Abstract
The purpose of this report is to set out a decision support system focused on socio-economic analysis aimed at enabling conservation of marine ecosystems and human health in the Northeast Atlantic. The report reviews methods for economic assessment, economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services, and provides case studies for marine and coastal ecosystem benefits/services valuation and fisheries and shipping services assessments. The socio-economic methods and techniques set out in this report can contribute to the protection of the marine environment and the sustainable use of the seas by identifying economically efficient and cost effective policy options (i.e. projects, policies, programmes and courses of action).