Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Review of Decision on GES & Annex III
Scene setter
European Commission
DG Environment
Marine Environment and Water Industry Unit
Workshop on cross-cutting issues in relation to the
review of the GES decision and Annex ΙII of MSFD
21-22 January 2015, Copenhagen
GES Decision review – main aims
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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
GES Decision review – progress
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
JRC and ICES leading technical reviews of Decision per
Descriptor – started in spring 2014, supported by expert
networks and/or expert workshops
Draft 'manuals' presented to WG GES (October 2014) –
review of current use of Decision, initial proposals for
revision of Decision and criteria (variable level of
maturity)
MS comments on draft templates to end November 2014
JRC and ICES starting to consider comments and identify
outstanding issues
Identification of cross-cutting issues
12th WG GES - Next Steps
• 28/11/2014: WG GES comments on all draft documents
(i.e. JRC/ ICES manuals, on cross cutting issues, Annex
III, CU document)
• Some EGs (D1, D2, D5) can also continue to comment until
28/11
• 21-22/01/2015 Cross cutting issues workshop,
Copenhagen
• Early Feb: revised JRC/ICES manuals circulated. If
necessary, targeted meetings of EGs to address
outstanding technical issues identified (if meetings then
btw Feb/March)
• 25/03/2015-07/04/2015: Next draft documents to be
circulated to WG GES
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• 22-23/04/2015: next WG GES meeting
MSFD Committee conclusions
• Committee/08/2014/03rev document as a basis for
continuing and finalising the technical and scientific review
phase (1)
• Invited the WG GES to oversee the technical phase
• The technical phase of the review should be extended until
mid 2015
• Phases 2 (consultation and discussion) and 3 (decision
making) of the review should be consequently, postponed
accordingly
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Next steps envisaged
• 28 November: deadline for submitting comments to all draft
documents presented in WG GES meeting
• 21-23 January 2015: cross cutting workshop
• February-March 2015: consultation of revised manuals per
descriptor and possible meetings of expert working groups to
address outstanding technical issues identified
• 25 March-7 April 2015: all draft documents to be circulated to WG
GES
• 22-23 April 2015 (tbc): WG GES to discuss finalisation of
the technical phase and prepare progress report with
recommendations for the way forward for the Committee or
identify specific issues for further technical work
• 5 May 2015 (tbc): Committee to review progress and
discuss way forward (MSCG will be consulted as well)
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Cross-cutting issues
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Integration of descriptors, especially biodiversity
Alignment with EU and RSC standards
Aggregation of assessments (within/across descriptors)
Scales for assessment
Others??????????
a. These issues provide main topics for workshop
b. Discuss in three sessions by 2 or 3 subgroups
c. Each subgroup to discuss same issues
d. Aim to draw (broad) conclusions to give direction to next phase of
technical review
e. Discussion may identify further issues needing more detailed work
f. Workshop is NOT about making decisions, but opportunity to discuss and
give direction, based on current state of Decision technical review and
practical experience of implementation to date
What happens next?
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ICES focused workshops D3, D4, D6
• Focused workshops on specific challenges that arose
during the 2014 scientific review of the MSFD descriptors
a) Provide further input to the MSFD review manual following on from
the initial ICES/JRC workshop and template
b) Consolidate and address relevant scientific comments and requests
for clarification received from WG GES and DG ENV on the earlier
version of the MSFD review manual.
c) Comment on implications for the MSFD review manual in light of the
DG ENV cross-cutting workshop
• The workshops will build on the previous work
• The workshops will take place in ICES HQ, Copenhagen:
10–12 February (D3), 16–19 February (D6) and 24–25
February (D4)
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JRC descriptors (D1, D2 & D5)
• Cross-cutting issues meeting: 21-22 January
• Clarify specific questions on the identified issues with
experts
• Finalize discussions and complete the review process
(February-March)
• Finalization of the manuals for descriptors: 25 March-7
April 2015
• GES meeting: 22-23 April 2015
• Following-up on particular issues that need further
clarification and guidance
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JRC descriptors (D7, D8 & 9, D10)
• Prepare a glossary with the relevant terms to be circulated
and discussed with experts
• Cross-cutting issues meeting: 21-22 January
• Prepare a questionnaire with specific questions on the
identified issues to be circulated to experts
• Analyse the outcomes of the questionnaire, finalize
discussions and complete the review process (FebruaryMarch)
• Finalization of the manuals for descriptors: 25 March-7
April 2015
• GES meeting: 22-23 April 2015
• Following-up on particular issues that need further
clarification and guidance
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JRC descriptors (cont.)
• D8 & D9: Working meeting of MSFD Expert Network on
Contaminants
23-24 February 2015, Ispra JRC, Italy(tbc)
• D10: Phone/skype meetings, ad hoc meeting of MSFD TG
Marine litter (to be decided)
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