Operationalising equity in ecosystem-based fisheries management

Equity is increasingly recognised as a critical dimension of sustainable ocean governance, yet operational frameworks for incorporating equity considerations into marine governance remain limited. Fisheries management practices have traditionally concentrated on stock sustainability and commercial extraction, often without fully addressing the broader ecosystem dynamics that underpin fish populations throughout key life stages. This study explores how Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) can support more equitable outcomes by applying a beneficiary-centric natural capital framework to the Celtic Sea and Western Channel Pelagic Fisheries Management Plan. A typology of beneficiaries was developed to assess the distribution of ecosystem service benefits, followed by a quantitative analysis and visualisations of two novel aspects of equity - power and risk. We show that natural capital assets underpin a wide range of benefit flows, with many stakeholders deriving multiple benefits. Notably, we highlight that a focus on wild food provisioning may not fully capture the range of stakeholders benefiting from diverse ecosystem services. The findings highlight disparities in governance influence and exposure to benefit loss, with some groups experiencing limited influence over decision making (power) and high potential for loss of benefits (risk), while others, such as governance bodies, hold greater authority with comparatively lower risk. Consideration of the beneficiaries identified in this study within fisheries management planning could enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of marine governance. This research demonstrates the utility of a natural capital approach for operationalising equity within EBFM and offers a replicable method for visualising stakeholder dynamics in marine policy contexts.