House of Commons

Session 2006-07 Publications on the internet Science and Technology Committee Publications

Science and Technology - Tenth Report Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 9 October 2007. CONTENTS Terms of Reference REPORT SUMMARY 1  INTRODUCTION The importance of understanding the oceans Our inquiry Relevant reports House of Lords Report on Marine Science and Technology European Commission documents Defra policy papers Structure of Report 2  MARINE SCIENCE Definitions and characteristics Climate systems and climate change Role of the oceans in regulating climate Climate change Gaps in knowledge of climate change and the oceans Research programmes Ocean acidification and climate change The oceans and the environment Exploitation of the oceans Future exploitation Blue skies research Priorities for marine research 3  FUNDING AND ORGANISATION OF MARINE SCIENCE IN THE UK Research Councils: NERC Responsive mode funding Directed programmes NERC's centres Universities Funding issues NERC's strategy and organisation Other Research Councils Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Cross-Research Council issues Government departments Defra Fisheries laboratories Ministry of Defence Private sector Overall funding 4  CO-ORDINATION OF RESEARCH EFFORT AND FUNDING Inter-Agency Committee for Marine Science and Technology (IACMST) Departmental responsibility Effectiveness of the IACMST Other initiatives Self-organisation Co-ordination in other countries Improving co-ordination of marine science and technology in the UK An agency for marine science 5  FACILITIES AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR MARINE RESEARCH Research Vessels NERC's research vessel fleet Bartering arrangements Collaboration opportunities Use of private vessels and ships of opportunity Capacity and demand Conclusions on vessels Other facilities Technical crew and personnel Information technologies for marine science Government support The Marine Foresight Panel 6  OBSERVATIONS AND MONITORING Role of Defra and UKMMAS Gaps in data Funding and co-ordination International ocean monitoring systems Satellites Sharing data Conclusions on the release of data European Marine Observation and Data Network Modelling 7  MARINE SCIENCE IN THE POLAR REGIONS The importance of studying the polar oceans International Polar Year The UK's role in polar science The Antarctic The Arctic 8  MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY Conservation of marine areas The Marine Bill Purpose of MPAs The scientific basis for MPAs Steps to be taken 9  TECHNOLOGY AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER Marine technology Marine technology and scientific advances Technology transfer to the commercial sector Technology and policy formulation Industry and strategy 10  HEALTH OF THE RESEARCH AND SKILLS BASE Position of UK research Skills Education and outreach Role of learned societies Increasing public awareness 11  INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION International organisations International projects International project offices EU marine research Collaboration Framework Programme 7 12  A UK MARINE STRATEGY The need for a UK marine science strategy A UK marine action plan Implementation and oversight 13  CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ANNEX A: THE MARINE AGENCY-FUNCTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS FORMAL MINUTES WITNESSES LIST OF WRITTEN EVIDENCE LIST OF UNPRINTED EVIDENCE LIST OF REPORTS FROM THE COMMITTEE DURING THE CURRENT PARLIAMENT MINUTES OF EVIDENCE - VOLUME II (HC 470-II) Tuesday 1 May 2007 Wednesday 16 May 2007 Wednesday 13 June 2007 Wednesday 4 July 2007 Monday 16 July 2007 Monday 23 July 2007 WRITTEN EVIDENCE - VOLUME II (HC 470-II)

© Parliamentary copyright 2007	Prepared 18 October 2007