The Simple SES approach is centred around defining stakeholder-driven focus issues, thereby facilitating targeted environmental and economic improvements in marine ecosystems which are holistically designed (Gregory et al., 2023). Working in three phases with various attached exercises, a practitioner will assess the focal circumstances/issue to set a foundation for their investigation; they will gather the relevant information and data needed to assess the social-ecological system; and use this information to make informed decisions, at the level of governance they intended to influence the system, through a Programme of Measures (PoM). The PoM is an integral part of implementing the relevant marine quality directives; these include the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Water Framework Directive, the Birds and Habitats Directive, and the Habitats and Species Directive. In the marine environment, the Marine Spatial Planning Directive is regarded as part of the PoM for implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.