Marine Expert Group meeting Brussels, 6 November 2015 Commission report on the progress in establishing Marine Protected Areas European Commission DG Environment Marine Environment and Water Industry Unit Marine Expert Group meeting Brussels, 6 November 2015

Art. 21 MSFD Progress report on protected areas On the basis of the information provided by the Member States by 2013, the Commission shall report by 2014 on progress in the establishment of marine protected areas, having regard to existing obligations under applicable Community law and International commitments of the Community and the Member States. The report shall be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council.

DG Environment, Unit D.2 Marine Environment and Water Industry 09.10.14 Art. 21 COM Report Adopted on 1 October 2015 Input from : EEA briefing "Marine Protected Areas in Europe's Seas" (EEA report No 3/2015). RSC network assessments Deltares report "Proposal for an assessment method of the ecological coherence of networks of marine protected areas in Europe".

Structure of the report MPA coverage in Europe's seas in 2012 Natura 2000 sites RSC sites National designations Coherence and representativeness RSC findings Deltares report Conclusions and outlook Annexes Definitions Policy links

MPA coverage in 2012 In 2012, the European MPA network consisted of 7 725 sites and covered 338 600 km2  5.9% of EU marine waters covered Natura 2000 represented 2/3 of the EU MPA network 65% of the network area was designated more than once Large differences in coverage between regional seas Large differences in coverage of coastal vs offshore waters

MPA coverage in European Seas, 2012

MPA coverage in 2012 – coastal and offshore waters Member States have designated more sites since 2012 – these will be included in a 2016 update (and every 3 years)

Coherence and representativeness of the European MPA network No agreed EU-wide methodology exists  RSC assessments used supported by Deltares study According to RSCs, MPA networks cannot be considered or unlikely to be coherent First signs of coherence in Greater North Sea and to some extent in the Celtic Sea In the Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean considered most connected

Conclusions and outlook Commission will continue supporting MS: In the implementation of existing legislation (guidance, common understanding) In the effective management, establishment of incusive governance, and control of MPAs through N2K biogeographical process and provision of funds Commission will also: Work on EU methodology for coherence assessments Foster research Ensure EU representation at international processes (OECD, UN IA IN BBNJ)

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