The 2023 edition of the annual Seminar on Fisheries Science of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) will focus on the potential role of Citizen Science to support the Common Fisheries Policy.

The demand from stakeholders for greater involvement with the implementation of the Common Fisheries policy, including through increased contribution to the scientific process, is a positive development, particularly in the context of an ecosystem approach requiring substantially more data than a more traditional management approach, but also because of the presence of persistent data gaps for many stocks, as well as the paucity of data regarding recreational fisheries. In the context of rapid technological and communications developments, the digital transition presents significant opportunities for more opportunistic and widespread collection of data. It would therefore be important to explore how to better harness the potential of a collaborative approach such as Citizen Science in using these opportunities to secure additional data while empowering stakeholders and increasing their participation to the scientific process supporting the CFP.

The 2023 science seminar will therefore be dedicated to exploring the rapid developments in the area of Citizen Science to support the scientific process and fisheries management.

The seminar will be opened by Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. It will be followed by a presentation by the Commission Joint Research Centre on the potential of Citizen Science to inform fisheries and environmental policies. The next presentation will highlight an example of the contribution of the fishing industry towards the provision of data supporting the scientific advice on pelagic fisheries, identifying challenges and opportunities. This will be followed by a presentation on the contribution of Citizen Science to increase knowledge of Greek marine biodiversity, increase collaboration with recreational fishermen and promote conservation measures. Finally, the last presentation will look at the use of citizen science to collect data on recreational fisheries in Ireland, with examples of the bluefin tuna and salmon recreational fisheries.

The half-day hybrid event will take place on the morning of 30 of June 2023, from 9am to 1pm. It will bring together a wide range of stakeholders such as scientists, fisheries and environmental administrations in Member States and at regional level, the fishing sector, NGOs, and the representatives of the European Commission, Parliament, Council and Member States.