Most environmental issues, such as those surrounding Pfiesteria, are exceedingly complex and inherent scientific uncertainty requires effective communication between scientists and policy-makers. Mechanisms for such interaction are typically not well formalized. To the extent that communication among all parties is free and open, the Pfiesteria Technical Advisory Committee in Maryland and the Virginia Pfiesteria Task Force are good examples of venues for improved communication. For scientific information to be used effectively it is incumbent on public policy-makers to clearly articulate the questions for which they need answers and, in the face of scientific uncertainty, it is incumbent on scientists to try to reach consensus on issues for which advice is clearly needed. The degree to which consensus can be reached depends on the scientific uncertainty involved.
Adaptive management is essential in the face of scientific uncertainty.
The greater the uncertainty, the more flexible the policy should be.