Marine Strategy Framework Directive

& the Celtic Seas Partnership

Natasha Barker Bradshaw

Celtic Seas Partnership Project Adviser

www.celticseaspartnership.eu

Twitter/celticseas

Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and

of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a

framework for community action in the field of

marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy

Framework Directive)

Provides the environmental pillar of the EUs Integrated Maritime Policy

Complements and fills gaps from the Water

Framework and other Directives (e.g. Habitats, Birds)

MSFD Aim and Delivery

Overall aim to deliver Good Environmental Status in all EU waters by 2020

Requires application of the ecosystem approach to management of human activities

Sets out European Marine Regions based on environmental and geographic criteria

North East Atlantic Ocean 2 sub-regions:

- Greater North Sea

- Celtic Seas

Will operate via Member State Marine Strategies

Ecosystem Approach

An ecosystem-based approach means an approach which ensures that the

collective pressure of human activities

within the marine strategy area is kept

within levels compatible with the

achievement of good environmental

status; and does not compromise the

capacity of marine ecosystems to

respond to human-induced changes.

Good Environmental Status

The overall state of the environment in marine

waters provides ecologically diverse and dynamic

oceans and seas which are healthy and

productive.

Use of the marine environment must be kept at

a sustainable level that safeguards potential uses

and activities by current and future generations.

The structure, functions and processes of

marine ecosystems have to be fully considered,

marine species and habitats must be protected

and human-induced decline of biodiversity

prevented.

GES is determined at the marine region level or on

a sub-regional level

It is based on 11 qualitative descriptors of the

marine environment laid out in the MSFD

1. Biological diversity is maintained

2. Non-indigenous species dont impact adversely

3. Fish stocks within safe biological limits healthy age/size distribution

4. Marine Food Web at normal abundance / diversity

5. Human-induced eutrophication (and its effects) are

minimised

How is Good Environmental Status Defined?

How is Good Environmental Status Defined?

6. Sea floor integrity ensures ecosystems are safeguarded

7. Permanent alteration of hydrographic conditions does not adversely affect ecosystems

8. Contaminants are not at levels that cause pollution effects

9. Contaminants in fish / other edibles do not exceed levels set by EC or other standards

10. Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment

11. Introduction of energy, e.g. underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment

Targets and Indicators have been established for each of these descriptors.

EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Good Environmental Status by 2020

Celtic Seas

Celtic Seas is OSPAR region III and one of the 10 MSFD

sub-regions

Western seaboard of UK: 7 countries/regions

UK: England (NW & SW, Wales, Scotland, NI

Republic of Ireland Isle of Man France (NW)

Diverse range of marine habitats and wide range of

maritime industries

Celtic Seas Partnership

Celtic Seas Partnership

EC LIFE+ funded project, with a budget of 4 million

Four year project: January 2013 to December 2016

Follows on from successful PISCES project

Supporting transboundary implementation of EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive in the Celtic Seas through a stakeholder-led approach

Timeline

2013 2014 2015 2016

Monitoring Programme

Develop Programmes of Measures

Implement Programmes of Measures

Third multi-national workshop

Second multi-national workshop

First multi-national workshop

Country workshops

Country workshops

Celtic Seas Partnership

Science

Sea-users

Government

Celtic Seas

Partnership

Supporting transboundary implementation of the Marine

Strategy Framework Directive in the Celtic Seas through a

stakeholder-led approach

Aim

The aim of the partnership is

to engage stakeholders in

decision-making by:

Linking sea-users, scientists and policy-

makers at the Celtic Seas

scale

Strengthening information exchange between Celtic Seas countries

Results areas

1. Engagement and capacity building

2. Transboundary partnership

3. Cross-sectoral good practice

4. Transboundary information resources

Strategic guide to knowledge integration

and data harmonisation

Celtic Seas web portal

What we aim to do

Support the goal of Good Environmental Status by 2020 by bringing governments & marine stakeholders together to develop:

Voluntary measures to achieve GES (e.g. noise, litter) Solutions for co-location and managing marine conflicts Solutions for tackling trans-boundary challenges Solutions for joint ICZM / MSFD implementation good practice

case studies and guidelines

A guide to integrating/harmonising engagement mechanisms and marine data

Proposals for a marine-region-level partnership that can be used as a model for other European marine regions

Multinational Workshop 1 October 2013 Building partnerships Identifying measures

Country workshops Spring 2014 Refine measures in country context

Identify transboundary & cross-sectoral

Multinational Workshop 2 Spring 2015 Review transboundary measures

Lessons from case studies

Country workshops Autumn 2015 Review government proposals

Consider ongoing role for input at country level

Final Multinational workshop Autumn 2016 Review role in final Programmes of Measures

Project outputs Consider future joint working mechanisms

Final proposal - Programme of

Measures

Government consultations

Evaluation of Programme of

Measures

Observer Board

Recent and forthcoming activities

Oct 2013 - Launch event, Liverpool (1st of 3 annual events)

c.70 delegates, 80 ideas for MSFD measures (19 draft detailed)

33 case studies for co-location and trans-boundary challenges/solutions

Survey of possible measures

Jan 2014 1st Scientific Workshop 18th June 2014 - 1st England Country

Workshop, Plymouth

Aspirations from stakeholders

Stakeholders need to be at the heart of marine management and policy

Like to see consistent application of ecosystem approach principles across sectors and countries in Celtic Seas

Need inter-governmental and cross-sectoral commitment and joined up thinking on how you spatially manage the Celtic Seas

We need open access to quality data and greater sharing of data across boundaries and sectors

Next: interest and influence on descriptors

Developing draft measures

Expanding initiatives for fishermen to participate in marine litter collection

Citizen science project on marine invasive species to encourage reporting

Develop new training schemes for planners that deal with land/sea interface

Working together

Development of a transboundary partnership with a role in

supporting and facilitating marine policy.

Development of management measures drawing on best practice

examples.

Development and building on relationships for better links between

sea users, governments and the scientific community.

Regional Seas

Knowledge exchange opportunities (NERC Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry prog)

Recommend science needs from stakeholders

Identify knowledge gaps

Web portal - signposting

Consider links between research & GES

Get involved in workshops and consultations as the project progresses

Signing up for the e-newsletter at www.celticseaspartnerhip.eu

Check the website news blog and follow us on twitter @celticseaspartnership

Opportunities for engagement

Natasha Barker Bradshaw

Celtic Seas Partnership Project Adviser

nbarkerbradshaw@wwf.org.uk

www.celticseaspartnership.eu

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