Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Annual Review 2012

AEBAR 2012: Appendices
• To develop appropriate diversity metrics and other indicators of biodiversity
that can be used to monitor change
• To identify threats and impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
beyond natural environmental variation
BRAG input to MPI “Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Annual Review”
6. To contribute to and summarise progress on biodiversity research in the Aquatic Environment
and Biodiversity Annual Review. This contribution is analogous to Working Group Reports
from the Fishery Assessment Working Groups.
7. To summarise the assessment methods and results, along with estimates of relevant standards,
references points, or other metrics that may be relevant to biodiversity objectives by MPI, the
Biodiversity Strategy and international obligations.
8. It is desirable that full agreement among technical experts is achieved on the text of these
contributions. If full agreement among technical experts cannot be reached, the Chair will
determine how this will be depicted in the Aquatic Environment and Biodiversity Annual
Review, will document the extent to which agreement or consensus was achieved, and record
and attribute any residual disagreement in the meeting notes.
9. To advise the Principal Science Advisor Fisheries (MPI), about issues of particular
importance that may require review by a plenary meeting or summarising in the Aquatic
Environment and Biodiversity Annual Review. The general criterion for determining which
issues should be discussed by a wider group include:
• Emerging issues, recent or current biodiversity status assessments, trends, or
projections
• The development of a major trend in the marine environment that will impact on
marine productivity or ecosystem resilience to stressors
• Any new studies or data that impact on international obligations
Membership and Protocols for all Science Working Groups (NOTE: paragraph
numbers consistent with those in Terms of Reference for Fisheries Assessment Working
Groups)
Working Group chairs
17. The Ministry will select and appoint the Chairs for Working Groups. The Chair will be a MPI
fisheries scientist who is an active participant in the Working Group, providing technical
input, rather than simply being a facilitator. Working Group Chairs will be responsible for:
* ensuring that Working Group participants are aware of the Terms of Reference for the
working group, and that the Terms of Reference are adhered to by all participants.
* setting the rules of engagement, facilitating constructive questioning, and focussing on
relevant issues.
* ensuring that all peer review processes are conducted in accordance with the Research and
Science Information Standard for New Zealand Fisheries 112 (the Research Standard), and that
112 Link to the Research Standard: http://www.fish.govt.nz/ennz/Publications/Research+and+Science+Information+Standard.htm
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