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31 figures, 6 tables, The advancement of ecosystem-based management of aquatic ecosystems should no longer be limited by a lack of tools. However, a lack of comprehensive understanding of the capabilities of existing tools can form a barrier for uptake. With this chapter, we strive to more fully describe one of these tools, the spatial-temporal ecosystem model Ecospace, which is part of the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) ecosystem modeling approach and software. Changes and developments in Ecospace have been faster than documented in recent years. Many features of Ecospace, including the most recent that have not been described before, are detailed in this chapter. The applications highlighted showcase the multitude of uses of the spatial application of EwE, which, especially due to expansion of the capabilities to incorporate the effects of environmental change, has facilitated its use outside of fisheries management to protection of biodiversity, ecosystem restoration and environmental impact assessment. New applications of Ecospace can truly contribute to advance modeling of cumulative impacts and management alternatives in marine ecosystems, and can be of interest to inform sectoral and intersectoral policy, KdM acknowledges the funding provided through her early-career research fellowship of the National Academies of Sciences’ Gulf Research Program. MC and JS wish to acknowledge funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 817578 (TRIATLAS project) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation grant agreement N° PID2020-118097RB-I00 (ProOceans). JS, JJH and VC acknowledge funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101000302 (EcoScope) and MC from No 869300 (FutureMares project). VC also acknowledge support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Discovery Grant RGPIN-2019-04901, With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)

The ICES Working Group on Ecosystem Assessment of Western European Shelf Seas (WGEA-WESS) aims to provide high quality science in support to holistic, adaptive, evidence-based man-agement in the Celtic seas, Bay of Biscay and Iberian coast regions. The group works towards developing integrated ecosystem assessments for both the (i) Celtic Seas and (ii) Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast which are summarized in the Ecosystem Overviews (EOs) advice products that were recently updated. Integrated Trend Analysis (ITA) were performed for multiple sub-ecoregions and used to develop an understanding of ecosystem responses to pressures at varying spatial scales. Ecosystem models (primarily Ecopath with Ecosim; EwE) were developed and identified for fisheries and spatial management advice. The updated Celtic Seas EO represents a large step forward for EOs, with the inclusion of novel sections on climate change, foodweb and productivity, the first application of the new guidelines for building the conceptual diagram, inclusion of socio-economic indicators, and progress made toward complying with the Transparent Assessment Framework (TAF). We highlight ongoing issues relevant to the development and communication of EO conceptual diagrams. A common methodology using dynamic factor analysis (DFA) was used to perform ITA in a comparable way for seven subregions. This was supported by the design and compilation of the first standardized cross-regional dataset. A comparison of the main trends evidenced among subregions over the period 1993–2020 was conducted and will be published soon. A list of available and developing EWE models for the region was also generated. Here, we re-port on the advances in temporal and spatial ecosystem modelling, such as their capacity to model the impacts of sector activities (e.g. renewables and fisheries) and quantify foodweb indi-cators. We also reflect on model quality assessment with the key run of the Irish sea EwE model. The group highlighted the hurdles and gaps in current models in support of EBM, such as the choice of a relevant functional, spatial, and temporal scales and the impacts of model structure on our capacity to draw comparisons from models of different regions. The group aims to ad-dress these issues in coming years and identify routes for ecosystem model derived information into ICES advice. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

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Kellett, Paula ... et al.-- Seas, Oceans & Public Health in Europe (SOPHIE) Liking Oceans and Health Research.-- 55 pages, figures, 1 annex, Oceans and Human Health (OHH) is a meta-discipline exploring the complex and inextricable links between the health of the ocean and that of humans. It is our vision that OHH will be recognized as a core component of the Planetary Health concept, with OHH awareness spreading through all relevant fields and communities. This will help build the required OHH research capacity to understand the links between ocean health and human health, in order to optimize the outcomes for both. [...], This Strategic Research Agenda is Deliverable 6.2 of the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme-Funded Coordination and Support Action (CSA) Project SOPHIE (Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe), Grant Agreement No. 774567

Integrated management of the marine environment requires a holistic understanding of marine ecosystems, rather than focusing on single issues, species, or ecosystem services in isolation. Marine ecosystem models are an important analytical approach to: integrate knowledge, data, and information; improve understanding on ecosystem functioning; and complement monitoring and observation efforts. They also offer the potential to predict the response of marine ecosystems to future scenarios and to support the implementation of ecosystem-based management of our seas and ocean.Europe has an excellent capability in Marine Ecosystem Modelling and these are being increasingly used as a tool for ecosystem management. However, there remains a mismatch between scientific research and what policy makers need to know. EMB Future Science Brief 4 examines current state-of-the-art in Europe and beyond and recommends key areas where marine ecosystem modelling capability could be strengthened, including ways to better connect models, observations and societal needs.

The EurOCEAN 2019 conference took place on 11-12 June 2019 and was hosted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. The conference discussed the contribution of European marine science to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the Ocean Decade, and is recognised as a contribution to its preparatory phase. The conference highlighted the contribution of marine science to ongoing and future initiatives supported by the European Union Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation, including Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) and the forthcoming Horizon Europe (2021-2027). The Conference was co-organised by European Marine Board, the European Commission and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. This document is the report of the conference. Possible solutions exist to the challenges the ocean face. However, these need to be aligned, implemented and enforced via holistic approaches, ensuring willingness, trust and co-creation by all stakeholders. The marine science community has the vital responsibility to ensure that ocean science is involved in the discussion to deliver appropriate answers to societal questions, to raise awareness of the intrinsic links we have with the ocean, and to inform and give courage to relevant decision-makers at all levels at the appropriate time. Europe is at the forefront in enabling science to provide support in making wise decisions and has the potential to become the largest ocean research community in the world. European marine science is prepared to contribute to handle the critical challenges we now confront. Ocean issues now have the attention of society. The European marine science community, countries and the European Union are engaged and need to deliver the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Everybody is responsible for making it a success. We can’t manage the ocean; we can only manage human activities.

Integrated management of the marine environment requires a holistic understanding of marine ecosystems, rather than focusing on single issues, species, or ecosystem services in isolation. Marine ecosystem models are an important analytical approach to: integrate knowledge, data, and information; improve understanding on ecosystem functioning; and complement monitoring and observation efforts. They also offer the potential to predict the response of marine ecosystems to future scenarios and to support the implementation of ecosystem-based management of our seas and ocean. Europe has an excellent capability in Marine Ecosystem Modelling and these are being increasingly used as a tool for ecosystem management. However, there remains a mismatch between scientific research and what policy makers need to know. EMB Future Science Brief 4 examines current state-of-the-art in Europe and beyond and recommends key areas where marine ecosystem modelling capability could be strengthened, including ways to better connect models, observations and societal needs.

This paper looks at the marine science-policy landscape and brings together different policy discussions aimed at the development of a European Ocean Observing System, in the context of AtlantOS and how this relates to wider Atlantic and global policy drivers and existing and emerging wider ocean observation coordination. It has a European focus, looking at proposed mechanisms and components for ocean coordination and governance and the potential contribution of existing organizations and initiatives. The report serves as a reference document for, and contribution to, the European Strategy on Atlantic Ocean Observing and international BluePrint for an integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing System.

Director's Foreward (Daniel Pauly). Preface. Trophic model of the northern Adriatic Sea, an eutrophic and highly exploited ecosystem (A. Barausse, A. Duci, C. Mazzoldi, Y. Artioli and L. Palmeri). Updated ecosystem model for the northern Benguela ecosystem, Namibia (S.J.J. Heymans and U.R. Sumaila). Modelling the food web in the upwelling ecosystem off central Chile (33°S–39°S) in the year 2000 (S. Neira and H. Arancibia). Spatial resources and fishery management framework in the East China Sea (H.Q. Cheng, H. Jiang, H.G. Xu, J. Wu, H. Ding, W. Le Quesne and F. Arreguín-Sánchez). An ecosystem simulation model of the northern Gulf of California (D. Lercari, F. Arreguín-Sánchez and W. Le Quesne). Marine ecosystem analyses in the Gulf of Ulloa, Mexico: BAC meets Ecopath (P. del Monte-Luna,F. Arreguín-Sánchez and D. Lluch-Belda). Trophic model of the ecosystem of La Paz Bay, southern Baja California Peninsula, Mexico (F. Arreguín-Sánchez, P. del Monte-Luna, J.G. Díaz-Uribe, M. Gorostieta, E.A. Chávez and R.Ronzón-Rodríguez). Spatial modelling of the Senegambian ecosystem (B. Samb). A benthic ecosystem model of the Sinaloa continental shelf, Mexico (L.A. Salcido-Guevara and F. Arreguín-Sánchez).

Citizen Science, the involvement of non-scientists of all ages in the scientific process with the potential to educate, inspire, and empower citizens, is increasingly applied in marine research. It is engaging civil society and other stakeholders in decision-making processes when addressing societal challenges. The recent Ocean Literacy movement particularly encourages wider awareness about the ocean’s influence on us, and our influence on the ocean. It is believed that improved Ocean Literacy and greater collaboration and engagement can inspire citizens to modify their perceptions and to change their behaviour to be more environmentally friendly. This wider participation of civil society in research is also a way of empowering citizens to be more engaged in decision- and policy-making at all levels from local to international. Participation in relevant Citizen Science initiatives can also be a direct way for society to engage with and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meta-discipline of Oceans and Human Health (OHH) spans expertise in marine, public health and medical fields, and explores the complex interactions between Ocean Health and Human Health. These interactions can bring negative impacts for both ocean and human health, but they can also deliver significant benefits. This is a relatively new field of research, and is fundamentally interdisciplinary. It is also a topic of huge importance to society as its scope includes many of the grand societal challenges of our time: ensuring food security and safety, reducing the global burden of disease and sustaining human wellbeing, in a context of declining ecosystems functionality and climate change. This topic is also linked to many of the SDGs. The EU Horizon 2020-funded Project SOPHIE (Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe; https://sophie2020.eu/) aims to explore this area in greater detail to provide a vision for Europe and beyond going forward. A key theme within this Project is societal interactions: enabling citizens and experts alike to outline their priorities in relation to OHH, and to input to co-developing knowledge and future strategy in relevant areas. Every person in Europe has a stake in promoting and protecting the benefits to health and wellbeing provided by the marine environment and marine ecosystem services, whether it is high on their agenda or not. SOPHIE ensures that all voices are heard, recognizing that interactions are not restricted to only those who are aware or have a vested interest in OHH, giving everyone an active voice in the dialogues necessary to address these complex issues. Both stakeholder deliberations and Citizen Science will be used within the Project, linking to OHH and to the wider theme of sustainable blue tourism. This paper will expand on the benefits and uses of Citizen Science and diverse stakeholder deliberations in marine applications and interdisciplinary research, as an ideal medium for citizens to interact with the SDGs. It will discuss OHH research as a demonstrator for interdisciplinary solution finding to move towards sustainability, using the SOPHIE work as examples. The paper will close with some hints, tips and recommendations for using these approaches.

The ocean is inextricably linked with the way we live. The EU-funded Horizon 2020 Project SOPHIE (Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe; https://sophie2020.eu/) is establishing the foundations for the future of Oceans and Human Health research in Europe through review, diverse community input, and discussion of strategy, to produce a strategic research agenda for Europe. SOPHIE is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant agreement No. 774567. The meta-discipline of Oceans and Human Health (OHH) spans expertise in the marine, public health and medical fields, and social science, and explores the complex interactions between Ocean Health and Human Health. Key aspects for this field of research is ocean observation, and building the evidence base of data to start drawing concrete links between the impacts of the ocean on human health, and our impacts on ocean health. Only through better understanding of these complex linkages can both the ocean and humans benefit. Identification and strategic monitoring of human-relevant ocean observation variables and indicators are vital first steps. The benefits of doing so could be felt in a wide array of fields, including: food and nutrition, sustainable ocean use, blue tourism and coastal living, climate change and adaptation, marine pollution, disaster risk management, mental health and wellbeing, and blue biotechnology. This will only become more important as we strive to move towards a more sustainable future. The SOPHIE Project is exploring the needs, gaps, benefits and priorities, especially in relation to ocean observing, and will make concrete proposals in a Strategic Research Agenda for Europe; a key project output. These recommendations can contribute to the implementation and future evolution of the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS). Highlighting the direct links to health, daily lives and leisure time might be the draw that society needs to reconnect with the ocean, and strive to protect it better in the future and for future generations. Making ocean observations relevant through clear societal links and accessible through approaches such as citizen science could go a long way to bridging the gap between science and society, and towards bringing ocean observations and their importance to a much wider public. SOPHIE will also further explore these opportunities, by engaging with a wide array of stakeholders in dedicated deliberation exercises, through a large-scale European survey, and through the development of illustrative citizen science projects. This poster presents an overview of the SOPHIE project, its direct relevance to ocean observing and EOOS, and the ways in which the project seeks to identify clear monitoring needs and benefits from engaging with diverse communities.