Here we propose a novel modelling approach that includes an extended food web in a functional-group-type marine ecosystem model (ECOSMO E2E) by formulating new groups for macrobenthos and fish. This enables the estimation of the dynamics of the higher-trophic-level production potential and constitutes a more consistent closure term for the lower-trophic-level ecosystem. Thus, the model allows for the study of the control mechanisms for marine ecosystems at a high spatial and temporal resolution.