National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Integrated Ecosystem Assessments (IEA) are an approach to Ecosystem-Based Management. This approach integrates all components of an ecosystem, including humans, into the decision-making process so that managers can balance trade-offs and determine what is more likely to achieve their desired goals. The IEA approach is a NOAA-wide initiative that provides a consistent national framework but is also flexible to accommodate regional needs. It is overseen by the IEA program, which directs the execution of Integrated Ecosystem Assessments within five regions in the United States ocean and coastal ecosystems.