Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Common Implementation Strategy 6th meeting of the Working Group on Data, Information and Knowledge Exchange (WG DIKE)   30-31 October 2012 Conference Centre Albert Borschette, Room 0B, Rue Froissart 36, 1040 Brussels Agenda item: 9 Document: DIKE 6/2012/12 Title: Framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes – Discussion Paper Prepared by: MRAG

Background Art. 11 regarding monitoring programmes  legally binding requirements Preparatory process should start now How to address the work with this issue ? What are the key elements to be reported ? Which links with reporting under Art 8, 9 & 10 ? Which links with WFD in particular ? What are the different options for the structure of the report ?

WG DIKE is invited to Agree on concept on the basis of the options described in the paper Expresses views on options for structuring reporting c. Agree on a time line and a process for the development of MSFD Reporting Sheets for Art. 11 with the view to finalising them in June 2013

A framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes

What does the Directive say In Article 5(2) “a monitoring programme for on-going assessment and regular updating of targets in accordance with Article 11 (1)" needs to be established and implemented by 15 July 2014 Article 11(1) sates that monitoring programmes are for the ongoing assessment of environmental status, based on the elements in annex III (environmental characteristics, and pressures and impacts) and according to the requirements of Annex V WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Aim of the monitoring programmes Assess and reassess characteristics of the marine environment Assess achievement, failure and progress towards GES and achievement of environmental targets Assessment of the impact of measures, and include activities to identify the cause of changes observed WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

What is the aim of reporting on monitoring programmes Record what will be monitored, where, with what frequency, and how Provide framework to enable access to future monitoring information/data Allow the commission to undertake its article 12 assessment WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

What are the likely components of the monitoring programmes example of data collection include: continuous recording of parameters (e.g. for physical parameters temp, pH, etc); regular sampling/recording of parameters; surveys , could be discrete surveys, or repeated periodically Collection of data will all be done by Environmental Monitoring Facility (EMF) as characterised by INSPIRE Assessment of GES (Based on annex III) Assess biodiversity Assess physical parameters Assess pressures and their impacts Assess human activities Assess GES by collecting data for indicators that are related to target, WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

How are monitoring programme likely to be assessed Does it enable ongoing assessment of environmental status Does it cover all relevant elements in Annex III, Tables 1 & 2 Does it allow assessment with reference to the environmental targets Is it compatible with other MS monitoring programmes within the marine region/subregion WISE Marine - streamlining of reporting 31 Oct 2012

At what scale should reporting on monitoring programmes be WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Options for structuring reporting on monitoring programmes Structure reporting around GES Descriptors Structure by Environmental Target or indicator linked to GES Structure reporting around Article 8 reporting sheets Structure by monitoring programme theme Structure by monitoring site/station WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Structure reporting around GES Descriptors Pros Cons Clear link to descriptors, criteria etc Some aspects of initial assessment not covered (e.g. physical parameters, broad scale seabed habitat types) Follows structure of reporting on GES and targets and indicators. Does not follow structure of Article 8 reporting sheets WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Structure by Environmental Target or indicator linked to GES Pros Cons Monitoring will be largely to assess progress against environmental targets, which themselves assess progress to GES Some parameters may be monitored under various environmental targets (would need to provide link). Details of methodology, frequency of monitoring etc can be specified for each parameter. It would require a separate specification, by site/station, of which parameters are monitored at each station (or a specification of at which sites/stations the parameter will be monitored). WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Structure reporting around Article 8 reporting sheets Pros Cons Clearly links to Article 8 reporting Less clear link to GES descriptors and environmental targets WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Structure by monitoring programme theme Pros Cons MS defines the part(theme) of the monitoring programme to be reported, then classifies according to relevant Article 8 themes, and GES descriptors, criteria etc., environmental target; Lack of consistency in reporting across Member States Flexibility regarding structure of reporting WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Structure by monitoring site/station Pros Cons Specify which parameters will be monitored at each site/station; The same parameters would be expected to be monitored at several sites/stations; Could result in repetition of detail reported (e.g. if for each parameter, there would be a need to report frequency of collection etc.) WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Components of Reporting WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Existing structures/ standards WFD WFD Guidance No. 7 – Monitoring Programmes WFD Guidance No 21 – Reporting under WFD WFD Guidance No. 22 – GIS INSPIRE Data Specification on Environmental Monitoring Facilities Other / RSC MESH Meta data model HELCOM WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

Summary How is progress to GES best assessed What will be the scale of reporting What should the structure be How will the components relate to each other What aspects of WFD and INSPIRE or other standards should be considered? WISE Marine - framework for reporting on MSFD monitoring programmes 31 Oct 2012

What next ? First draft on a time line and a process for the development of Reporting Sheets for Art. 11  By end 2012 Possible need for a drafting group  January 2013 To be further improved at the next DIKE meeting  18 – 19 March 2013 To be endorsed by MSCG and Marine Directors  May – June 2013