CATCH: A Method for Structured Discussions and a Tool for Decision Support

Human activities have led to the overexploitation and pollution of water resources. The Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EG) has been created to ensure the sustainable use of and impact on water resources. An explicit component in achieving the goals outlined in the WFD is the participation of stakeholders in the management of these resources. Involving stakeholders is an important step to ensure that catchment management plans take into consideration local experience in the development of these plans and the impact of the plans on local interests. Water resource stakeholders have different sets of preferences. For example, some stakeholders may be interested in the use of water resources for recreational purposes, while other stakeholders may use water for food production or as a recipient for waste products. These various services provided by water resources demand different qualities and quantities of water; in many instances, these interests may be conflicting where the provision of one particular service quality or quantity precludes the provision of other services (1, 2). Implementation of the WFD is now on the agenda for national authorities in EU member states. One of many the questions that arise are related to how the mandated management plans may achieve the socioeconomic and ecological sustainable use of water resources and at the same time promote stakeholder participation in management decisions. Several studies have found that knowledge with respect to both the resource and the action of other interest groups leads to a more sustainable use of the resource (3, 4). An open dialogue among stakeholders may resolve potential areas of conflicts between interest groups before they become a problem. The decision support tool CATCH is a model for structuring a dialogue as a method for stakeholder participation in the management process. This discussion of issues in strategic settings facilitates implementation of the WFD at a catchment level (5, 6).