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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.