1. An Introduction to STAGES
November 2012

2. 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

3. 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.

4. DURATION: 1/9/12 – 31/8/14

5. 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!

6. For more information:
Project Coordinator
Marisa Fernandez Cañamero
CETMAR
Tel Ext. 102

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Objective 1) Outputs

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

13. 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

14. Objective 2) Outputs

15. 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

16. 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

17. Objective 3) Outputs