1. Anna Donald Marine Planning and Strategy Marine Scotland
Marine Strategy Framework Directive Consultation on Good Environmental Status Background and Introduction
Anna Donald
Marine Planning and Strategy
Marine Scotland

2. What this presentation will cover
Introduction to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Brief explanation of the links to other policies
Introduction to the consultation

3. Aims of the Directive?
Put in place measures to achieve Good Environmental Status in Europe’s seas by 2020
Ecologically diverse and dynamic oceans and seas which are clean, healthy and productive within their intrinsic conditions.
Use of the marine environment is sustainable - safeguarding the potential for uses and activities by current and future generations
protect and preserve the marine environment, prevent its deterioration or, where practicable, restore marine ecosystems;
prevent and reduce inputs in the marine environment, with a view to phasing out pollution
apply an ecosystem-based approach
determined at the level of the marine region or subregion.

4. Timeline
2010: Transposition into UK legislation – Scottish Ministers as competent authority for Scottish waters
2012: Initial assessment; determination of GES; targets and indicators
2014: Monitoring programme
2015: Devise programme of measures
2016: Implement programme of measures
2018: Review process
2020: Measures in place to achieve or maintain GES

5. Exceptions
There are some legitimate reasons why GES might not be achieved by 2020:
Modifications of marine waters for reasons of overriding public interest;
Action or inaction for which a Member State isn’t responsible;
Natural conditions don’t allow GES to be achieved by 2020.
Not required to take measures to achieve GES if the cost of doing so is disproportionate taking into account risks to marine environment.

6. Where does MSFD apply?

7. Descriptors of GES (Annex 1 of MSFD)
No.
Descriptor 1
Biological diversity maintained 2
Non-indigenous species 3
Commercial fish & shellfish 4
Food-webs 5
Eutrophication 6
Sea-floor integrity 7
Hydrography 8
Contaminants 9
Contaminants in seafood 10
Litter 11
Energy, incl. underwater noise

8. GES = Sustainable Use Ecosystem State Pressures Pristine Science
Society
Ecosystem State
GES fits well with our existing vision of clean, healthy, safe and biologically diverse sea.
It is not about achieving a pristine marine environment – it is consistent with sustainable use of our seas by current and future generations.
The challenge for us in setting targets for GES is describing what sustainable use means in practice.
Science can’t give us all the answers – might be able to define what pristine state looks like and the limits beyond which the ecosystem won’t be able to recover, but may not be able to define sustainable use – this is something that involves societal judgement as well as science.
Destroyed
None
High
Pressures 8

9. Regional co-operation (within OSPAR for UK)
Member States sharing a marine region must co-operate to ensure a coherent and coordinated approach to implementation
MARINE REGIONS
The Baltic Sea
The North East Atlantic Ocean
The Mediterranean Sea
The Black Sea
Celtic Seas
Greater North Sea

10. Regional co-ordination to date
STRONG COORDINATION
POTENTIAL FOR STRONG FUTURE COORDINATION
LESS PROGRESS ON COORDINATION
Commercial fish and shellfish (Descriptor 3)
Biodiversity (Descriptor 1)
Changes to hydrographical conditions (Descriptor 7)
Minimising eutrophication (Descriptor 5)
Impacts of non-indigenous species (Descriptor 2)
Food webs (Descriptor 4)
Effects of contaminants (Descriptor 8)
Sea-floor integrity (Descriptor 4)
Contaminants in seafood (Descriptor 9)
Marine litter (Descriptor 10)
Underwater noise (Descriptor 11)

11. Fit with other Directives
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Water Framework Directive
Habitats Directive
Good
Very Good
Good
Moderate
Poor
Very poor
----GEcS----
Favourable
Inadequate
Bad
----GES----
----FCS----
[Not good]
We have tried to make the links between these different requirements as clear as possible, and where species or habitats are covered by the Habs Directive or WFD, we consider that this should be sufficient to ensure that GES is achieved for these habitats and species. Many of the targets/thresholds from those Directives have been used in our proposals for GES targets and indicators.
However, the more complicated issue is in relation to those areas of the marine environment that are not covered by the Habs Directive and WFD. MSFD is much broader than these two Directives, so we have had to consider how GES should apply within that wider area. In general we have chosen not to apply FCS or GEcS standards across the whole of UK waters, because this was felt to be too ambitious and not in line with sustainable use of the marine environment. 11

12. Consultation exercise - coverage
Initial assessment – Charting Progress 2 and Scotland’s Marine Atlas
Characteristics of GES – high level and qualitative
GES targets and indicators – more detailed, quantitative. Bound by criteria and indicators set by European Commission.
Potential implications – additional to existing work
Impact assessment – costs and benefits
Business as Usual report as baseline
Cost Benefit Analysis Report – options for targets and indicators

13. Principles for target setting
Sufficient to achieve or maintain GES;
Quantitative wherever possible, qualitative where not;
Include state, pressure, impact or operational targets;
Measurable;
Link through to management measures wherever possible;
Based as far as possible on existing targets/monitoring;
Appropriate scale;
Due consideration to socio-economics;
Timescales;
Regard to the precautionary principle.

14. Consultation questions
Initial assessment
Overall conclusions an accurate summary?
Any new evidence?
GES characteristics
Consistent with Directive, Commission decision, evidence base?
Consistent with other policies and commitments?
GES targets
Sufficient to guide progress towards GES?
Feasible in terms of management measures?
Feasible in terms of cost effective monitoring?
Proposals for filling gaps?

15. Consultation questions
Impact assessment
Are the illustrative measures a reasonable assessment of what is required?
Any other potential measures?
Any more information on costs?

16. Consultation process Ends 18 June
Further information at