E: info@era.org.mt W: era.org.mt Marine Strategy Framework - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

E: info@era.org.mt W: era.org.mt

Marine Strategy Framework Directive Programme of Measures

 MSFD goals  Programme of Measures: requirements  Exceptions  Programme of Measures: issues  Public Consultation Process

MSFD - goals  Achievement of Good Environmental Status ( GES ) in EU Waters by 2020. How?  Development of marine strategies:  Initial Assessment, GES & Targets  Monitoring Programme  Programme of Measures

Programme of Measures - 1  Member States shall, in respect of each marine region or subregion concerned, identify the measures which need to be taken in order to achieve or maintain good environmental status , as determined pursuant to Article 9(1), in their marine waters.  Those measures shall be devised on the basis of the initial assessment made pursuant to Article 8 (1) and by reference to the environmental targets established pursuant to Article 10 (1)  Member States shall integrate the measures into a programme of measures taking into account relevant measures required under community legislation (WFD, UWWT, BWQ)  Programme of measures shall include spatial protection measures, contributing to coherent and representative networks of marine protected areas.

Programme of Measures - 2 Identify existing measures and develop new measures – 4 categories Category 1.a:  measures relevant for the achievement and maintenance of GES under the MSFD that have been adopted under other policies and implemented; Category 1.b:  measures relevant for achievement and maintenance of GES under the MSFD that have been adopted under other policies but that have not yet been implemented or fully implemented. Category 2.a:  additional measures to achieve or maintain GES which build upon existing implementation processes regarding other EU legislation and international agreements but go beyond what is already required under these Category 2.b:  additional measures to achieve or maintain GES which do not build on existing EU legislation or international agreements.

Programme of Measures - 3 Reporting Obligations: Summary Report Description of existing and new measures  Classification in ‘Key Type Measures’  Environmental Targets being addressed  Links to EU/international policies (cat. 2a)  Cost-effectiveness & cost-benefit analysis for new measures  Responsible Competent & Delivery authorities/organisations  Temporal Coverage  Financing of measures  Coordination level: Local, sub-national, national, bilateral, sub-  regional, regional, EU level, International Potential obstacles to successful implementation  Assessment of effectiveness of measure once implemented 

Programme of Measures - 4 Report for each descriptor/theme: Environmental Status and relevant pressures  Good Environmental Status and Environmental Targets  Existing measures  Gap Analysis  New measures  Adequacy and exceptions  Links to other policies  Regional Cooperation  Administrative Processes 

Programme of Measures - 5 Reports: D1, D4 – seabirds  D1, D4 – Fish (and cephalopods)  D1, D4 – Reptiles & Marine Mammals  D1, D4 – Water Column Habitats  D1, D4, D6 – Seabed Habitats  D2 – Non-indigenous species  D3 – Commercial Stocks  D5 – Eutrophication  D7 – Hydrographical Changes  D8 – Contaminants  D9 – Contaminants in Seafood  D10 – Marine Litter  D11 – Underwater Noise 

Exceptions A Member State may identify instances within its marine waters where environmental targets or good environmental status cannot be achieved: action or inaction for which the Member State concerned is not  responsible natural causes  force majeure  modifications or alterations to the physical characteristics of marine  waters brought about by actions taken for reasons of overriding public interest which outweigh the negative impact on the environment, including any transboundary impact Natural conditions which do not allow timely improvement in the  status of the marine waters concerned

New measures: issues Anchoring as a pressure on seabed habitats  Environmental concerns in permitting of offshore activity  Fisheries in Marine Protected Areas  Interactions of fisheries with species  Pressures from light and noise on seabirds, reptiles and  mammals Awareness raising on protected species, marine litter,  fisheries management Improvement of data collection processes  Removal of accumulated litter  Fishing gear 

Public Consultation Reports uploaded in phased manner:  http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/MSFD.aspx Feedback & Suggestions are welcome  Deadline for submission will be announced once all reports are  uploaded

Thank you!