Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter Update on the MSFD GES Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter Francois Galgani (IFREMER), Georg Hanke (JRC IES), Stefanie Werner (UBA), Henna Piha (JRC IES) MSFD GES meeting 27.+ 28.9.2011, Georg Hanke

MSFD Descriptor 10 MSFD Commission (Decision 2010/477/EU) Descriptor 10: Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment. 10.1. Characteristics of litter in the marine and coastal environment — Trends in the amount of litter washed ashore and/or deposited on coastlines, including analysis of its composition, spatial distribution and, where possible, source (10.1.1) — Trends in the amount of litter in the water column (including floating at the surface) and deposited on the sea- floor, including analysis of its composition, spatial distribution and, where possible, source (10.1.2) — Trends in the amount, distribution and, where possible, composition of micro-particles (in particular micro- plastics) (10.1.3) 10.2. Impacts of litter on marine life — Trends in the amount and composition of litter ingested by marine animals (e.g. stomach analysis) (10.2.1). GES group has identified need for Expert group on Noise and Litter. Mandate for Noise and Marine Litter GES subgroup set-up

Regional Sea Conventions OSPAR + MEDPOL directly involved Set-up The group is chaired by Francois Galgani (Ifremer, France), co-chaired by Georg Hanke (JRC) and Stefanie Werner (UBA, Germany), and supported by Henna Piha (JRC) Currently 37 people nominated by MS and stakeholders are participating in the group Regional Sea Conventions OSPAR + MEDPOL directly involved EEA + ICES participating to the group NGOs involved US experts involved

Meetings with defined questions and structured discussions Work modus The work is facilitated by a web-based communication platform (Basecamp) provided through JRC Forum-style collaboration, discussion, notification, drafting of documents and compiling all information is done through the web tool Meetings with defined questions and structured discussions Reporting to GES group through CIRCA

WORK SCHEDULE Schedule 4.11.2010 Copenhagen, Danmark, meeting 17.3.2011 FIRST INTERMEDIATE REPORT 18.-20.4.2011 Calvi, France, meeting 28.7.2011 SECOND INTERMEDIATE REPORT 27./28.9.2011 Reporting to GES meeting 12.-14.10.2011 Varna, Bulgaria, final meeting

Mandate and Terms of Reference Group scope by Terms of Reference (5.10.2010) Identify and review existing data and on-going data collection on marine litter Describe data needs and methods for future assessment of marine litter Consider standards for recording of marine litter Develop proposals for the development of impact indicators for each of the regions Address how to develop objectives (characteristics of GES), environmental targets and associated indicators in relation to marine litter Discuss effectiveness of measures leading to reductions in marine litter Recommend proposals for further research priorities.

The group has focused on developing Toolbox + Roadmap The group has focused on developing TOOLBOX with applicable monitoring/quantification methods (tools) related to COM DEC (2010/477/EU) Descriptor 10 The format for the tools has been developed and agreed upon and draft tools have been developed within the relevant tasks ROADMAP for the further MSFD Descriptor 10 implementation strategy Implementation recommendations and needs for further development are being identified for the different task subjects, timescales: 1 year, until 2014, beyond

MSFD GES TSG Marine Litter TASKS ten priority task areas have been identified: Available data and methodologies Coastline Water column & surface Seafloor Biota Microlitter Objectives and targets Sources Reporting and data treatment Research needs Toolbox elements/tools

Available data and methodologies Task 1 Available data and methodologies A questionnaire on available data and methodologies related to marine litter in European seas has been circulated and data has been received from approximately 40 organisations covering altogether 56 different monitoring projects. This data is used in the development of tools in Tasks 2-6 and to provide an overview of monitoring and assessment methodologies and of the regional coverage of litter monitoring programmes.

Tasks 2-6 Monitoring tools Each task has reviewed existing methodologies and prepared draft tools for recommendations as “common best practices” for monitoring The units and categories for reporting marine litter are still under discussion with the aim of achieving a harmonised classification among the different monitoring matrices (coastline, water column, sea floor, biota), based on existing approaches Expected and necessary developments over the next years have been identified

Benthic trawls, shallow seafloor diving Biota Monitoring tools Coastline macroscopic items counting on 100 m, 2.5 cm minimum size, floatation method for microlitter Water column/surface Observation from air, ship based (both including camera based approaches), tow nets Seafloor Benthic trawls, shallow seafloor diving Biota Fulmar, Shearwater, Turtles, Seals, Fish candidate indicators

Objectives, targets and sources Tasks 7-8 Objectives and Targets, Sources On request by the GES group, the Marine Litter group has prepared a document for anticipated advice on the determination of Good Environmental Status and target setting for Descriptor 10 MSFD for the WG GES (15.9.2011) Presentation by Stefanie Werner (UBA, Germany) Final guidance will be given in the TSG ML report

Task 10 Research needs Research needs Understanding of mechanisms and processes associated with the causes and impacts of litter at sea. Examples for needed research: - to link quantities of litter and associated harm in the context of GES, - to define spatial priority areas, - to harmonise and coordinate common and comparable monitoring approaches - to implement harmonised methods to assess GES on a regional/European scale.

Marine Directors meeting in November 2011 Next steps, schedule Next steps Input for the report for all tasks by 3.10.2011, then iterative drafting and meeting preparation In Varna, 10.-14.10.2011 review of the draft report and finalisation shortly afterwards Final draft report delivered to the GES group via CIRCA in time for MSCG consultation and then Marine Directors meeting in November 2011

Open issues (complete evaluation part of final report): Considerations Continued Member States expert contribution needed for final report preparation! The groups current focus on high priority issues TOOLBOX and ROADMAP, not all ToR issues have been tackled Open issues (complete evaluation part of final report): - Monitoring towards 2014 (harmonisation, QA/QC) - Sources – measures related … Next steps for Marine Litter ROADMAP implementation to be decided!