Researchers have started using computer game technology to improve long-term planning of fisheries management.

CSIRO scientist Beth Fulton, an ecosystem modeller with CSIRO’s Wealth from Oceans Flagship program in Hobart, transformed the unique Atlantis marine ecosystem modelling program to a “scientific version” of popular city-creation computer game, SimCity.

The objective is to feed in all the real-world factors that influence the sustainability of marine ecosystems and their fisheries to better predict the long-term impacts – before any unintended damage is done – of proposed regulatory, policy or climatic changes.

“It is based on real people, real data and real life interactions; but in our make-believe ‘real’ world we can make mistakes about the future without affecting a fishery,” says Beth Fulton.