Marine Strategy Framework Directive: Marine Strategy Framework Directive:

Marine Litter Marine Litter MMonitoringonitoring

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Nigel SmitNigel Smit

Policy Policy OfficerOfficer

Marine Marine EnvironmentEnvironment and Water Industries Unitand Water Industries Unit

DG DG EnvironmentEnvironment, European Commission, European Commission

The Marine DirectiveThe Marine Directive

EU’s legal instrument for the protection of our seasEU’s legal instrument for the protection of our seas

MSFD Implementation StepsMSFD Implementation Steps

The final objective: Good Environmental

Status

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Status

How to get there: Targets

Point of departure: initial assessment

• Often imprecise determination of GES/targets: makes enforceability difficult

• Confusion between Art. 9 (GES) and Art. 10

Conclusions Art. 12 report (COM(2014) 97)Conclusions Art. 12 report (COM(2014) 97)

• Confusion between Art. 9 (GES) and Art. 10 (targets), limited link to Art. 8 (assessment)

• Most MS refer to existing policies and standards: usually no additional ambition

• Limited coherence within marine regions and no coherence across EU

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MS reporting on Descriptor 10MS reporting on Descriptor 10

• Some targets set (beach litter, biota)

• BUT, lack of • BUT, lack of comprehensive baseline

• Knock-on impact for PoMs

• JRC-led guidance will helpAvailability of data in Member

States for an assessment of litter pressures on coastlines

Recommendations at EU levelRecommendations at EU level

• Review/revision for improved GES definition

• Towards a common understanding on Article 9 obligations, and assessment approaches obligations, and assessment approaches (assessment methods and scales, aggregation rules)

• Review Annex III to ensure more coherent/ consistent approach in the future

• Develop efficient data sharing information system

Recommendations at regional levelRecommendations at regional level

• Stimulate further coordination at regional or sub-regional level between EU MS in the region

• Align the timetables and assessment • Align the timetables and assessment methodologies of the regional assessments

• Region- and ecosystem-specific criteria for GES, (especially where no EU legislation exists)

• Joint initiatives to identify and close knowledge and data gaps

Article 11 of MSFD provides legally binding requirements

MSFD Implementation StepsMSFD Implementation Steps

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legally binding requirements for Member States to establish and implement coordinated monitoring programmes for the on-going assessment of the environmental status of EU waters.

The Seven RecommendationsThe Seven Recommendations

• Recommendation 1: The core purpose for the establishment and implementation of coordinated monitoring programmes is the "on-going monitoring programmes is the "on-going assessment of the environmental status" and related environmental targets in accordance with the MSFD strategies and management cycles. All other elements of Article 11 (1) and (2) and Annex V are detailed specifications or conditions.

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• Recommendation 2: The monitoring programmes have to be "coordinated", "compatible", "coherent", "consistent" and "comparable".

• Recommendation 3: Build upon and integrate as much as possible, existing well-established monitoring programmes and relevant guidance under Habitats and Birds Directives, the Water Framework Directive and other relevant EU legislation, as well as under Regional Sea Conventions and other international agreements.

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• Recommendation 4: Data and information resulting from the monitoring programmes should be made available in a comparable format and for interoperable use and feed into the "Marine Knowledge 2020" process. Knowledge 2020" process.

[See Commission Communication on Blue Innovation]

• Recommendation 5: Monitoring programmes need to be adaptive to enable appropriate reaction on e.g. changes in the marine environment, new understanding and emerging issues. 11

• Recommendation 6: Linking monitoring to assessment needs, including the use of risk-based approach as basis of a flexible monitoring design.

• Recommendation 7: Take account of the differences in scientific understanding for each descriptor in the monitoring programmes and apply the precautionary principle.

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3 pilot projects: new 3 pilot projects: new knowledge for an integrated knowledge for an integrated

management of human activity in the seamanagement of human activity in the sea

13* Would welcome participation from Slovenia, Croatia, Malta, France

Riverine litter monitoringRiverine litter monitoring

• Identify existing riverine litter monitoring

programs

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programs

• Propose common monitoring/analysis approach

for plastic particles in different EU rivers;

• Identify amount, types and sources of marine

litter in 4 European rivers

Forthcoming callForthcoming call

• "Best practice for action plans to develop:

• integrated, regional monitoring programmes;

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• coordinated programmes of measures; and

• addressing data and knowledge gaps…"

• Call will be launched in second half of 2014

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/marine

Thank you for your attention! Thank you for your attention!