From the ESMWG Terms of Reference:

“The Ecosystem Sciences and Management Working Group (ESMWG) will provide scientific advice and broad direction to the NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) regarding NOAA’s ecosystem related programs, in the context of national and international activities. The ESMWG will focus on the broad research, monitoring, and management components of NOAA’s ecosystem portfolio, as well as on the underlying observations and data management issues. The ESMWG will assist in establishing plans, assessing progress, and reviewing priorities on a continuing basis.

The ESMWG will work closely with the Ecosystem Goal Team (EGT) and the five relevant Line Offices involved in NOAA’s ecosystem programs (National Marine Fisheries Service – NMFS, National Ocean Service – NOS, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research – OAR, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service – NESDIS, and National Weather Service – NWS). In all its activities the Working Group will take into consideration the eight themes set forth by the NOAA SAB: 1) quality, creativity and credibility; 2) timeliness and scale; 3) science connected to the application and operational implementation of policy; 4) capacity building; 5) education and outreach; 6) efficiency; 7) social science integration; and 8) diversity.

The ESMWG, in its role as a sanctioned working group of the NOAA SAB, advises the SAB on the condition and capabilities of NOAA’s ecosystem portfolio and submits formal reports to the SAB that identify current issues, deficiencies, recommendations for remedial action, and proposed initiatives.”

From the ESMWG Terms of Reference: 

“The ESMWG is charged to: 1) foster ongoing dialogue, 2) enhance communication with external partners and stakeholders, and 3) provide a sounding board for proposals to enhance the delivery of science supporting ecosystem approaches to management.

Building upon the recommendations articulated by the External Ecosystem Research Review Team (eERRT), the ESWG will advise the SAB on NOAA’s progress related to: 1) regionalization, 2) integrated ecosystem assessments, 3) ecosystem science & monitoring, and 4) organizational issues. This advisory role will help ensure: 1) integration of NOAA’s ecosystem sciences, 2) organization of NOAA’s capabilities for effective and efficient delivery, and 3) expanded resources and capabilities to meet NOAA’s evolving mission requirements.”

From the ESMWG Terms of Reference: 

“The Working Group will convene 2-3 times per year.”

For information on upcoming meetings, please contact the ESMWG Staff Support.

From the ESMWG Terms of Reference:

“The ESMWG shall be composed of 10-12 outstanding scientists and leaders with a broad interest in NOAA’s ecosystem related activities. Members will have a sound expertise in disciplines relevant to ecosystem-based management, a credible science background, and an operational knowledge of federal agencies and interactions with state and local partners. Members will be appointed for three-year terms on a rolling and randomized basis with the opportunity for one additional term. The ESMWG will provide suggestions of new candidates annually to the NOAA SAB for consideration.”

A current list of ESMWG members can be found here. 

The following are links to key reports by the ESMWG.

• Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty (January 2021)
• Final Report on Improving Fish Stock Assessments (December 2019)
• Final Report on Potential for Citizen Science in Support of Data Needs for Ecosystem-Based Science (November 2018)
• Final Report on Indigenous and Local Ecological Knowledge and NOAA (May 2017)

All ESMWG reports can be found here. 

References
ESMWG Google Drive (only accessible to ESMWG members)
ESWMG 101 Presentation (updated January 2022)
ESMWG Terms of Reference

Contacts
Cynthia Decker
Executive Director, Science Advisory Board
cynthia.decker@noaa.gov

Kathy Longmire
ESMWG Secretariat
katherine.longmire@noaa.gov