 The DPSIR framework has been widely adopted in the past two decades due to its ability to structure and analyze information in management and decision making. It has been applied to both coastal and marine ecosystems, although more so to European literature. The framework has been criticized for its lack of applicability to fully marine ecosystems, as well as for its oversimplified view of environmental problems. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity regarding the relationship between the different components of the framework, leading to inconsistent interpretations. To address these issues, we propose a more complex, nested model which can better capture the complexity of marine and coastal ecosystems. Furthermore, we suggest that a unifying approach should be taken, especially when implementing holistic regulations. This article was authored by Joanna Patricio, Michael Elliott, Krisha Mazik, and others.