Towards the UKs MSFD Initial Assessment and Data Management M. Charlesworth (BODC)

Content UK Initial Assessment + Provision of the data for the UK report Charting Progress 2 Initial thoughts on data provision for MSFD

Directive transposed Initial assessment of UK seas GES determined, including targets and indicators Monitoring programmes established Programmes of measures implemented GES achieved for UK seas MSFD Timeline

UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy 2005 – An assessment of UK waters – Charting Progress Recommend that a more coordinated approach to monitoring and assessment was taken. – UKMMAS formed Vision was Clean, Safe, Healthy, Biologically Diverse and Productive Seas

Charting Progress 2 – 2010! Charting Progress 2 will be the basis for the UK initial assessment CP2 feedback from Europe very positive 4 feeder reports and summary

Many Problems Some Problems Few or no Problems

LMH LMM LLL Amount of data Consensus

UK Initial Assessment Approach Tables showing where information relating to descriptors, characteristics and pressures and impacts (Annex III, Tables 1 and 2) Use Charting Progress report as is with a covering section showing where the information required can be found, and putting findings into context. Using Productive Seas chapter for the socio-economic analysis Regional cooperation – through OSPAR and QSR Estimated costs of environmental degradation

Charting Progress 2 Data

Descriptors of GES – high level, generic across Europe Determination of GES – more detailed characteristics describing what GES looks like for a particular Member State in the context of the wider marine region Targets and indicators – provide the final level of detail – taken together the targets should be sufficient to achieve the higher-level characteristics of GES above Measuring Good Environmental Status

Determining characteristics of GES The UK determination of GES will: 1.refer to a desired condition of the marine environment or level of pressures on it 2.be mainly qualitative and relatively high-level 3.be consistent with sustainable use of the marine environment 4.be compatible with other existing national, EU or international objectives 5.be developed taking into account the social and economic implications 6.take into account the links between the different Descriptors – e.g. Biological diversity and seafloor integrity 7.be developed on the basis of current evidence 8.be consistent/coordinated with other countries in the North East Atlantic 9.be transparent about areas of uncertainty due to gaps in our knowledge base

Reporting data/information for MSFD Very positive to see recent communication Marine Knowledge 2020 on how various initiatives could join up. Until it is agreed exactly what is reported detailed planning cannot take place 1.raw data, 2.average concentrations per year per site 3.environmental status per region per descriptor

Devolution and a large number of organisations in the UK that could contribute data make the picture fairly complex. Obligation for reporting for all of UK it will be 1 authority (Defra). Where possible would be best to collate any data in UK first before submission to any wider european initiatives Reporting data/information for MSFD

MERMAN CEFASEASEPAMSSAFBINIEA EMODNET chemistry (to satisfy MSFD requirements in future?) ICES (annual submission to meet UK obligation to OSPAR JAMP) Annual submission of data by Monitoring authorities OSPAR (annual assessment) EIONET (annual submission to EEA to meet obligations) UK and Regional Assessments (eg. Charting Progress, State of Scotland Seas

Identifying existing routes and data collections Thematic Data Centres: Data Archive for Species and Habitats (DASSH) – EMODNET biology – Descriptors biological diversity, food webs, and seafloor integrity British Oceanographic Data Centre + MERMAN – EMODNET chemistry – Descriptors eutrophication and hazardous substances Organisations: Food Standards Agency – Contaminants in Seafood Marine Conservation Society – onshore litter, offshore?

Finding data for assessment - UKDMOS

Finding data for assessment Derive automatically by mapping existing ukdmos parameters to the MSFD indicators UKDMOS parameters and MSFD indicators are different entities so in all cases the mapping should read that parameter X has the potential to provide data for MSFD indicator Y. For example, nobody actually measures Water transparency related to increase in suspended algae, where relevant but they do measure suspended particulate matter (organic/inorganic) and chlorophyll a, oceanographic conditions which provides data that can be combined to provide information if a decrease in water transparency is a function of a phytoplankton bloom or resuspension of sediment. First stage of a process to identify monitoring programmes that have the potential to provide data.

Summary UKs initial assessment to be based upon Charting Progress 2 Progress on determination of GES Lots to be learnt Enthused by recent communication – devil in the detail Sooner we know exact data reporting obligations the better Preparation in UK is underway