Considering the sea resources supply and regulate a series of goods and services (e. g. rainwater, drinking water, climate, food, air and water oxygenation), the DGs, Agenda 2030 goal 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources as a key feature of a sustainable future. In 2016, the first World Ocean Assessment stated that most of the oceans is now seriously degraded, with change in structure, functions and benefits from marine systems. Meanwhile, the earth surface warming due to anthropic impacts and climate change is one of the driving causes of loss of oxygen from oceans and eutrophisation. During the past 50 years, the open oceans have been losing approximately 1% of oxygen, while the extension of oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) has been quadrupling, covering an area approximately the size of the Europe. The IPCC 5th Assessment Report forecasts a gradual decrease of oxygen concentration, by 3-6% during the 21th century, which is detrimental to several marine organisms and terrestrial ecosystems too. Conversely, well-oxygenated oceans and coastal waters provide regulating and supporting services. The Ecosystem Services (ES) are good and services but also conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems sustain and fulfill human life. The deoxygenation damages goods and services delivered by marine ecosystems to humans. In the context of integrated and transdisciplinary ES framework, which combines ecological, economic and social dimensions, four forms of assets (built, human, social and natural) contribute to human well-being through synergies and trade-offs. As supported by the United Nations Decade for Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030 ? the study of ocean responses to pressures and management actions, through different methods and tools, is a key element for sustainable development. The EU DIRECTIVE 2014/89/UE established a framework for developing of maritime space and integrated management of coastal areas, through which maritime spatial planning is an useful tool for the sustainable use of sea and coastal resources. In particular, the guidelines aim at developing different maritime activities, managing conflicts among different stakeholders, and finally ensuring a good state of ecosystems. Since a complete and structured knowledge is the first step to conceive strategies for a sustainable management of the marine areas, increasing investments in this sector is crucial. In Italy, the 1.3% of Research and Development (R&D) funds have been allocated for the oceanographic research, nevertheless a gap of knowledge about the complex phenomena affecting the marine and coastal areas remains. The contribution aims at investigating the relevance of the aforementioned issues within the European policy for coastal zones management, sustainable planning and complex decision-making, by adopting a multi-dimensional assessment approach. The research field, which has been applying the evaluation as an approach for protection of natural capital and ecosystem services since the end of the 20th century, aids decision makers identifying management and knowledge models towards a sustainable use of ES.