INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEA

Their core work

ICES is an intergovernmental marine science organization that provides independent scientific advice on the sustainable use of ocean resources, particularly fisheries and marine ecosystems in the Atlantic. They coordinate ocean observation networks, develop stock assessment methods, and translate marine science into management advice for governments and policymakers. Their core function is bridging the gap between marine research and fisheries policy — producing the reference points and risk assessments that shape how European fish stocks are managed. They also maintain critical data infrastructure for pan-European ocean and sea data.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), ICES focused broadly on blue growth, marine knowledge transfer, trans-Atlantic cooperation, and building ocean observation infrastructure — playing a connective, capacity-building role across projects like COLUMBUS, AORAC-SA, and AtlantOS. From 2019 onward, their work sharpened toward ecosystem-based fisheries management, quantitative stock assessment, and integrating socio-economic and climate dimensions into fisheries advice (PANDORA, MEESO, SEAwise, EEEFISH). The shift is clear: from broad marine monitoring and knowledge exchange toward becoming the go-to authority on translating complex ecosystem science into actionable fisheries management advice.

ICES is moving decisively toward integrated fisheries advice that combines ecological, economic, and climate data — making them an essential partner for any project aiming to shape EU fisheries policy.

How they like to work

ICES overwhelmingly participates as a partner rather than leading consortia — coordinating only 1 of 12 projects (EEEFISH, a focused Marie Curie fellowship). With 204 unique partners across 38 countries, they function as a high-connectivity hub embedded in large European research consortia. This pattern reflects their intergovernmental advisory role: they contribute authoritative scientific expertise and data infrastructure to many projects without needing to lead, making them a reliable and well-networked consortium member.

ICES has collaborated with 204 unique partners across 38 countries, making them one of the most broadly connected marine science organizations in H2020. Their network spans the full Atlantic basin — from European coastal states to transatlantic partners — with particular depth in Northern and Western European marine research institutions.

What sets them apart

ICES occupies a rare position as an intergovernmental body that sits between research and policy — they don't just produce science, they produce the official advice that EU fisheries regulations are built on. Their 120+ year history and treaty-based mandate give them institutional credibility that no university or research institute can match. For consortium builders, ICES brings immediate policy relevance: having them on board signals that your project's outputs will reach decision-makers.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AORAC-SA
  Largest single EC contribution (€633K) — a strategic support action for the entire Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance, reflecting ICES's role as a pillar of transatlantic marine cooperation.
• EEEFISH
  The only project ICES coordinated — a Marie Curie fellowship integrating ecosystem, environment, and economics into fisheries advice, signaling their ambition to own this interdisciplinary niche.
• SEAwise
  Their most recent major project (2021–2025, €298K) focused on co-designing ecosystem-based fisheries advice with end users — representing the culmination of their shift toward applied, policy-ready science.