1. Marine Expert Group meeting Brussels, 6 November 2015
Commission report on the progress in establishing Marine Protected Areas
European Commission
DG Environment
Marine Environment and Water Industry Unit
Marine Expert Group meeting
Brussels, 6 November 2015

2. Art. 21 MSFD Progress report on protected areas
On the basis of the information provided by the Member States by 2013, the Commission shall report by 2014 on progress in the establishment of marine protected areas, having regard to existing obligations under applicable Community law and International commitments of the Community and the Member States.
The report shall be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council.

3. DG Environment, Unit D.2 Marine Environment and Water Industry
Art. 21 COM Report
Adopted on 1 October 2015
Input from :
EEA briefing "Marine Protected Areas in Europe's Seas" (EEA report No 3/2015).
RSC network assessments
Deltares report "Proposal for an assessment method of the ecological coherence of networks of marine protected areas in Europe".

4. Structure of the report
MPA coverage in Europe's seas in 2012
Natura 2000 sites
RSC sites
National designations
Coherence and representativeness
RSC findings
Deltares report
Conclusions and outlook
Annexes
Definitions
Policy links

5. MPA coverage in 2012
In 2012, the European MPA network consisted of sites and covered km2  5.9% of EU marine waters covered
Natura 2000 represented 2/3 of the EU MPA network
65% of the network area was designated more than once
Large differences in coverage between regional seas
Large differences in coverage of coastal vs offshore waters

6. MPA coverage in European Seas, 2012

7. MPA coverage in 2012 – coastal and offshore waters
Member States have designated more sites since 2012 – these will be included in a 2016 update (and every 3 years)

8. Coherence and representativeness of the European MPA network
No agreed EU-wide methodology exists  RSC assessments used supported by Deltares study
According to RSCs, MPA networks cannot be considered or unlikely to be coherent
First signs of coherence in Greater North Sea and to some extent in the Celtic Sea
In the Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean considered most connected

9. Conclusions and outlook
Commission will continue supporting MS:
In the implementation of existing legislation (guidance, common understanding)
In the effective management, establishment of incusive governance, and control of MPAs through N2K biogeographical process and provision of funds
Commission will also:
Work on EU methodology for coherence assessments
Foster research
Ensure EU representation at international processes (OECD, UN IA IN BBNJ)

10. Thank you for your attention!