1. Towards coordinated monitoring in the European Regional Seas
Experiences from the three New Knowledge pilot projects:
BALSAM, IRIS-SES and JMP NS/CS
October 2013 – May 2015
Pilot project
Coordinator
Current contact
JMP NS/CS
Lisette Enserink
Lisette Enserink;
IRIS-SES
Kalliopi Pagou
Kalliopi Pagou;
BALSAM
Johanna Karhu
Ulla Li Zweifel;
European Water and Marine Directors ( / ), Amsterdam

2. 3 Pilot Projects funded (2 M€) by the DG ENV programme:
“New Knowledge for an integrated management of human activities in the sea” PP/ENV D2/SEA
Pilot Projects to support MSFD implementation
By developing strategies for joint monitoring programmes based on existing sampling
At sea-region scales and involving Regional Sea Conventions
Cross-regional cooperation between pilot projects
Why joint monitoring?
MSFD Art 12 assessment calls for more coherence between Member States
Increased monitoring requirements within same (or less) budget
Opportunities to liaise with fisheries monitoring and to use innovative techniques
European Water and Marine Directors ( / ), Amsterdam

3. European Water and Marine Directors (09-06-2016 / 10-06-2016), Amsterdam

4. Strengthening Regional collaboration
Operational networks to move towards joint monitoring
Within Regional Sea Conventions and between Regions
Accessible Meta-data bases containing information on gap analysis and assessment of current MSFD monitoring in 5 European Seas
Common language and checklist for joint monitoring
Monitoring guidelines for better coherence
European Water and Marine Directors ( / ), Amsterdam

5. Tools to support coordinated and cost-effective monitoring
(examples)
Online platform to share information on monitoring vessels
Intelligent tools to optimise use of resources (GIS, decision making tool)
Integrated ecosystem surveys using commercial fish surveys
Use of earth observation for MSFD monitoring
European Water and Marine Directors ( / ), Amsterdam

6. Follow-up in RSCs HELCOM:
Guidelines for monitoring of waterbirds→ first coordinated counting of waterbirds wintering in the Baltic Sea in 2015/2016.
HELCOM Recommendations on coordinated use of research vessels adopted in 2016
Finnish research vessel to monitor Finnish and Swedish waters.
UNEP/MAP and BSC:
Joint meetings and work to incorporate IRIS-SES proposals in BSIMAP
ActionMed project involving UNEP/MAP will further build on IRIS-SES outcomes
OSPAR:
Investigates use of earth observation data in eutrophication (chlorophyll) assessment
Collaboration with ICES on combined monitoring for fisheries and biodiversity (eg. Benthic fauna)
European Water and Marine Directors ( / ), Amsterdam

7. Actions requested Marine Directors are invited to:
Note and use the main findings of the pilot projects to improve coherence in implementing the MSFD and increase cost-effectiveness;
Support the further development of coordinated and integrated monitoring activities, for example multi-use of fish surveys, shared information on programmes and deployment of new techniques that decrease the cost of monitoring;
Provide a firm basis for international collaboration by:
Funding joint monitoring activities, according to the needs of marine regions,
Provide continued support for development of joint assessment frameworks in the RSCs,
Seeking operational collaboration with neighbouring countries.
Make use of and find a home for the meta-databases (especially for JMP NS/CS & IRIS-SES) in coherence with the information strategies of the RSCs
European Water and Marine Directors ( / ), Amsterdam

8. Thank you!
European Water and Marine Directors ( / ), Amsterdam