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Integrated assessment requires examination of factors across biological hierarchies, taxonomic groups, ocean-use sectors, management objectives, and scientific disciplines. The articles in this theme set represent attempts to clarify and elaborate upon what integrated assessments are, with a particular emphasis on how they are being implemented. The aimofthisthemedarticlesetistoclarifytheuseofintegratedassessment terminology and demonstrate, by presenting case studies, examples in which integrated ecosystem assessments serve as useful tools to implement ecosystem-based management (EBM) while also identifying challenges that must be overcome for this to succeed. In theory, EBM seeks to address the various natural and anthropogenic pressures faced by the key components of marine systems simultaneously. EBM also attempts to account for “cumulative impacts” that might otherwise be overlooked …