WHAT IS PAG?

The Pacific Arctic Group (PAG) is a group of institutes and individuals having a Pacific perspective on Arctic science. Organized under the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the PAG has as its mission to serve as a Pacific Arctic regional partnership to plan, coordinate, and collaborate on science activities of mutual interest. The four PAG principle science themes are climate, contaminants, human dimensions and structure and function of Arctic ecosystems.

The PAG membership is led by an Executive Committee consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, one Executive Member and the Project Coordinator. The general membership of the PAG may form project groups to address specific issues linked to the PAG objectives. The Project Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the project groups and represents the project groups on the Executive Committee. The general membership consists of at least one member of each country or institution with interest in the PAG zone of interest. Members are chosen to represent regional variety and breadth of scientific expertise required in PAG.

The Executive Committee, Project Coordinator and project groups are supported by a small Secretariat which is located on a rotating basis between member countries. The Secretariat: provides administrative support for the functioning of the PAG; provides technical science support; organizes PAG meetings; records decisions of the PAG; undertakes a professional communications function for the PAG; provides a central point for communications to and from the PAG; and undertakes other matters as required.

MANDATE AND TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. Introduction

• The Arctic marine environment provides many vital benefits to our nations. The waters are home to an incredible ecosystem of plant and animal life. Arctic waters affect global ocean currents and global climate, which act as an indicator of national and global temperature and climate. A strong understanding of the Arctic water bodies is essential in order to understand the global processes and world??s oceans.

2. Definition of the Pacific Arctic Region

• The Pacific Arctic Region is loosely defined as the area lying between Russia and Alaska (Bering Strait) and extends northward including the Beaufort Gyre and Arctic Ocean and south including the Bering Sea. The area also includes seasonally ice-covered seas. PAG activities may extend beyond these boundaries based on project objectives.

3. PAG Objectives

• To identify gaps in knowledge and priority research needs across the Pacific Arctic Region and seek means to implement programmes and activities that address them.
• To facilitate and coordinate science operations among PAG member countries.
• To promote and facilitate data accessibility and integrated data bases for the region.
• To serve as a forum for information exchange on Pacific Arctic Region (PAR) science programmes.
• To establish and maintain a direct link between PAG and other relevant science organisations.

4. Size, Structure and Make-Up

The PAG general membership consists of at least one member from each country or institution represented by the PAG area of interest. The membership consists of both      Scientists and Program Managers and should reflect an appropriate balance between the principal PAG science themes: climate, contaminants, human dimensions and structure and function of Arctic ecosystems.

Members are responsible for communication of PAG activities within their countries/agencies for the purpose of enhancing partnerships and opportunities within the scientific community.

'Science' members, are responsible for identifying activities of general interest to PAG members, and promoting coordination in the field work, data analysis and other scientific activities.

'Program Manager' members are responsible for generating interest about PAG activities within their member countries or organizations and with their partners and seeking funding for partnerships.

The general membership of the PAG may form project groups to address specific issues linked to the PAG objectives. These projects will be related to process studies, regional surveys, and climate monitoring. Groups will agree regarding the leading scientific questions, natural geographical constraints, and appropriate suites of state variables will serve to identify areas of mutual interest. Once defined, scientific objectives of the PAG can be articulated and promoted as an integral part of national and international programs. Project groups will be pro-active in identifying important data and promoting their accessibility. PAG project groups may also be formed for the purpose of organizing symposia and/or prepare white papers.

4.2 PAG CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The PAG Executive Committee consists of a Chair, Vice Chair, Executive Member and Project Coordinator. As members depart, nominations for membership to the Executive Committee are evaluated by the Committee.

In addition, the Executive Committee may, from time to time, strike an ?®ad hoc' committee to deal with a specific issue.

The PAG Project Coordinator acts as the liaison between the interests of the Executive Committee and the project groups. The Project Coordinator will serve as a resource to provide scientific support for consensus and assist in promoting approved projects.

The Project Coordinator is nominated by the PAG Executive Committee. 

4.4 PAG SECRETARIAT

The functions of the PAG are supported by a small Secretariat, the location of which will rotate among member countries. The Secretariat will be directed by the Executive Committee and work closely with the Project Coordinator and project groups as appropriate. The Secretariat will:

• provide administrative support for the functioning of the PAG;
• provide maintenance to the PAG website;
• organize PAG meetings;
• record decisions of the PAG;
• undertake a professional communications function for the PAG Executive Committee, providing a central point for communications to and from the PAG;
• under the direction of the Project Coordinator, provide the basic infrastructure and knowledge base for receiving and disseminating both general scientific information and specific information requests;
• undertake such other matters as from time to time might be appropriate.