1. Focus on what’s really important
Input for the strategic discussion on CIS MSFD,
MSCG 4-5/2/2013
Wim van Urk,
Netherlands delegation
29 April 2019

2. Looking back: some personal observations (1)
On the plus – side:
+ Tightening working plan, increasing strategical focus
+ Working together on common understanding
+ Taking on emerging issues: marine litter, underwater noise, cumulation, climate change, acidification
+ Bridging between MSFD, WFD, BHD, Biodiversity Strategy
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
29 April 2019

3. Looking back: some personal observations (2)
However, on the down-side:
Loosing a lot of time and energy on harmonization, definitions and detail
Enough risk based approach, targeted action? Do we realise enough what’s already being done witihin existing policy/legislation/conventions related to GES?
Not working from the heart of the MSFD: focus on what needs to be done to reach good environmental status
In the mean while: difficult to explain to our politicians and civilians “what we are doing in Brussels”
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
29 April 2019

4. Looking forward: some input for discussion
Focus on proportionality and subsidiarity, from the heart of the directive:
Art. 1.1: Member states shall take the necessary measures
Art 1.3: Management of human activities
Art 3.5: GES at regional or sub regional level, adaptive management
Art Art. 6: MS sharing a (sub) region shall cooperate to ensure that measures and elements of the marine strategy are coherent and coordinated, using existing cooperation structures including RSC’s
Art. 8.1 (b): predominant pressures and impacts
14.4: risk based approach to all elements of the Marine Strategy
Art 8.2/ComDec A2, Art. 13.2: Taking into account assessments and relevant measures under other EU-legislation and regional conventions
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
29 April 2019

5. Hints for focus on future CIS-work
Risk based approach
(sub) regional coordination
taking account of other legislation and convention
What is the focus of the Commission itself:
7th EAP, MSFD-implementation:
focus on sustainable fishery (CFP) and litter, beside implementation of other EU-legislation/policy
Regional action plans
So, what should our focus in the CIS-MSFD be?
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
29 April 2019