Science and Policy Integration for Coastal System Assessment (SPICOSA) An Application to a Mussels Fishery

The overall objective of SPICOSA is to develop a self-evolving, holistic research approach for integrated assessment of Coastal Systems so that the best available scientific knowledge can be mobilized to support deliberative and decision-making processes aimed at improving the sustainability of Coastal Systems by implementing Integrated Coastal Zone Management policies. Based on a system approach, a multidisciplinary assessment framework is developed with a balanced consideration of the Ecological, Social and Economic sectors of Coastal Systems. This System Approach Framework (SAF) is used to explore the dynamics of Coastal-Zone Systems and potential consequences of alternative policy scenarios. Achieving this objective requires a restructuring of the science needed to understand the interactions between complex natural and social systems at different spatial and temporal scales including the overall economic evaluation of alternative policies. Furthermore, SPICOSA contributes to a more integrated science-policy interface, by developing and testing deliberation support tools for the transfer of scientific products to policy decision-makers, stakeholders, and end-users. The SAF and its tools are implemented in 18 coastal Study Site Applications, from Norway to Romania. A SAF Portfolio consisting of generic assessment methodologies, specific tools, models, and new knowledge useful for ICZM, will be produced in a user-friendly and updateable manner for future CZ researchers and professionals. Implementation design is based on an iterative, accumulative manner such that all of its products will be well validated and that community of researchers will grow along with the evolution of the SAF methodology for future use towards Sustainable Development in coastal zones.