1. 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 , Georg Hanke

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. WORK SCHEDULE
Schedule Copenhagen, Danmark, meeting FIRST INTERMEDIATE REPORT Calvi, France, meeting SECOND INTERMEDIATE REPORT 27./ Reporting to GES meeting Varna, Bulgaria, final meeting

6. Mandate and Terms of Reference
Group scope by Terms of Reference ( )
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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 and to provide an overview of monitoring and assessment methodologies and of the regional coverage of litter monitoring programmes.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 ( )
Presentation by Stefanie Werner (UBA, Germany)
Final guidance will be given in the TSG ML report

13. 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.

14. Marine Directors meeting in November 2011
Next steps, schedule
Next steps
Input for the report for all tasks by , then iterative drafting and meeting preparation
In Varna, 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

15. 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!