Advancing marine ecosystem modelling for Copernicus Marine Service
The latest NECCTON report marks a major step forward in developing higher trophic level (HTL) models — representing fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals — to support marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable food resource management.
These new models fill a long-standing gap in the Copernicus Marine Service, where such products were not previously available. They align closely with UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water, and provide the foundations for fish stock assessments that inform the EU Common Fisheries Policy.
Developed across NECCTON’s European consortium, the report brings together a diverse suite of models — from ecosystem biomass and species distribution to population dynamics — now integrated with lower trophic level (LTL) models. Together, they offer a more connected, spatially detailed, and realistic picture of marine ecosystems across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, Arctic, and Bay of Biscay.
By improving the representation of trophic interactions, migration, and fishing impacts, NECCTON is paving the way for future operational Copernicus HTL products — strengthening Europe’s ability to monitor, manage, and protect marine life.
Read full report here
