PICES brings together academic researchers, government scientists and managers, and organizations to share knowledge and coordinate research, providing practical information to support sustainable ocean management and decision making.

The PICES and APN Collaborative Framework for Scientific Cooperation aims to enhance collaboration between the organizations towards their shared goals. Shared research areas include climate change, marine plastic debris and microplastics, and downscaling regional climate models. Recent collaboration activities include:

• Joint workshop at PICES-2025 in Yokohama, Japan focusing on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Engaging Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge; see PICES Press Winter 2026 (Vol. 35, No. 1 pg. 45).
• Supported attendees at the Proposal Development Training Workshops (PDTW), held in Suva, Fiji in 2024 and Jeju, Korea in 2025

After many short-term expert groups on marine plastic pollution, PICES has established a long-term dedicated Section on Marine Plastic Pollution, with great potential for future collaboration.