Strengthening European directive for protection of marine environment

ABPmer is part of a consortium to help strengthen the implementation a directive to more effectively protect the marine environment across Europe

The European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008 (MSFD) aims to more effectively protect the marine environment across Europe, while allowing for sustainable use of its resources.

For over a decade, ABPmer has been part of a consortium led by law and policy consultants Milieu (Brussels), to provide support to the European Commission’s Directorate General for Environment (DG ENV) for strengthening the implementation of the MSFD.

Our work includes the assessment of Member States’ reporting of:

• Measures required to achieve or maintain good environmental status in their marine waters

• Updated environmental status assessments, determination of good environmental status and related targets and indicators

Our assessments cover several key ‘descriptors’ for determining good environmental status:

• Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystems

• Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock

• Human-induced eutrophication (excessive growth of algae and macrophytes) is minimised

• Concentrations of contaminants are at levels not giving rise to pollution effects

• Contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption do not exceed levels established by Community legislation or other relevant standards

Recent work has included assessing the adequacy of Member States’ Programmes of Measures, considering whether the revised measures are sufficient to address shortcomings and help achieve Good Environmental Status, and making recommendations for improvements. The European Commission uses these assessments to provide feedback to Member States for improving the implementation of the Directive, and for the reporting required under the Directive.

ABPmer supports policy-makers, regulators and the fisheries and aquaculture industry on marine environmental policy matters, assessment and management, including interactions between fisheries, marine protected areas (MPAs) and other marine developments.

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