Project Page Views: [ 642 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Knowledge-based Sustainable Management for Europe's Seas |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | KnowSeas |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Jeremy Gault (IE), Marcus Collier (IE), |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | University College Cork (UCC) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 51.89348, -8.49206 |
| Lead Funding Entity | European Commission |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/04/2009 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/04/2012 |
| Project Website (if any) | http://www.knowseas.com/ |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Anthropogenic pressure; Marine environment; Policy Implementation; Management |
| Project Abstract | Europe's four regional seas (Baltic, Black, Mediterranean and NE Atlantic) have suffered severe environmental degradation due to human pressure. Existing measures to manage pressures have proven inadequate and the EU Member States have recently responded by adopting a new policy (Blue Book for Maritime Policy) and environmental legislation (Marine Strategy Framework Directive). These instruments rely on the Ecosystem Approach, a management paradigm that encompasses humans and the supporting ecosystem. But the science base for this approach needs strengthening and practical tools must be developed and tested for policy implementation. In particular, criteria for assessing costs and benefits of management actions are poorly developed in the complex marine environment where multiple uses and management conflicts are common. There is a strong need for a "joined up" systems approach between natural and social science that delivers the knowledge base to support management for sustainable seas. The overall objective of the project is to provide a comprehensive scientific knowledge base and practical guidance for the application of the Ecosystem Approach to the sustainable development of Europe's regional seas. This will increase the evidence base available for decision makers and facilitate the practical implementation of the Ecosystem Approach, currently seen by some stakeholders as confusing and nebulous. It will be delivered through a series of specific sub-objectives that lead to a scientifically based suite of tools to assist policy makers and regulators with the practical application of the Ecosystem Approach. It is also expected to deliver high quality scientific outputs that advance our understanding of coupled social and ecological systems. |