Table of Contents

1. EDITORIAL
by Job Dronkers, ENCORA project coordinator, DELTARES, the Netherlands

The SPI of SPICOSA stands for Science Policy Integration. How to integrate science in policy? This isn’t by far an obvious issue. Even if your research addresses practical questions of high societal relevance, it is not sure that it will be embraced by policymakers. Good research is not sufficient for being a welcome player in the policy arena. A researcher should also be aware of the way the policy game is played. Important questions are, for instance:

• How do policymakers perceive the issue you are working on; what are their concerns and how do they express them? Understanding their concerns and using their terminology will strengthen your role in the policy arena.
• How does the timing of your research fit the policy cycle? Is policymaking still in the exploratory phase, is it in the decision-making phase, in the implementation phase or in the evaluation phase? Policy interest will be strongest if your research fits the needs of the actual policy phase.
• A related question regards the predictability of your research results. In many cases policymakers are suspicious about research with an uncertain outcome, especially if policy is already in the phase of being implemented.
• Cui bono, i.e. who benefits from your research? Those who benefit will most likely support your research in the policy arena.
• How sensitive is your research to scientific controversy? Policymakers are reluctant to follow recommendations that might be disputed by other scientists.

SPICOSA addresses specifically the last point. It yields a transparent scientific frame for dealing with the complex interrelationships characteristic of coastal policy issues. By striving for a Europe-wide adoption of this scheme, through a large number of site studies, it sets a standard that is resilient against scientific controversy.

The issue of science policy integration is not only a concern of SPICOSA; it is relevant for coastal and marine research in general. The ENCORA Coordination Action addressed this issue by establishing national coastal networks in many European countries, gathering both scientists and other coastal stakeholders. These national networks will continue after the expiration of ENCORA; several networks will merge with the national branches of EUCC, the Coastal and Marine Union.
One of the services developed by ENCORA is the Coastal Wiki (www.coastalwiki.org), an Internet encyclopaedia meant for transferring new insight in coastal and marine processes to the broader community of coastal and marine professionals. It is continuously improved, extended and updated by experts registered in the Contact Database; many Spicosians already have an editing authorisation and others can get it by contacting info@encora.eu. Soon a special SPICOSA entry (SPICOSA Wiki) will be available on the SPICOSA website.

Two other recent initiatives aim to establish a European framework for dialogue between science and policy, and are therefore highly relevant for the SPICOSA community.

In response to a recent call of FP7 (Framework Programme for Research of the European Commission), a consortium of coastal, marine and maritime research networks has submitted a proposal (called “MARCOM+”, lead-partner ICES) for a European Marine Science Partnership. EUCC represents in the consortium the interests of the ENCORA and SPICOSA coastal communities. This Support Action will in a two-years program explore new governance models in research for facilitating a structured dialogue with civil society, industry and policymakers involved in coastal, marine and maritime issues. This initiative will provide a framework for integrating the European marine and maritime science community, in which SPICOSA and other existing coastal and marine networks are invited to participate. The Partnership will promote the integration of science in policy and practice and it will advice the European Commission (DG RTD) on research programmes in support of the European Maritime Policy.

The second initiative is the establishment of a European Coastal, Marine and Maritime Stakeholder Forum. At the Littoral conference in Venice, in November last year, SPICOSA and 27 other coastal and marine network organisations signed the Venice Platform Declaration. They expressed their intention to engage in a cooperation process, which will support the European Maritime Policy in several ways: by assisting in the definition of policy priorities related to coastal and maritime matters, by cooperating on issues of common concern, by taking greater benefit of the widespread available knowledge and experience in Europe and by making a more efficient use of mutual resources and investments.

EC DG Maritime Affairs (also known as DG MARE) has invited the initiators of the Venice Platform, to organise a workshop at the forthcoming EU Maritime Days (19th –20th May, Rome, Italy) for further elaborating and extending this stakeholders forum, together with network organisations representing coastal, marine and maritime interests in other sectors. The workshop will focus, in particular, on the questions:

• What could be the added value of a stakeholder forum for better sharing knowledge and information on issues with a European dimension, among stakeholders involved in different coastal, marine and maritime sectors?
• How could a stakeholder forum be organised for an effective dialogue between the European Commission and the stakeholders community, i.e. for voicing stakeholders interests in a coherent and balanced way?

We hope to make good progress on these questions and to move forward at the Maritime Days towards a concerted initiative. We will continue to keep you informed about the developments!

2. SPICOSA progress

System Approach Framework – Node 2 latest developments

Node 2 is the SPICOSA group of which has the task of producing the System Approach Framework (SAF) manual in 4 volumes – system design, formulation, appraisal and output. It has been a busy year for this group; following on from the design step which was written in year 1, the System Formulation volume describing how to build models using the standard SPICOSA computer package EXTEND or similar modelling software is nearing completion; the draft Appraisal Step volume which explains how to calibrate and validate the models and then how to start developing scenarios to run on these models has been produced; and writing has started on the System Output volume which will describe the outcomes of the System Approach Framework and will present them to stakeholders and policy makers in order to lead to a deliberation process. There has been close collaboration with Node 3 Study Sites grappling to implement this SAF process through the cluster meetings described below.

Paul Tett, who led the preparation of the system design volume, has taken the lead editor role in the production of the System Approach Framework manual as a book with the working title 'A Short Guide to the SAF'. This will be a major output of SPICOSA and hopefully well thumbed copies of this manual will sit on the bookshelves of marine managers for many years to come. In an effort to support the SSAs and make the material widely available for the future, Node 2 has also developed a website which is envisaged to be a one stop shop for all relevant SAF information including the handbook and reports from Node 1 on social and economic aspects of SPICOSA. This website will be made available on the public SPICOSA site.

Node 2 continues to develop integration in SPICOSA working particularly with Node 1 (Science and Policy Interface Methodology) and Node 5 (Knowledge Transfer). We plan a workshop on ecological-social-economic integration in the autumn with Node 1 and are liaising with Node 5 to provide materials for the academic teaching and professional training packages through their dedicated website, SetNet (see below article 5).

We have also submitted a bid for funding to INTERREG which will allow us to undertake a SAF style process in new study sites; these will be Plymouth Sound in the UK and the Bay of Brest in France. Feedback from the Secretary at the scene is positive so far so we will keep our fingers crossed. A decision will be made as to whether funding will be given in June 2009. If successful this will help the SAF to live on beyond the end of the project and enter the wider world! For more information contact Gillian Glegg (G.Glegg@plymouth.ac.uk) and Chris Lowe (Christopher.lowe@plymouth.ac.uk)

SSAs cooperate closely towards implementation of the SAF Steps

February 2009 has been marked by active cooperation among the study sites teams to gain insight and advance in the implementation of the Formulation and the Appraisal Steps of the SAF. The SSAs were grouped in two cluster workshops held in Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Cluster workshop team in Copenhagen

At the cluster meeting held in Amsterdam nine study site teams have come together to address the developments and challenges of the Formulation Step, of the System Approach Framework. In Copenhagen, the remaining study teams joined to discuss and plan the actions required for the implementation of the Appraisal Step of the SAF.

Cluster workshop team at work in Amsterdam

During the two meetings, smaller thematic groups have been formed, and SAF and Model support experts were present to help solving problems, questions and plan the future developments.

All 18 study sites of SPICOSA are now well underway with the design of their ExtendSIM® models to describe a variety of coastal processes ranging from eutrophication, fisheries, and beach attractiveness to clam culture. A generic model library is a complete set of reusable model components which can be used to (re)build coastal models for new study areas, not much unlike the well-known Lego bricks.

The population of such a model library is one of the key challenges of the project and serves several purposes:

• existing models are easier to expand or maintain
• new models are easier to build
• quick exchange of models within the scientific community
• avoidance of unnecessary modelling (not “reinventing the wheel”)

The principles of generic modelling have been elaborated during the SPICOSA Cluster Workshops as presented above.

For more information about Modelling in EXTEND we invite you to visit the Special Newsletter available online under section SIMULATION (www.spicosa.eu/simulation/) and/or to directly contact Jean-Luc de Kok (jeanluc.dekok@vito.be), leader of SPICOSA WP8 Model Support team.

For more information about the Cluster workshops please contact Bert van Eck (leader of Cluster Formulation Step team, Amsterdam) email: bert.vaneck@deltares.nl; and Josianne Støttrup (leader of Cluster Appraisal Step, Copenhagen) email: jgs@aqua.dtu.dk

SPICOSA LIVE

A new and quick way of learning about SPICOSA! Video (and audio) files for a closer look to the project team, latest developments, and partner experiences is available at the project website!

In this way, the SPICOSA team hopes to create a more personal interaction with the coastal stakeholder communities, as well as, among the project team. Online videos and interviews with Denis Bailly, Jeanette Reis, Tavis Potts and Audun Sandberg – all partners of the SPICOSA project about their working experiences and practices in this project.

To view, listen and download at www.spicosa.eu/spicosa-live/

3. Announcements

New EU ICZM initiative - OURCOAST

Proper exchange of experiences and access to outstanding studies and best practices being produced in many Coastal Member States at different authority level has been lacking. This is why General Directorate (DG) Environment of the European Commission tendered the OURCOAST project that has started in January 2009. The overall goal of OURCOAST is to create an information base and groundwork that will further support implementation of ICZM in coastal areas by the establishment of long-lasting information mechanisms that will promote the sharing of experiences and practices throughout Europe. This will be achieved by the establishment of a multi-lingual database of Europe-wide ICZM practices in the form of case studies that will be freely searchable with the help of a user-friendly mechanism. OURCOAST project is implemented by a consortium led by ARCADIS, The Netherlands, (including expert staff of ARCADIS companies of Belgium and Germany) and its sub-contractor the Coastal & Marine Union (EUCC).

For more information and to get involved please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/iczm/ourcoast.htm

List of upcoming events

European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference
Date: May 19th  – 20th , 2009, Rome, Italy
Draft programme is now available online http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/pdf/programme.pdf 
Participation in the conference is free of charge
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/index_en.html

SPICOSA System Approach Framework (SAF) Workshop & Public Event
Date: June 8th – 12th 2009, Rome, Italy
10th June at 16.00h PUBLIC EVENT - The Future of Systems Approach Science to support ICZM implementation - at CNR ( National Research Centre) Headquarters in Rome. More information will soon made available at www.spicosa.eu

9th  International Conference on the Mediterranean Coastal Environment - MEDCOAST 09
Date: November 10th -14th , 2009, Sochi, Russia
Abstract submission: April 20, 2009
Website: at www.medcoast.org.tr

4th  European Conference on Coastal Lagoon Research, Research and Management for the Conservation of Coastal Lagoon Ecosystems, South - North comparisons – ECoCLR
Date: December 14th-18th, 2009, Montpellier, France
Second announcement with call for Abstracts: 15 April 2009
Deadline for Abstract submission and early registration: 15 June 2009
Website: www.ecolag.univ-montp2.fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=128&lang=en

4. SPICOSA Study Sites

The Project is testing and improving its methodology, the System Approach Framework (SAF) at various sites in a limited, real-time configuration. We have chosen eighteen Study Site Applications (SSAs) all over Europe for this purpose. In each issue of this SPICOSA Newsletter, introduces some of these sites.

In this issue a closer look to IZMIT Bay, in Turkey and a video interview with Tavis Potts Clyde Firth, Scotland.

Izmit Bay (Marmara Sea), Turkey

Izmit Bay, located in the North Eastern part of the Marmara Sea, in Turkey, has an area of 279 km². The bay consists of three parts, connected to each other by narrow openings. The bay has a two- layer water stratification and flow system with a halocline / thermocline which separates the lower water layer of Mediterranean origin (35-38 ‰) from the upper layer of Black Sea origin (22-28 ‰). The thicknesses of the layers change seasonally depending upon the current systems in the area. The major discharges are from the northern part of the Bay.

Izmit Bay is high densely populated and industrialized coastal area. Approximately 2 million people live around the Izmit Bay, mainly in 3 large cities, Izmit, Yalova and Tuzla, and several smaller industrial towns. Izmit Bay and its surroundings is one of the most heavily industrialized regions in Turkey, with large petrochemical and chemical plants and ship-yards; heavy steel industries; textile and related industries; pulp and paper processing plants and automotive industries.

Izmit Bay is a semi-enclosed, two-layered water body. The upper layer of the whole bay is considered to be eutrophic throughout the year; the lower layer has low Dissolved Oxygen content directly linked with the oxidation of autotrophic and anthropogenic organic material. The Bay, has been subjected to pollution by surrounding domestic and industrial discharges since 1970’s and has experienced very rapid growth of population in the last 30 years. Furthermore many effluents discharging to the bay are toxic and also contains harmful organic pollutants such as PCB and PAH, the latter increased also because of fires following the 1999 powerful earthquake that struck the region.

The main drivers and related pressures on the system are:

1. Urbanization: oxygen deficiency in bottom waters; eutrophication
2. Industrialization: toxicity; harmful substance accumulation in biota and sediments
3. Marine transportation: harmful substance accumulation in biota and sediments

Considering the water system characteristics and its environmental factors developing an ecosystem based management approach is very important for both the future investment/urbanization plans and for conservation of the natural characteristics of the Bay ecosystem and its sustainability. Thus, changes in industrial and domestic discharges will be determined, and their possible effects on the aquatic ecosystem will be predicted.

Click to enlarge

The System Approach Framework (SAF) methodology and its tools are being implemented in Izmit Bay. A policy issue has been defined as “Improvement of Water during the in the Design Step of the SAF implementation. Focusing on this issue a conceptual model was developed considering environmental, social, and economic dimensions of the system. The output this application will permit the local authorities and decision makers to take the necessary actions earlier. The SSA team is also engaged to ensure information dissemination to the non-science end-user community in the bay.

By Leyla Tolun, Izmit Bay (Turkey) SSA team, email: Leyla.Tolun@mam.gov.tr

5. SPICOSA Education and Training Network

SETNET Latest News

SETNET is a platform for disseminating information, knowledge and experiences about systems approaches, specifically for ICZM students and coastal professionals in Europe.

Many activities have been developed as part of the SPICOSA education and training network – SETNET. The latest are now available online, including an overview of the recent SPICOSA training workshop in Gdansk, Poland; examples of where systems approaches are being successfully implemented; a field education course in Portugal; insights into barriers to coastal education and training; and information about the latest education and training opportunities.

A podcast by Jeanette Reis at the official launch of the SetNet network website can be viewed here.

For more information and the full SETNET newsletter please visit, www.spicosa.eu/setnet/ or email: reisj@cardiff.ac.uk (Jeanette Reis WP13 Professional Training leader).

COLOPHON

SPICOSA NEWS is a newsletter produced by the SPICOSA consortium for professionals dealing in one way or another with coastal science, planning, and management. The next issue is due in October 2009.

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