Uli Claussen Co-lead ECOSTAT MSFD Draft of the Commission Decision on GES Descriptor 5 Eutrophication Uli Claussen Co-lead ECOSTAT

GES Decision review – main aims Simpler Clearer Introducing minimum standards (to be enhanced by regions and MS, if necessary) Self-explanatory Coherent with other EU legislation Coherent with regional assessment methods (where EU methods do not exist) Include a clear and minimum list of elements and/or parameters per descriptor

Definitions The term 'indicator' disappeared, replaced by 'criteria' (a) 'primary criteria' are mandatory (b) 'secondary criteria' are voluntary in addition to primary criteria

Definitions ‘threshold values’ means the value, values or ranges of values [established at Union, international, regional or subregional level] which define the quality level to be achieved for the criterion

COM DEC Parts Part A – Assessment of predominant pressures and impacts under point (B) of Article 8(1) order of pressures: substances, litter and energy (Descriptors 5, 8, 9, 10, 11), biological pressures (Descriptors 2 and 3) and physical pressures (Descriptors 6 and 7) Part B – Assessment of essential features and characteristics and current environment status of marine waters under point (A) of Article 8(1) D1, 4, 6 Part C – Spatial aspects assessing the extent to which GES is achieved

D5 Criteria D5C1 – Nutrient concentrations D5C2 – Chlorophyll a concentrations D5C3 – Water transparency D5C4 – Bloom events of nuisance or toxic algal blooms (e.g. cyanobacteria) D5C5 - Changes in phytoplankton species composition and relative abundance

D5 Criteria D5C6 - Changes in the biomass of opportunistic macroalgae in coastal waters D5C7 - Changes in the abundance or depth distribution of perennial seaweeds and seagrasses (e.g. fucoids, eelgrass and Neptune grass) in coastal waters D5C8 - Dissolved oxygen concentration D5C9 - Changes in the typical species composition, and relative abundance of benthic invertebrate communities

Primary & Secondary Criteria Criteria D5C1 (N, P), D5C2 (Chl-a) and D5C8 (Ox) are primary criteria. Criteria D5C6 (Opp Macro), D5C7 (seagrass) and D5C9 (Zoo) are primary criteria in coastal waters. The remaining criteria are secondary criteria. D5C9 (Zoo) may substitute D5C8 (Ox) and D5C3 (secchi), D5C4 (Blooms) or D5C5 (phytocomp) may be used to complement D5C2 (Chl-a). The use of the secondary criteria shall be agreed at regional or subregional level.

Methodological Standards 1) Scales of Assessment For coastal waters, the water bodies under Directive 2000/60/EC; Beyond coastal waters, subdivisions of the region or subregion, divided where needed by national boundaries.

Methodological Standards 2) Application rules All criteria used shall achieve the threshold values set. As threshold use For coastal waters values set under the WFD Beyond coastal waters the values set at regional or subregional level by Member States, which are consistent with those of Directive 2000/60/EC.

Specification Specifications and standardised methods for monitoring and assessment Monitoring beyond coastal waters under the Descriptor 5 criteria may not be necessary in cases where the threshold values are achieved in coastal waters.