• Acronym: SG-SCOOP
• Parent Committee: SB
• Term: Jul. 2014 - Oct. 2015
• Co-Chairs:
  Chuanlin Huo (PICES) PM_CWTH@163.COM
  Alexander Tkalin (NOWPAP) Alexander.Tkalin@nowpap.org

The purpose of a joint PICES-NOWPAP Study Group on Scientific Cooperation in the North Pacific Ocean is to develop a framework of enhanced collaboration between the two organizations to serve as the basis for longer-term strategic planning.  The Study Group will review each organization's scientific needs, especially PICES' Strategic Plan and NOWPAP's Medium-Term Strategy, and identify where similar key questions or scientific issues might be explored jointly by both organizations.

1. Review existing and planned scientific activities of each organization
2. Develop a list potential areas of cooperation
3. Convene a meeting/workshop for the following purposes
   • improve understanding of the science activities of each organization
   • review scientific topics from TOR (1) to identify areas of common interest
   • develop a framework for cooperation between NOWPAP and PICES that lists categories of joint activities and the rationale for each, including the benefits to each organization from the joint activity, and identify priorities for joint activities within categories
   • recommend processes for implementing TOR (3c)
   • recommend approaches to develop a strategic plan for cooperation and mechanisms to periodically update that plan
4. Prepare a final Study Group report for distribution by the NOWPAP-PICES Secretariats by fall 2015.