1. D5 EUTROPHICATION REVIEW PROCESS
March 2014:
Draft Manual endorsed by WG GES
June 2014:
Manual prepared by Milieu.
Filled by DG ENV and EC JRC.
September 2014:
Amended with comments from MSFD CC Expert Group on Eutrophication
February 2015:
Amended with comments from GES considering also the directions from the cross-cutting workshop
April 2015:
Amended with comments received from Expert Group and DG ENV
Add version sent to GES in October 2014
April 2015
Final report to CIRCABC for the WG GES meeting.
20 November 2018

2. D5 EUTROPHICATION Key recommendations
To be kept
Normative GES definition “Human-induced eutrophication is minimised , especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters”
number and structure of criteria from the pressure (nutrients 5.1) to the direct (5.2) and indirect effects (5.3)
To be changed
- Core set of indicators to be used by all MS (minimum requirements): Nutrient concentrations (5.1.1), Chlorophyll-a (5.2.1), water transparency (5.2.2), Oxygen level (5.3.2)
Strengthen links with WFD: MSFD assessment in coastal water bodies integrating WFD BQE
Strengthen links with RSCs: MSFD assessment in offshore waters using RSCs methodological standards (core indicators + secondary elements) to accommodate for (sub) regional specificities
20 November 2018

3. D5 EUTROPHICATION Outstanding issues
How to handle assessment in coastal waters where both WFD and MSFD apply to avoid differences in the final classification for D5
discussions and testing of different options are on-going in the frame of RSCs (e.g. HELCOM EUTRO-OPER, OSPAR ICG EUT working group). Recommendation may come out soon from these groups. Also, ECOSTAT, together with CEN, are working out new/revised standards (including nutrients) to achieve GEcS in coastal waters. These new standards may be considered for MSFD assessment in these waters
Harmonization of measurements and metrics for core indicators
guidance may be needed to harmonize as much as possible methods to measure the same parameters, particularly those commonly used (e.g. nutrients, chlorophyll, water transparency, oxygen)
Aggregation rules (specifically across criteria) and threshold setting
further guidance needed to aggregate across criteria for pressure-based descriptor
discussions and testing of different options are on-going in the frame of RSCs (e.g. HELCOM EUTRO-OPER, OSPAR ICG EUT working group). Recommendation may come out soon from these groups. Also, ECOSTAT, together with CEN, are working out new/revised standards (including nutrients) to achieve GEcS in coastal waters. These new standards may be considered for MSFD assessment in these waters.
guidance may be needed to harmonize as much as possible methods to measure the same parameters, particularly those commonly used (e.g. nutrients, chlorophyll, water transparency, oxygen)
Further guidance needed to aggregate across criteria for pressure-based descriptor

4. D5 eutrophication Issue Way forward Timeline
Outstanding issues
and way forward
Issue
Way forward
Timeline
how to handle assessment in coastal waters where both WFD and MSFD apply to avoid differences in the final classification for D5
Workshop with D5 expert group (+ thematic experts) on outstanding issues
follow-up with ECOSTAT group on methodological standards for coastal waters and intercalibration outcomes (JRC)
1st week of July ???? /
End of 2018
Harmonization of measurements and metrics for core indicators
follow-up with RSCs activities on regional harmonization
discussions and testing of different options are on-going in the frame of RSCs (e.g. HELCOM EUTRO-OPER, OSPAR ICG EUT working group). Recommendation may come out soon from these groups. Also, ECOSTAT, together with CEN, are working out new/revised standards (including nutrients) to achieve GEcS in coastal waters. These new standards may be considered for MSFD assessment in these waters.
guidance may be needed to harmonize as much as possible methods to measure the same parameters, particularly those commonly used (e.g. nutrients, chlorophyll, water transparency, oxygen)
Further guidance needed to aggregate across criteria for pressure-based descriptor
20 November 2018

5. D5 eutrophication Issue Way forward Timeline
Outstanding issues
and way forward
Issue
Way forward
Timeline
Aggregation rules (specifically across criteria) and threshold setting
Workshop with D5 expert group (+ thematic experts) on outstanding issues
1st week of July ????
Harmonization across Descriptors on assessment elements (cross-cutting issue; interaction with state descriptors expert group)
interaction with state descriptors expert group
Recommendation of monitoring methods for D5 (based on assessment of Art.11 reports)
Consideration of Art. 12 reports for MSs Art. 11 reporting
End 2015
Explore and improve modelling capabilities for assessment of impacts for eutrophication and spatial identification of D5-related pressure
MCC- Modeling toolbox and RSCs related activities
20 November 2018