The Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the ecosystem-based approach – pitfalls and solutions

Area of Science:

• Marine Ecology
• Environmental Policy
• Conservation Science

Background:

• The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) mandates achieving good environmental status (GES) in marine waters.
• It employs an ecosystem-based approach, defining 11 descriptors, 29 criteria, and 56 attributes.
• Current implementation faces challenges due to ambiguous terminology and indicator overlap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the EU Commission Decision on MSFD indicators.
• To identify ambiguities and overlaps in descriptors, criteria, and attributes.
• To propose improvements for effective marine environmental monitoring and management.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of the MSFD EU Commission Decision and its operational indicators.
• Identification of term ambiguities (e.g., indicator, impact, habitat).
• Assessment of indicator overlap across descriptors and criteria.

Main Results:

• Significant ambiguity in the use of key terms was found.
• Considerable overlap exists among indicators assigned to different descriptors and criteria.
• Redundancy in criteria and attributes complicates indicator synthesis and risks double counting.

Conclusions:

• Reorganization and elimination of redundant criteria/attributes are necessary.
• Clearer distinction between pressure and state descriptors is required.
• Inclusion of ecosystem services and functioning criteria, alongside precautionary and evidence-based approaches, will enhance GES achievement.