Science of the futurefrom traditional to modern science

EFARO meeting on the Revision of the CFP, 24 November 2009, Ostend

Martin Pastoors

Wageningen UR Centre for Marine Policy

Is there a role for science in the future marine policies?

Such a [all-embracing maritime] policy should be supported by excellence in marine scientific research, technology and innovation."

Source: EC Marine and Maritime Research Strategy, 2008

Is there a role for the CFP in the future marine policies?

So what is this “best available science”?

Traditional science: linking back to Merton (1942)

– Universalism (impersonal criteria)– Communism (owned by society)– Disinterestedness (getting at the truth / peer

review– Organized skepticism (exclude prejudice)

Example: TAC machine

Merton in practice?

Example: Good-Environmental-Status

Credibility

SalienceLegitimacy

Scientific plausibility

Relevant and useableUnbiased, meeting standards

Modern Science =

Post-Normal Science

Funtowicz and Ravetz, 1993, 2008

Uncertainty will not go away !

Extended-peer communityQuality control + transparency:

+

Three main challenges:

• Reversing the burden of proof

• New governance arrangements

• Transdisciplinary knowledge

Reversing burden of proof:from top-down to show-what-you-have

Different roles of science: objectives, plans, verification

New governance arrangements: different roles for science

Legitimacy (acceptance)

Participation

Accountability (who to answer)

Transdisciplinary knowledge

Yes, there is a role of science in

new marine policies....

... but it is a different role: Facilitating instead of Judging

Vangstsucces tong in de vloot en per schip

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Bron: Floor Quirijns, IMARES

Develop new institutional mechanisms for dealing with new challenges