Publication Abstract

Hydrobiological variability in the ICES area, 1990-1999: introduction

R.R. Dickson, J. Meincke and W.R. Turrell

This volume records the proceedings of the second in a series of Decadal Symposia, in this case focusing on the decade of the 1990s and set up by ICES to meet a quite specific purpose. As in the first volume (Dickson et al., 1992), it is worth recalling why the series was begun, since this explains the aims and content of the Symposium. In October 1987, during the 75th Statutory Meeting in Santander, the Council endorsed the conclusion of its Consultative Committee that annual publication of the Annales Biologiques series was no longer feasible within the available budget, and Volume 41 for the year 1984 became the last in that distinguished series. From the expressions of regret recorded by many Standing Committees at its dis-continuation (Proces-Verbal, 1987), it was plain that the Annales had been providing a valuable compilation of data and information not readily available elsewhere. Hence, as there remained a scientific justification, ICES aimed to meet the same scientific purpose via a different and more affordable route.

On the advice of a small working party, consisting of the Chairs of the (then) Hydrography, Marine Environmental Quality, and Biological Oceano graphy Committees, together with the ICES Hydro grapher and ICES Environment Officer, the Consultative Committee recommended that the essential purpose of Annales Biologiques might be met by promoting symposia on "Overviews of the Decade", in which, following the approach o NAFO, the relevant climatic, oceanographic, anc biological material might be pulled together an( compared. This recommendation was accepted b` the Council, and at the 76th Statutory Meeting it Bergen it was given substance when it was decide( that the first such symposium should be held it Mariehamn in the Baltic during June 1991.

Reference:

R.R. Dickson, J. Meincke and W.R. Turrell, 2003. Hydrobiological variability in the ICES area, 1990-1999: introduction. ICES Marine Science Symposium, 219: 1-12.