Preparatory meeting for the establishment of the Project Coordination Group (PCG) for the implementation of the MSFD 13 November 2012 11:00-13:30 European Commission, DG Environment, Marine Unit © iStockphoto

Agenda: Final discussion on the Terms of reference Latest information on projects under IMP (progress on specific contracts under the three IMP framework contracts) Next steps and planning for 2013 Any other business

3 Framework contracts (FRAs) have been administratively finalised 2. Latest information on projects under IMP 3 Framework contracts (FRAs) have been administratively finalised FRA on services related to coordination between the different marine regions in implementing the ecosystem approach FRA on support for the development of methodological standards in relation to good environmental status of the seas under the MSFD FRA on emerging pressures, human activities and measures in the marine environment (including marine litter) A. Technical work starts through specific assignments within each FRA. Several contracts are in the pipeline (see next slides)

Analysis of improving cooperation with and between RSCs 2. Latest information on projects under IMP Within FRA on services related to coordination between the different marine regions in implementing the ecosystem approach Analysis of improving cooperation with and between RSCs Analyse the support possibilities for the Regional Sea Conventions in relation to MSFD implementation. It will make recommendations on future areas where support may be needed, to improve efficiency and coherence of the work focussing on the practical means. The analysis and recommendations should concern the period up to 2020, with a focus on the coming years, and consider the needs of each individual RSC, as well as foster cooperation and coherence among different RSCs and look at the questions where certain work should best take place (EU CIS, RSCs, national…). Marine Conference in the second half of 2013 or beginning of 2014 Assist preparation of a conference (two days maximum) on work undertaken under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, paying specific attention to the work of the regional sea conventions and their contribution to the implementation of the MSFD. The conference will allow the presentation and discussion of the results of the Commission's Article 12 report with representatives from all contracting parties of the four regional sea conventions, their secretariats and experts from organisations working closely with them. Approximately 300 participants are expected. The event will take place in Brussels.

2. Latest information on projects under IMP Within FRA on support for the development of methodological standards in relation to good environmental status of the seas under the MSFD Conceptual document on coherence scales and aggregation rules for assessment and monitoring of GES Assess the electronic and text reporting undertaken by MS under Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the MSFD with the aim to analyse and compare the national approaches taken per descriptor regarding scales for assessment of state, determining GES and setting environmental targets. Based on the results of the analysis and further comparison with regional approaches and methods applied in research projects, identify issues that require further consultation by Member States, Regional Sea Conventions and the European Commission. Develop a conceptual document for coherent geographic scales and aggregation rules in assessment and monitoring of Good Environmental Status. This work will feed into WG GES and will be carried out in close collaboration with the WG GES (in particular their co-leads) as an input to the work mandated by the Marine Directors.

2. Latest information on projects under IMP Within FRA on emerging pressures, human activities and measures in the marine environment (including marine litter) EU baseline and possible 2020 EU target for marine litter (including Cost-Benefit assessment) Establish an EU baseline and possible target setting for marine litter, based on MS reports, including Cost-Benefit assessment and the development of options for possible reduction targets for marine litter and necessary measures at EU level. Administrative, organisational and logistic support for the Technical Sub-Groups on Marine Litter and Underwater Noise. Secretarial and content support for the work of the TSGs (two meetings per year of each TSG) on marine litter and on underwater noise (organizing meetings, maintaining network, editing reports of TSGs (progress report, deliverables)).

2. Latest information on projects under IMP Other initial ideas for topics for FRA contracts to be explored in a second phase (early 2013) could include: IT management sharing information flows between RSCs; PCG coordination , information exchange platform, Modelling of impact and pressures – toolbox for marine policy, Workshops MED GES guidance, Assessment of chemical monitoring in coastal and marine areas, Assessment of coherence and equivalence of eutrophication assessment methods between the RSCs (and relevant EU policy) Link between CFP and GES (maybe with ICES), Invasive species, Scoping study on emerging pressures , Identification inventory of marine pressures, Cost effectiveness of measures, Impacts from climate change on European seas, Information platform for cost effective measures for marine pressures. Feedback and additional ideas from ad-hoc PCG welcome.

C. Progress on other relevant DG ENV projects: 2. Latest information on projects under IMP C. Progress on other relevant DG ENV projects: Support action by the Joint Research Centre – under preparation, will be presented next time Support action by ICES – under discussion, will be presented next time, if agreed. IMP project: "Sharing of best practices on integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), in a context of adaptation to climate change in coastal areas" – under finalisation, contract to be signed in end 2012 Parliamentary Pilot project — new knowledge for an integrated management of human activity in the sea (deadline for submitting tenders is 19 December 2012) Parliamentary Pilot project — marine litter recovery (pilot project on knowledge and on marine litter avoidance): Contractor is selected, contract to be signed soon.