Quantifying Marine Ecosystem Performance (MEsP): the development of a science-based business tool for sustainable offshore development
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2026
Authors:
A. Boerema
Abstract
Sustainable development of the blue economy requires businesses to understand and manage their impacts and dependencies on marine ecosystems. However, unlike terrestrial sectors, marine industries lack standardized tools to assess environmental performance in relation to ecosystem services and natural capital. The Marine Ecosystem Performance Quantification (MEsP) project addresses this need to quantify impacts on the marine ecosystem. This is a collaboration of three Flemish companies: IMDC, Arcadis and fks. The first MEsP tool (MEsP 1.0) enables companies to assess both negative pressures and positive contributions to marine ecosystems, including opportunities for nature-inclusive design. It incorporates a tailored set of state and pressure indicators relevant to offshore activities, an inventory of accessible marine data, and a performance assessment methodology. The methodology includes a scoring system that aligns corporate performance with the current ecological status and local marine objectives. A key innovation is the development of a demo-tool architecture that supports diverse data types and quantification methods, tailored to offshore business needs. The second generation of the MEsP tool (MEsP 2.0) is currently under construction and will provide a tiered-approach with the choice for a rapid semi-quantitative assessment (Tier 1) or detailed quantified assessment (Tier 2). The framework also incorporates cumulative and indirect effects, offering a more holistic view of ecosystem functioning and business performance. Validation is foreseen through expert workshops and a hypothetical test case relevant for the Belgian part of the North Sea, ensuring the tool's relevance and usability for offshore constructors and suppliers of nature-inclusive design solutions. During the presentation we want to highlight the progress and future ambitions of this framework. It will be an opportunity to share our planning and invite CEDA members to join our validation group in the next two years.