European Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The European Union's (2008/56/EC) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was adopted on 17 June 2008, and came into force on 15 July 2008. It was due to be transposed into national legislation by 15 July 2010.

Aims and objectives

The Marine Directive aims to protect more effectively the marine environment across Europe by achieving and maintaining Good Environmental Status (GES) of the EU marine waters by 2020 and by protecting the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend. To achieve these objectives the Directive establishes European marine regions (the Baltic Sea, the North East Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea) on the basis of geographical and environmental criteria.

The Marine Strategy

Timeframe

Deadline	Task
15 July 2012	Initial assessment of the current environmental status of national marine waters and the environmental impact and socio-economic analysis of human activities in these waters
15 July 2012	A definition of what GES means for national marine waters
15 July 2012	Establishment of clear environmental targets and associated indicators to achieve GES by 2020
2013	Report on progress in the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs)
15 July 2014	Establishment of a monitoring programme for the ongoing assessment and the regular update of targets
2015	Development of a programme of (cost-effective) measures designed to achieve or maintain GES by 2020
2016	Establishment of a monitoring programme for the ongoing assessment and the regular update of targets
2018-2021	Review and preparation of the second cycle

References

Text of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive [1]

External links

The European Commission, the Marine Directive

The main author of this article is Knockaert, Carolien Please note that others may also have edited the contents of this article. Citation: Knockaert, Carolien (2013): European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Available from http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/European_Marine_Strategy_Framework_Directive [accessed on 22-11-2024] For other articles by this author see Category:Articles by Knockaert, Carolien For an overview of contributions by this author see Special:Contributions/Carolienk