ECOAMARE is funded by the
NWO-NWA Wind op Zee program

Human activities have for centuries impacted the North Sea. Starting with fisheries and trade, these activities expanded to the extraction of oil and gas, military training and sand extraction, amongst other things. Nevertheless, the upscaling of offshore wind puts unprecedented additional pressures on an already busy sea basin. Responding to these pressures requires an understanding of the activities and pressures on the North Sea and how additional pressures may impact the sea further.

Knowledge, then, becomes crucial as an informant for strategic policy making. Nevertheless, such knowledge is not always available, can be disputed or surrounded with uncertainties and how to act upon it may also be contested. ECOAMARE aims to support an inclusive science-policy-society arrangement as a basis for stakeholders to co-produce knowledge and support its uptake in strategic decision-making.

Specifically, ECOAMARE identifies stakeholders’ different values, interests, perspectives, worldviews and ways of knowing in relation to the future of the North Sea. This results in a better understanding of shared knowledge needs of e.g. scientists, policy makers, societal actors, users. Furthermore, ECOAMERE analyzes barriers and opportunities for knowledge uptake and knowledge co-production so as to identify conditions for improved knowledge co-production and uptake.

Central to ECOAMARE is to follow an ecosystem-based management approach. Such an approach, however, is without an explicit or agreed upon understanding. While it is clear that an ecosystem-based management approach the complexity and interspecies relationship within ecological systems, questions remain upon the degree in which it includes social and governance objectives and how to operationalize it.

ECOAMARE explores the meanings, interpretations and perspectives that come together in both interpreting ecological values and how these may interact with other societal values. ECOAMARE aims to better understand what an ecosystem-based management approach could mean, but also how this aligns with existing or future policies. This includes a study of key uncertainties in what is known and not known about the ecosystem. This is complemented with analyzing how existing policies upon evaluating and responding to ecological impacts of human activities do or do not align with various understanding of an ecosystem-based management approach.

Key elements that are studied include the degree in which the current focus on evaluating legally protected species and habitats aligns with seeing an ecosystem as an interrelated and complex system. In this, advancing the use of best available knowledge upon cumulative environmental impacts serves as a key starting point to better represent ecosystem-based thinking in policy making. Secondly, the consideration of abiotic impacts, such as the mixing of the water column and sediments also needs further analysis. Finally, the ways in which policies currently consider possible synergies, such as in the form of nature inclusive building, is a key activity for ECOAMARE.

Knowledge, then, becomes crucial as an informant for strategic policy making. Nevertheless, such knowledge is not always available, can be disputed or surrounded with uncertainties and how to act upon it may also be contested. ECOAMARE aims to support an inclusive science-policy-society arrangement as a basis for stakeholders to co-produce knowledge and support its uptake in strategic decision-making.

Specifically, ECOAMARE identifies stakeholders’ different values, interests, perspectives, worldviews and ways of knowing in relation to the future of the North Sea. This results in a better understanding of shared knowledge needs of e.g. scientists, policy makers, societal actors, users. Furthermore, ECOAMERE analyzes barriers and opportunities for knowledge uptake and knowledge co-production so as to identify conditions for improved knowledge co-production and uptake.

In being among the busiest sea basins on the planet, the North Sea faces severe spatial congestion. Unlocking space for offshore wind will inevitably create additional spatial conflict and forces trade-offs between values and interested to be made. In response, ECOAMARE firstly maps and analyzes spatial claims exerted by different offshore sea uses and ecological valuable areas. Furthermore, existing and potential future synergies between wind energy and other (non)uses are analyzed, as well as strategies to cope with conflicts. This information forms the basis for a scenario study to support possible strategic choice making.

Fueled by stakeholder input and discussion, scenarios are developed to identify trade-offs between offshore interests and (non)uses. The scenarios do not present future states to choose from, but ensure differences between possible ‘what if’ futures are made clear that allow for analyzing trade-offs between various interests and values. The use of a novel GIS-based decision-support helps map conflicts, synergies and such trade-offs. These trade-offs will be analyzed not only economically, but also on their spatial and ecological impact.

Knowledge, then, becomes crucial as an informant for strategic policy making. Nevertheless, such knowledge is not always available, can be disputed or surrounded with uncertainties and how to act upon it may also be contested. ECOAMARE aims to support an inclusive science-policy-society arrangement as a basis for stakeholders to co-produce knowledge and support its uptake in strategic decision-making.

Specifically, ECOAMARE identifies stakeholders’ different values, interests, perspectives, worldviews and ways of knowing in relation to the future of the North Sea. This results in a better understanding of shared knowledge needs of e.g. scientists, policy makers, societal actors, users. Furthermore, ECOAMERE analyzes barriers and opportunities for knowledge uptake and knowledge co-production so as to identify conditions for improved knowledge co-production and uptake.

ECOAMARE considers that joint learning and collaboration between stakeholders and scientists can bring lasting change in creating a network of stakeholders that share and discuss knowledge. Hence, central to our approach is to utilize joint exploration and learning. These are to both support achieving knowledge uptake and evidence-based, inclusive and strategic decision-making regarding offshore wind energy development. In response, stakeholder inclusion is essential in most of ECOAMARE’s research work.

Stakeholder inclusion in ECOAMARE starts with analysing stakeholder challenges, opportunities and views. Understanding stakeholders (planners, decisionmakers, sectors and other users) perspectives and ways of knowing of the North Sea system is essential for realizing successful outcomes of ECOAMARE. Workshops and interviews allow for identifying how stakeholders view the North Sea and its future. Furthermore, they allow for identifying knowledge needs to adapt our work to. Finally, also the various meanings and understanding regarding key concepts like an ecosystem-based management approach and carrying capacity form a key input to ECOAMARE.

The development of spatial scenarios for the North Sea are directly fuelled through stakeholder inclusion. The potential trade-offs between various interest and values are subsequently discussed and interpreted with stakeholders to identify viable, realistic and desired futures. Through the Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathway approach, stakeholders are empowered and included in discussion on how such futures may be achieved and which key choices are needed.

Knowledge, then, becomes crucial as an informant for strategic policy making. Nevertheless, such knowledge is not always available, can be disputed or surrounded with uncertainties and how to act upon it may also be contested. ECOAMARE aims to support an inclusive science-policy-society arrangement as a basis for stakeholders to co-produce knowledge and support its uptake in strategic decision-making.

Specifically, ECOAMARE identifies stakeholders’ different values, interests, perspectives, worldviews and ways of knowing in relation to the future of the North Sea. This results in a better understanding of shared knowledge needs of e.g. scientists, policy makers, societal actors, users. Furthermore, ECOAMERE analyzes barriers and opportunities for knowledge uptake and knowledge co-production so as to identify conditions for improved knowledge co-production and uptake.

Policy advice as an outcome of ECOAMARE is supported by various of its other research tasks. Nevertheless, ECOAMARE also includes a designated effort to examine how legal and governance frameworks constrain or may support the development of strategic policies offshore. For one, there is an important role for legal analysis. To better assess future possibilities for the development of the North Sea, ECOAMARE will analyze the possibilities and bottlenecks of the current regulatory framework. These include key legal frameworks such as OSPAR,  EU law and policy (e.g. Natura 2000, Renewable Energy Directive, Regulation on EU Nature Restoration), and the national transposition, interpretation and application of such frameworks. A comparative analysis of legal frameworks between countries will further help identify possible new ways of interpreting and applying the existing legal framework.

Secondly, and complementary to a legal analysis is an institutional study into how various (sectoral) policies align and support or constrain the pursuit of synergies and conflict resolution between OWFs and other offshore (non)uses. Here our ambition is to assess relationships within and between established institutions (the ‘rules of the game’) and actors' ideas, interpretations and deliberations regarding these institutions (the ‘play of the game’).

Finally, ECOAMARE co-designs proposals to amend legal and governance frameworks. This task builds upon the outcomes of many other activities and comes with concrete proposals. These include proposals for amending legal frameworks, improved policy alignment, the uptake of knowledge in decision making and stakeholder inclusion. Proposals will be co-created through a series of transdisciplinary workshops, based on input from the practice of key stakeholders and project collaborators.

Knowledge, then, becomes crucial as an informant for strategic policy making. Nevertheless, such knowledge is not always available, can be disputed or surrounded with uncertainties and how to act upon it may also be contested. ECOAMARE aims to support an inclusive science-policy-society arrangement as a basis for stakeholders to co-produce knowledge and support its uptake in strategic decision-making.

Specifically, ECOAMARE identifies stakeholders’ different values, interests, perspectives, worldviews and ways of knowing in relation to the future of the North Sea. This results in a better understanding of shared knowledge needs of e.g. scientists, policy makers, societal actors, users. Furthermore, ECOAMERE analyzes barriers and opportunities for knowledge uptake and knowledge co-production so as to identify conditions for improved knowledge co-production and uptake.

To support a culture of joint exploration and learning, ECOAMARE utilizes and improves various existing tools and approaches for decision support. Next to the Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathway approach, is the further expansion of a tool to identify, evaluate and map conflicts between offshore uses and values. This Conflict and Synergy Mapping tool means to help stakeholders understand the contested space offshore and support a evidence-based discussion of trade-offs and choices.

As cumulative environmental impact remains problematic to identify, visualize and discuss, ECOAMARE also uses the SCAIRM tool for capturing such impact. A core ambition is for the SCAIRM tool to be used in the consideration of various future scenarios for the North Sea. Rather than targeting specific ecological risks related to distinct activities, specifies or habitats, SCAIRM can support a broader holistic approach to pursue ecosystem-based management.

Finally, ECOAMARE uses three distinct cases to allow for an in-depth study of current practices. Firstly, nature enhancement is analysed in a practical setting to explores conditions for inclusive and integrative design and decision-making processes Secondly, a study of bird sensitive operation and mantanance can show how different conflict resolution and mediation strategies can be applied in a practical sense in the spatial and technical design, use and maintenance of offshore wind farms regarding birds. Thirdly, the recent tender processes for the Hollandse Kust West (HKW) project are studied. This means to uncover how changes in the tendering process impact the development, uptake and use of ecological knowledge in the process of designing and developing the windfarms

Secondly, and complementary to a legal analysis is an institutional study into how various (sectoral) policies align and support or constrain the pursuit of synergies and conflict resolution between OWFs and other offshore (non)uses. Here our ambition is to assess relationships within and between established institutions (the ‘rules of the game’) and actors' ideas, interpretations and deliberations regarding these institutions (the ‘play of the game’).

Finally, ECOAMARE co-designs proposals to amend legal and governance frameworks. This task builds upon the outcomes of many other activities and comes with concrete proposals. These include proposals for amending legal frameworks, improved policy alignment, the uptake of knowledge in decision making and stakeholder inclusion. Proposals will be co-created through a series of transdisciplinary workshops, based on input from the practice of key stakeholders and project collaborators.

Knowledge, then, becomes crucial as an informant for strategic policy making. Nevertheless, such knowledge is not always available, can be disputed or surrounded with uncertainties and how to act upon it may also be contested. ECOAMARE aims to support an inclusive science-policy-society arrangement as a basis for stakeholders to co-produce knowledge and support its uptake in strategic decision-making.

Specifically, ECOAMARE identifies stakeholders’ different values, interests, perspectives, worldviews and ways of knowing in relation to the future of the North Sea. This results in a better understanding of shared knowledge needs of e.g. scientists, policy makers, societal actors, users. Furthermore, ECOAMERE analyzes barriers and opportunities for knowledge uptake and knowledge co-production so as to identify conditions for improved knowledge co-production and uptake.