Integrated modelling tools to support risk-based decision-making in marine spatial management

The implementation of an ecosystem approach to marine spatial management requires practical tools to support risk-based decision-making. We combined a Bayesian Belief Network with a Geographical Information System (GIS) for the spatially explicit quantification of the ecological and economic risks of spatial management options. As an example we assessed the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the North Sea to determine the potential effects of 2 scenarios on the vulnerability of plaice Pleuronectes platessa to fishing, fishing fleets and their revenues...