Our acronym: BECI

Basin-scale Events and Coastal Impacts

Connecting knowledge across the North Pacific to better understand our changing ocean

Endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

About Us

BECI is a collaborative initiative led by the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) and North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC). The project is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Meet Our Team

Our Purpose

To connect research institutions, management bodies, and coastal communities across the North Pacific, breaking down knowledge silos that hinder our collective ability to respond to rapid ocean change. By fostering collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries, we work to enhance ocean intelligence and support informed decision-making for climate-resilient fisheries and sustainable marine conservation.

Mission

To build the North Pacific Ocean Knowledge Network, a comprehensive knowledge integration and synthesis hub that collates existing data, research, monitoring, management efforts, and operational tools across the North Pacific, organizing fragmented information into accessible products to support climate-resilient fisheries and conservation decisions.  

Knowledge Network Components

Past, Present, and Future  

The North Pacific Ocean Climate Knowledge Network takes a comprehensive temporal approach to understanding and responding to climate change impacts. By connecting insights from historical events, current observations, and future projections, we will create a more complete picture of ocean change that supports informed decision-making.

Learning from the Past

Archival and Retrospective Analysis  

To build resilience for future change, we must first understand how marine ecosystems and communities have responded to previous climate events. By synthesizing historical data, observations, and management responses, we can identify patterns, thresholds, and successful adaptation strategies.

Understanding the Present

Monitoring, Research, and Knowledge Integration

Through strategic coordination across the North Pacific, we will develop comprehensive understanding of how climate change is transforming our ocean and how organizations are responding. By connecting monitoring networks, research programs, and management initiatives, we will identify knowledge gaps and enable more effective climate-informed decision-making across the region.

Preparing for the Future

Scenario Planning and Coordination  

Climate-informed decision making requires understanding potential future conditions and having strategies ready for different scenarios. By integrating climate forecasts and projections with management needs, we can help organizations prepare for and adapt to coming changes. 

Outputs

The North Pacific Ocean Climate Knowledge Network will synthesize and share knowledge about climate change impacts and responses across the region. By connecting diverse knowledge sources and research efforts, we will build a more comprehensive understanding of how climate change affects North Pacific marine ecosystems. Our outputs will support climate-informed decisions while fostering new collaborations, improving information flow, and strengthening existing networks.

The Knowledge Network will include:

  • Knowledge Integration Platforms
  • Knowledge Products
  • Planning Resources
  • Knowledge Library
  • Knowledge Exchange & Collaboration Networks  

Together, these efforts create a more coordinated and effective response to climate change in the North Pacific Ocean.

Knowledge Integration Platforms
  • Dynamic mapping tools
  • Visualization interfaces
  • Data exploration systems
Knowledge Products
  • Status reports
  • Synthesis documents
  • Case studies
Planning Resources
  • Risk assessments
  • Decision support frameworks
  • Scenario planning tools
Knowledge Exchange & Collaboration Networks
  • Discussion forums
  • Working groups
  • Webinars and workshops
  • Partnership platforms

Why This Matters

The North Pacific Ocean is experiencing rapid transformation. Extreme events such as marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, species are shifting their distributions across borders, and coastal communities and livelihoods face unprecedented challenges. 

Despite substantial research across the region, critical information remains scattered across institutions, countries, and databases. This fragmentation has real consequences: 

  • Excellent research and operational products often don’t reach the decision-makers who need them most 
  • Fish are shifting faster than management systems can coordinate responses 
  • Cross-regional synthesis essential for managing transboundary species is limited 
  • Conservation challenges emerge as species move beyond protected areas and national boundaries 
  • Critical decisions are made with incomplete information 

Where We Are Now

BECI is currently in the development phase, building the foundational infrastructure and partnerships for the Knowledge Network. Our initial focus is on key transboundary species including Pacific salmonids, Pacific halibut and Pacific saury. 

This focused approach allows us to demonstrate value and build lasting partnerships while creating a flexible platform that can expand to address climate impacts on other priority species and ecosystems across the North Pacific. 

How to Engage:

  • Connect with us – Contact BECI@pices.int to discuss partnership opportunities
  • Share your knowledge – Contribute data, observations, and expertise
  • Participate – Join working groups and webinars 
  • Support the network – Help expand our capabilities through funding or in-kind resources

BECI is committed to working with organizations and partners across the North Pacific rim, including research institutions, government agencies, the private sector, and Indigenous communities. Together, we can build climate resilience for generations to come.

BECI is funded by the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF)