This paper (below) outlines the evolution of an idea concerning the Understanding how Marine Science, Regulatory and Policy Frameworks work; this idea is being developed into a project with a steering group.

The idea originated in discussions in the spring of 2023 to use tables to illustrate the critical relationships between marine science, regulation, and policy. This idea has developed steadily over 2025 with various examples described here to describe its practical utility. Historically marine science and governance have operated in distinct silos. The deficiencies of silo-mentality in terms of business efficiency are well understood.

The aim of the Frameworks Project is to overcome the limitations of silo thinking by highlighting commonalities across the science, regulatory and policy landscape by illustrating the relationships and alignments of people, organisations and expert groups. In achieving this we anticipate enhanced collaboration, communication and innovation with common tasks and improved financial support and efficiency by understanding the value chains that are highlighted. The Project benefits are multifaceted and include:

• Relationships, alignment, and context: The project’s foundational table (Table 1) clearly outlines the universal connections between marine and coastal environmental themes, the scientific research and monitoring undertaken on these themes, and the regulatory and policy initiatives that leverage this information.
• People, organisations, and expert groups: The project structure explicitly demonstrates how organisations and expert groups are interconnected, also pinpointing where specific groups of individuals operate. A straightforward outcome could be the creation of comprehensive directories.
• Collaboration, improved communication and innovation and efficiencies: By making relationships and groups of individuals clear, the project paves the way for effective partnerships and collaborative efforts.
• Finance: Efficiencies & Value Chains Addressing common concerns about insufficient funding for scientific work and data shortages for regulators, the project promotes how the scientific processes support multiple regulatory regimes. This raises the question of whether a more collective approach to work on any given theme might lead to better design and funding to better serve the objectives of various organisations and agencies.

The development of this project aims to support fundraising proposals, enabling a more systematic dissemination and documentation of our approach and case studies.

For details: click to see the report here