024)
  • WG 34: Joint PICES/ISC Working Group on Ocean Conditions and the Distribution and Productivity of Highly Migratory Fish
    (PICES-2015 - PICES-2020)
  • WG 33: Joint PICES/ICES Working Group on Climate Change and Biologically-driven Ocean Carbon Sequestration
    (PICES-2015 - PICES-2018)
  • WG 32: Working Group on Biodiversity of Biogenic Habitats
    (Jan. 2015 - PICES-2020)
  • WG 31: Working Group on Emerging Topics in Marine Pollution
    (Jan. 2014 – Dec. 2017)
  • WG 30: Working Group on Assessment of Marine Environmental Quality of Radiation around the North Pacific
    (Aug. 2013 - PICES-2017)
  • WG 29: Working Group on Regional Climate Modeling
    (PICES-2011 - PICES-2015)
  • WG 28: Working Group on Development of Ecosystem Indicators to Characterize Ecosystem Responses to Multiple Stressors
    (Jun. 2011 - PICES-2015)
  • WG 27: Working Group on North Pacific Climate Variability and Change
    (Jun. 2011 - PICES-2015)
  • WG 26: Working Group on Jellyfish Blooms around the North Pacific Rim: Causes and Consequences
    (PICES-2010 - PICES-2013)
  • WG 25: Joint PICES/ICES Working Group on Forecasting Climate Change Impacts on Fish and Shellfish
    (PICES-2008 - PICES-2011)
  • WG 24: Working Group on Environmental Interactions of Marine Aquaculture
    (PICES-2008 - PICES-2012)
  • WG 23: Working Group on Comparative Ecology of Krill in Coastal and Oceanic Waters Around the Pacific Rim
    (PICES-2007 - PICES-2011)
  • WG 22: Working Group on Iron Supply and its Impact on Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems in the North Pacific Ocean
    (PICES-2007 - PICES-2010)
  • WG 21: Working Group on Non-indigenous Aquatic Species
    (PICES-2005 - PICES-2013)
  • WG 20: Working Group on Evaluations of Climate Change Projections
    (PICES-2005 - PICES-2010)
  • WG 19: Working Group on Ecosystem-based management science and its application to the North Pacific
    (PICES-2004 - PICES-2009)
  • WG 18: Working Group on Mariculture in the 21st century - The intersection between ecology, socio-economics and production
    (PICES-2003 - PICES-2006)
  • WG NPESR-1: North Pacific Ecosystem Status Report
    (PICES-2002 - PICES-2004)
  • WG 17: Working Group on Biogeochemical data Integration and Synthesis
    (PICES-2001 - PICES-2005)
  • WG 16: Working Group on Climate Change, Shifts in Fish Production, and Fisheries Management
    (PICES-1999 - PICES-2005)
  • WG 15: Working Group on Ecology of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the North Pacific
    (PICES-1999 - PICES-2003)
  • WG 14: Working Group on Effective Sampling of Micronekton to Estimate Ecosystem Carrying Capacity
    (PICES-1997 - PICES-2004)
  • WG 13: Working Group on Carbon Dioxide in the North Pacific
    (PICES-1997 - PICES-2001)
  • WG 12: Working Group on Crabs and Shrimps
    (PICES-1995 - PICES-2001)
  • WG 11: Working Group on Consumption of Marine Resources by Marine Birds and Mammals
    (PICES-1995 - PICES-1999)
  • WG 10: Working Group on Circulation and ventilation in the Japan/East Sea
    (PICES-1995 - PICES-1999)
  • WG 9: Working Group on Subarctic Pacific Monitoring
    (PICES-1994 - PICES-1997)
  • WG 8: Working Group on Practical Assessment Methodology
    (PICES-1994 - PICES-2000)
  • WG 7: Working Group on Modeling of the Subarctic North Pacific Circulation
    (PICES-1993 - PICES-1995)
  • WG 6: Working Group on Subarctic Gyre
    (PICES-1992 - PICES-1994)
  • WG 5: Working Group on Bering Sea
    (PICES-1992 - PICES-1996)
  • WG 4: Working Group on Data Collection and Quality Control
    (PICES-1992 - PICES-1994)
  • WG 3: Working Group on Dynamics of Small Pelagics in Coastal Eecosystems
    (PICES-1992 - PICES-1995)
  • WG 2: Working Group on Development of Common Assessment Methodology for Marine Pollution
    (PICES-1992 - PICES-1994)
  • WG 1: Working Group on Okhotsk Sea and Oyashio Region
    (PICES-1992 - PICES-1993)