Mapping wild seafood potential, supply, flow and demand in Lithuania

Area of Science:

• Marine ecology and ecosystem services assessment.
• Socio-economic analysis of natural resource provision.

Background:

• Mapping marine ecosystem services (MES) in Europe remains challenging due to ecological complexity and resource limitations.
• Existing studies on wild seafood provision primarily use qualitative, expert-based methods, lacking quantitative spatial assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply new methodological frameworks for quantitatively mapping the components of the marine ecosystem service cascade model for wild seafood provision.
• To identify spatial patterns of wild seafood potential, supply, flow, and demand within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Main Methods:

• Development of quantitative mapping frameworks for each stage of the wild seafood provision cascade model.
• Spatial analysis integrating biological (e.g., sediments) and anthropogenic (e.g., shipping) factors for potential and supply.
• Mapping of seafood flow using commercial and retail locations, and demand using population density, tourism, and consumption data.

Main Results:

• High potential for wild seafood provision identified in European coastal areas, contrasting with offshore EEZ regions.
• Wild seafood supply is concentrated in the central EEZ, influenced by factors like sediments and shipping.
• Seafood flow and demand are highest in urban and coastal areas due to commercial activity and population density.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative mapping of all wild seafood provision components is crucial for understanding dynamics and trade-offs.
• The study highlights data needs and informs decision-makers on achieving sustainable wild seafood provision.
• Findings support the integration of spatial ecosystem service data into coastal community socio-economic planning.