The Council of SEAFOODplus had a meeting 4-5 March 2004 in IJmuiden, The Netherlands, where important decisions were taken for implementing procedures within the project.
New members
The interest for SEAFOODplus has been overwhelming and many new parties are knocking our door asking to participate in the project. SEAFOODplus is an open project, allowing for new members to be adopted, but we must have clear procedures for including new partners. The European Commission encourages open calls and selection of the best partner. Such procedures will be considered, but are time consuming and calls for a lot of work difficult to handle within the very limited management budget. It was decided that another procedure could be possible where written applications would be required stating accurately why the contribution of the potential new partner would be needed to fulfil the aims set for SEAFOODplus as stated in the work programme. Further, the excellence and the value a new partner could add to the consortium must also be given proper attention before the Council considers any new adoption, and all existing partners must be asked if it would create any conflict of interest. Guidelines for adoptions of new members will be established and distributed.
Club of Interest
As the interest for joining SEAFOODplus is so great, and it would be difficult to absorb too many new full members, the Council decided to establish a forum called ‘Club of Interest’, where researchers, industry and organisations could obtain membership and have close contact to SEAFOODplus. All contacts to SEAFOODplus are now being listed in a database and will be invited to become members of the forum as soon as the conditions for membership have been finally agreed on.
Guidelines
The Council also considered guidelines for reporting and financial matters. A structure for internal reporting for each partner and work package leaders was decided and will be communicated soon. Similarly, financial guidelines stating the most important issues of interest for partners of SEAFOODplus will also be distributed for quick and easy reference. The final version of the Consortium Agreement was carefully considered and released for signature.
ITD business
The different ITD coordinators presented their plans for action in each of the ITD pillars. SEAFOODplus is a member of two networks established between the IPs and NoEs having been granted at the first call of Priority 5. The networks are considering gender issues, and ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) respectively. For further planning of the ITD activities it was decided to have an ITD team meeting in May. Other aspects discussed at the Council meeting concerned the corporate identity within SEAFOODplus, collaboration with other IPs within Priority 5, agreement on members for the External Advisory Board, and plans for the first SEAFOODplus conference 4 October 2004.
