1. Draft Article 8 MSFD assessment guidance
Suzannah Walmsley
WG GES, 6 December 2016

2. Overview
Document preparation
Current status
Outstanding issues
Descriptor-specific integration approaches

3. Document preparation Integration of assessment results
Developed throughout 2016, alongside revision of Commission Decision on GES – many iterations!
Workshop April 2016
Draft integration approaches presented to WG GES in June
MS comments (BE, DE, DK, FR, IT, MT, PT, UK, HELCOM)
Document updated
Address MS comments
Update in line with approved COM Dec
Improve consistency of Descriptor approaches
Editorial improvements
Circulated to DG GES (DE comments)

4. Current status Draft – expected to evolve further in 2017
Finalised as far as possible to provide a working document that RSCs and MS can test for 2018 assessments
Outstanding issues flagged (grey boxes)
Consistent with MSCG-approved revised COM Dec
Allows integration methods to be taken forward in future processes for some Descriptors
Introduction (sections 1 & 2) for further development
Descriptor approaches harmonised
Visualising assessment results
Draft ideas
Reporting requirements to be discussed by DIKE

5. Outstanding issues
Introductory sections (1 & 2) to be further developed (inputs from DG GES)
Integration methods to be agreed for some descriptors/criteria – either at regional or subregional level, or at Union level
The guidance proposes interim approaches
Descriptor-specific issues:
D5, D8, D1 Species, D1/6 Habitats
Visualising assessment results
D5 – WFD integration methods in coastal areas based on MSFD criteria and linking with MSFD offshore waters. Methodologies for D5 criteria to contribute to D1 pelagic and benthic habitats (to be developed at Union level)
D8 – C1: Grouping of substances, matrices; C2-C4: use in assessment of GES for D8; definition of ‘significant’ events
D1 Species: integration methods for species approach, aggregation or downscaling approaches
D1 Habitats: detailed approaches to integration and links between the different elements required further development, cumulative pressures

6. Thank you for your attention
Suzannah Walmsley
+44 (0)

7. D5 (p32) Outstanding issues:
Integration methods beyond coastal waters to be agreed.
WFD integration methods in coastal areas based on MSFD offshore criteria.
Linking WFD coastal areas with MSFD offshore areas.
Methodologies for criteria to contribute to D1/D6 habitats assessments.

8. D8 (p53) Outstanding issues: D8C1: grouping of substances; matrices.
D8C2: Use in overall assessment of GES for D8.
D8C3: Use in overall assessment of GES for D8. Definition of ‘significant’.
D8C4: Use in overall assessment of GES for D8. Definition of ‘significant’ cumulative effects.

9. D1 – Species (General) (p79)
Outstanding issues:
Some integration methods for particular integration levels and species types are still to be agreed at Union level, taking into account regional or subregional specificities.
May require further technical work.
Where aggregation or down-scaling of assessments is necessary, this is likely to require further testing.

10. D6 (p39) Outstanding issues:
Issues raised at MS workshop; some addressed by COM Dec, others require further consideration e.g.
How to take account of habitat restoration;
Inclusion of qualitative assessments;

11. D1&6 – Benthic habitats (p118)
Outstanding issues:
Integration methods proposed are in line with COM Dec.
MS Workshop group concluded further work was required, e.g. Cumulative pressures; integration of all physical pressure sub-types.

12. D2 (p18) Outstanding issues:
The role of, and associated assessment methods for, D2C2 and D2C3 in the assessment of D2 and D1 require further clarification.

13. D3 (p25) Outstanding issues:
Lack of data for criterion D3C3. The integration method for D3C3 (if more than one indicator is used) still needs to be determined in conjunction with finalising and operationalising the assessment tools for D3C3 based on forthcoming ICES advice.

14. D7 (p45) Outstanding issues:
Linking WFD assessments with MSFD assessments (scales)

15. D9 (p60)
Outstanding issues:
None identified.

16. D10 (p66) Outstanding issues:
Integration methods to be agreed (inc. Whether distribution needs to be integrated with composition of litter, and whether different matrices need to be integrated)

17. D11 (p71) Outstanding issues:
Integration method (level 2) needs to be agreed.
Use of criteria to be agreed at Union level.

18. D1 – Birds (p83) Outstanding issues: Integration methods to be agreed.
Joint OSPAR/HELCOM/ ICES Expert Group on Seabirds may be able to provide input.

19. D1 – Mammals (p90) Outstanding issues:
Integration method for species to species group to be agreed.

20. D1 – Reptiles (p94) Outstanding issues:
Integration method for species to species group to be agreed.

21. D1 – Fish (p99) Outstanding issues:
Integration methods to be agreed for non-commercially exploited, non-HD species.
Integration method for species to species group to be agreed.

22. D1 – Cephalopods (p103) Outstanding issues:
Integration methods to be agreed.

23. D1 – Pelagic habitats (p109)
Outstanding issues:
Integration methods to be agreed, further consideration required.

24. D4 (p126) Outstanding issues:
Integration methods require further dicussion (no interim approach provided in the guidance).