Multiple-Use Management Strategy Evaluation for Coastal Marine Ecosystems Using InVitro

A.D. McDonald, E. Fulton, L.R. Little, R. Gray, K.J. Sainsbury and V.D. Lyne

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Methods
InVitro
Environments
Ecology
Fisheries
Other human sectors
Management of the Australian NWS regional ecosystem
Results
Fisheries management
Contamination
Coastal development—capacity and shipping traffic
Conservation implications
Conclusions
References

Abstract

The Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) framework has been applied in a multiple-use setting to demonstrate practical science-based methods that support integrated regional planning and management of coastal and marine ecosystems. Multiple-use MSE has, so far, focused on 4 sectors: oil and gas, conservation, fisheries and coastal development. For each sector a selection of development scenarios, provided by the relevant interest groups, is represented. These scenarios include prospective future sectoral activities and their impacts, and the sectoral response to management policy and strategies. The agent-based modelling software InVitro is well placed for analysing prospective social and ecological impacts of multiple-use management strategies in a risk-assessment framework such as MSE. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the tradeoffs that can be recognised and quantified using the MSE framework. The example explores the implications of a change in management strategy. This change not only has a direct impact on the targeted sectors, but also indirect impacts, including surprises.