Ecosystem services valuation and fisheries economics to inform marine spatial planning

Marine and coastal ecosystems provide essential ecosystem services that support the functioning of socio-ecological systems, thereby sustaining economic activities and underpinning human well-being. However, the intensification of maritime uses and the growing pressures on marine environments call for governance frameworks and supporting approaches aimed at reconciling ecological sustainability with socio-economic development. In this context, recognizing and valuing the multiple benefits provided by marine and coastal resources and activities represents a key step toward strengthening the evidence base for policy formulation, management, and planning processes. This thesis set out to bridge the gap between ecological science, economics, and marine governance by developing approaches that are both methodologically feasible and policy-relevant, with the overarching goal of making the contribution of marine and coastal resources and activities visible in management and decision-making. The research combined ecosystem services valuation and fisheries economics to strengthen the integration of both market and non-market values to inform Marine Spatial Planning. Chapter 1 presents a systematic review of the economic valuation of marine and coastal ecosystem services, revealing key research clusters and methodological challenges that limit their policy uptake. Chapter 2 estimates the market and non-market contributions of mussel aquaculture through the Total Economic Value framework, providing novel evidence on the multifunctionality of aquaculture and its cultural relevance. Chapter 3 investigates public preferences for the extension and management of Marine Protected Areas in three case studies in Italy, offering insights for designing conservation measures that are socially acceptable and context-specific. Chapter 4 develops a novel spatially explicit Bayesian Network modelling framework to assess the direct economic effects of conservation measures and offshore wind farms on fisheries, contributing to the assessment of trade-offs and co-benefits under alternative planning scenarios. Overall, the thesis provides an integrated economic perspective that advances policy-relevant approaches consistent with key European Union sustainability objectives.