An Introduction to STAGES November 2012

The Project: STAGES (FP7 ENV 2012) Science and Technology Advancing Governance and GES Improve the current scientific knowledge base and connect science to policy to help achieve GES in marine waters and support MSFD implementation 1/9/12 – 31/8/14

Objectives: Key Objective 1: Identify, extract and synthesise the knowledge generated through EU and national research-funded activities relating to the MSFD and make it widely available   Key Objective 2: Establish where further research needs to be conducted to improve the scientific knowledge underpinning implementation of the MSFD. Key Objective 3: STAGES will provide pragmatic and ready-to-use recommendations to establish an effective European science-policy platform to support GES research and implementation of the MSFD.

DURATION: 1/9/12 – 31/8/14

Support from MSCG Help facilitate STAGES to approach and interact with Marine Research Organisations involved in MSFD research in your Member State Help to identify key MSFD stakeholders in your Member State STAGES will be in contact soon!

For more information: Project Coordinator Marisa Fernandez Cañamero CETMAR mfernandez@cetmar.org Tel. +34 986 247 047 Ext. 102

The Challenge: What actually constitutes GES? From 11 descriptors to an overall GES assessment How can appropriate GES targets be established for the diverse European marine regions and sub-regions? Lack of knowledge that may hinder full implementation of the MSFD and the achievement of GES in EU waters. Need to develop additional scientific understanding for assessing GES in a coherent and holistic manner Relevant research results should be synthesized and passed to policy makers

Key Objective 1) Identify and Synthesise the Knowledge Generated Through EU and National Research Funded Activities with Relevance to MSFD Objectives Make this Knowledge Widely Accessible to Policy and Decision-Makers and to MSFD Stakeholders

Objective 1) Methodology Comprehensive Knowledge Collection at National and EU-level Analysis and Classification of the Knowledge per MSFD Major Themes Synthesis of the Knowledge in the form of State of the Art Reports

Objective 1) Outputs

Key Objective 2 Identify the Needs for Further Research to Improve the Scientific Underpinning for the Implementation of the MSFD

Objective 2) Methodology Foresight and Consultation Exercise Workshop & Mobilisation of Experts and Scientists Implementation of Monitoring Programmes Pressures and their Impacts on Marine Ecosystems Socio-economic Analysis: Environmental Targets & Measures

Objective 2) Outputs

Key Objective 3 Provide Concrete, Pragmatic and Ready-to-Use Recommendations on the Development of an European Science-Policy Platform to Support Implementation of the MSFD

Objective 3) Methodology Identify Relevant MSFD Stakeholders and Implement a Structured Stakeholder Consultation to Take into Account their Needs Stakeholder Workshops Analysis of Existing SPI Structures, Processes and Best Practices Define Innovative Mechanisms to Deliver Updated and Ongoing Syntheses of Scientific Knowledge in the Future Identify Deliverables to Policy-Makers in line with the Timing of MSFD Implementation

Objective 3) Outputs