1. WG ESA meeting 9th of March 2015
Mapping and assessment of marine ecosystem services and link to Good Environmental Status, MAES (phase 1)
WG ESA meeting
9th of March 2015

2. Main objectives 1. Link MAES & MSFD
Typology (Task 1) and mapping (Task 4) are challenging, many different ‘criteria’ can be developed, leading to different scenarios. Stakeholder input is crucial.
2. Finding a common ground for a conceptual definition of marine MAES
Process is really important (Task 5, 7): outreach to stakeholders, inventory of agreements and differences
3. Connect to previous work through available methodologies and data
Data sources (Task 2) and issues related to data will be studied (Task 3)
Final product: Roadmap (task 6): possible (and likely) way forward
MAES project (phase 1)

3. Ambitions of main stakeholders
1. The MAES framework should eventually be integrated in the work of the EU as well as in the work of the MSs (more long-term)
2. The end goal is to integrate the procedures for marine environmental assessment and mapping in the MSFD and MAES by making the methodologies operational and practical. There is a need to simplify the different processes (‘demystification’ of the feeling that Ecosystem Services are difficult). The consortium will provide guidance on how to do that.
3. The relationship with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) should be clear; what is the relevance of MAES to transitional waters and their ESs?
4. Link should be made to GES and to Blue Growth, thereby also including stakeholders from the sectors in the process. The consortium should also include, if they come across any, some work on ES valuation.
Process is really important!
MAES project (phase 1)

4. Work plan:overview and relations between tasks
MAES project (phase 1)

5. Initial work plan: tasks & planning
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
MAES project (phase 1)

6. Main deliverables & outcome
A guidance on how MAES and the MSFD can be linked, further operationalizing MEAS for the marine environment for the benefit of the EU and it’s main stakeholders
MAES project (phase 1)

7. Questions WG ESA Liaison: Do you want to be involved in this project?
If so, how can we operationalize this?
Recommendations:
What level of detail of recommendations would be useful for you? What are important questions that need to be resolved from your perspective?
MAES-MSFD:
Do you think MAES and MSFD can be linked to achieve additional benefits to both instruments?
If so, what do you think is important in this linking process?
Does focusing on Ecosystem Services change or modify the TARGET values of MSFD indicators and/or impact achieving GES (interaction between ES services goals and targets for GES)?
Which type of NEW (types of) MEASURES (not included in MSFD) need to be taken to safeguard Ecosystem Services?
To what extent have TRANSBOUNDARY ISSUES been taken into account in the MAES process? Which type of Ecosystem Services fall under national jurisdiction and which are common property that need to be assessed between member countries? How does this need to be taken into account when planning and implementing MAES?
Does the MSFD ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT need to be expanded to also include assessment of Ecosystem Services? If so, how?
Which type of information provided by MAES (that are not delivered through the MSFD) will help ACHIEVING ECOSYSTEM BASED MSP?
Which BENEFITS does MAES provide in comparison to implementation of MSFD and MSP directive?
MAES project (phase 1)

8. Questions WG ESA
Which type of NEW INFORMATION on the marine environment – and human activities - needs to be collected when mapping and assessing Ecosystem Services, that are not included in the MSFD?
Ecosystem mapping:
Which tools do you consider relevant for the mapping of marine ecosystems and their services?
Most ecosystem service assessment to date have focused on those provides by benthic habitats. What is your view on regarding pelagic ecosystems?
Is there an ecosystem typology used in your analysis?
Do you have a preference in methodology for assessing ecosystem services?
Is that quantitative / qualitative / or a combination of both?
MAES project (phase 1)