Working Group on Governance of the Regional Database & Estimation System (WGRDBESGOV; outputs from 2023 meeting)

The Working Group on Governance of the Regional Database & Estimation System (WGRDBES-GOV) provides the governance function for both the existing Regional Database (RDB) and the new Regional Database & Estimation System (RDBES) that is currently in development. It is composed of representatives from ICES member countries and EU Regional Coordination Groups (RCGs). In this report the WGRDBESGOV reviews the RDBES developments performed during 2023 and plans for the work required in 2024 and beyond. The RDBES has already replaced the RDB data system in 2023, and it is planned to replace ICES InterCatch by 2027. It has an important part to play in increasing transparency and improving the quality of stock assessment within ICES. To this end, WGRDBESGOV: -works intersessionally during the year. Three intersessional subgroups (ISSG) areplanned for 2024: The Core Group (continued), ISSG Data Quality (new), and ISSG For-mat on finalizing Regional Catch Estimates Format (RCEF) (new). -plans workshops and working groups which help data submitters and stock coordina-tors with the transition to the new system. The outcomes of the groups held in 2023 werepresented and four WG/WK have been planned for 2024: WKRDBES-INTRO, WKRD-BES-RaiseStock1, WGRDBES-EST (2024-2027) and WGRDBES-StockCoord. -works in coordination with the RCGs, to ensure that their needs are fulfilled. -coordinates with a number of ICES WG who provide technical support in relation todifferent types of data: WGCATCH, WGBIOP, WGBYC and WGRFS. During the WGRDBESGOV 2023, the participants worked in four subgroups about: Revision of the Roadmap, Data Quality, Funding, and Confidentiality.