1. European Commission, DG Environment, Marine Unit
Ad Hoc preparatory meeting for the establishment of a Project Coordination Group (PCG) for the implementation of the MSFD
European Commission, DG Environment, Marine Unit
© iStockphoto

2. 09:30 – 13:00 Joint session
Scope and aim of the coordination exercise
Relationship with the MSCG (Marine Strategy Coordination Group) and draft terms of references of the Project Coordination Group
11h: Coffee break
Short presentation of content/state of advancement of the projects to be coordinated
Framework contract for services related to coordination between the different marine regions in implementing the ecosystem approach
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch break
14:30 – 16:30 Session Commission – Member States - Room C
Short presentation of content/state of advancement of the projects to be coordinated (continuation)
Support for the development of methodological standards in relation to good environmental status of the seas under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Emerging pressures, human activities and measures in the marine environment (including marine litter)
14:30 – 16:30 Session Commission – RSC Secretariats - Room BU/9 5-48
Other ways of strengthening coordination between RSCs and with the Commission for MSFD implementation.
16:30 – 17:30 Joint session
A.O.B including decisions on next steps and meetings

3. Project Coordination Group
Scope and aim of the coordination exercise
Promote the efficient use of EU funding possibilities
to support MSFD implementation
in particular those funds available under the Integrated Maritime Policy Programme.
What are your views on the scope?
Action 1: Coordination
Action 2: GES
Action 3: Pressures
Other projects
Project Coordination Group

4. Relationship with the MSCG
Draft information note for the MSCG draft, incl. recommendations
Project Coordination Group
Feedback
MSCG
Considers the information note
Information note published on CIRCA/
Europa
RSCs invited to share w/ contracting parties

5. Draft Terms of Reference
Mandate
Composition
Key activities
Operation

6. Project presentation
Coordination between the different marine regions in implementing the ecosystem approach
Methodological standards in relation to GES
Framework contract for services related to marine litter, underwater noise, NIS and other emerging pressures under the MSFD

7. Coordination between the different marine regions in implementing the ecosystem approach
Objectives:
To support the coherence of the implementation of the MSFD within and among marine regions and ensure consistency with the legal obligations under EU legislation and international agreements
Assist the Commission with the report under Article 12 of the MSFD and the RSCs in the preparation of inputs for the next stages of implementation, in particular as regards the monitoring programmes and the programme of measures
Provide feedback from the work of the RSCs as regards the need for further action at EU level in order to ensure consistency and complementarity with all relevant EU policies

8. Specific objectives
Assess coherence at different stages of MSFD implementation, and make recommendations on specific activities/tools to improve coordination,
Support RSCs in further developing coherent and comparable approaches, promoting best practices ,
Intensify information exchange between EU and RSCs,
Organise events dedicated to collaboration.

9. Illustrative tasks :
Systematic assessement of approaches and results on setting GES and environmental targets within the Baltic Sea
Organise an exchange of best practice between different regions on descriptor 5 (Eutrophication)
Develop a concept and a workplan on streamlining reporting and data management
Organise a European Maritime Conference in 2013/14

10. Support for the development of methodological standards in relation to good environmental status of the seas under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Objectives:
To support in the implementation of the MSFD and the further development of criteria and methodological standards for monitoring and assessment of GES
Analysis and review of current methods used
Identification of best practices at European, regional, national, or local level, including the assessment of their effectiveness and their coherence
In an interactive way by technical meetings and workshops, consultation with Member States, the RSC, involvement of stakeholders and of the scientific community

11. Specific objectives:
Review of methodological standards for data collection, sampling design and assessment relating to the state of the marine environment and the pressures and impacts upon it
Identification of gaps in the suite of methods, and recommendations on a coherent and integrated set of methods for assessment and monitoring to be used by Member States  
Provision of scientific and technical input to a coordinated and integrated assessment of good environmental status  
Monitoring and management of data and information, provision of scientific and technical input to the reporting platform for the marine environment under MSFD (WISE-Marine), development and maintenance of databases

12. Illustrative tasks:
Review of methodological standards, for monitoring and assessment of concentrations of contaminants (Descriptor 8)
Identification of gaps and suggestions for coherent methods for the elements of marine food webs (Descriptor 4)
Scientific and technical input for further determination of GES in relation to permanent alterations of hydrographical conditions (Descriptor 7)

13. Emerging pressures, human activities and measures in the marine environment (including marine litter)
Objectives:
To address the emerging pressures and human activities and related measures in the marine environment
To inform and assist MSs in the preparation of their national preparation of the programme of measures to achieve or maintain GES as provided for by Article 13 of the MSFD

14. Specific objectives
Analyse and assess emerging pressures and emerging human activities in the marine environment
Identify possible cost-effective measures and analyse their socio-economic impacts and benefits
Provide administrative, organisational and logistic support

15. Illustrative tasks
Expanding information network for non-indigenous species
Establish a baseline and options for reduction targets for marine litter
Administrative, logistic and organisational support for the TSG Marine litter and Underwater noise
You can mention a few examples from the technical specifications

16. AOB
Next Steps?
Next meeting?
THANK YOU !