Abstract
Summary Objective: Knowseas programme brings together a consortium representing, the natural and socio-economic sciences, with the ultimate aim of providing an 'Assessment Toolbox' for the development and implementation of emerging EU policy, at both a Regional Sea Scale and within Member State's Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). This will address the Ecosystem Approach, a management paradigm that encompasses both human activity and the supporting ecosystem and is featured in emerging environmental legislation (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, MSFD) and proposed policy covering maritime activities (Maritime Strategy Blue Book). Cefas will contribute in the areas of policy and stakeholder links, methods for ecosystems analysis, and the application of the combined ecosystem and socio-economic approach to the case studies. As well as leading in the NE Atlantic case study (Work Package 10). Key Customer Purpose: The work funded by Defra-Knowseas will complement the knowledge and expertise provided by a number of key institutes from within the OSPAR region, covering for example: marine mammals; cold water ecology and biodiversity; and, socio-economic factors involved in wind farm development. The 'Assessment Toolbox' - developed through regional liason groups and a mult-sector Project Advisory Board - will be used to model the economic and social impacts of changes to ecosystem goods and services, and the costs and benefits of following the various options available through existing or proposed policy instruments.
United Kingdom