1. D7 REVIEW PROCESS April-June 2014: February 2015:
PHASE I: COMPILATION OF INFORMATION
PHASE II: CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS
April-June 2014:
Manual prepared by Milieu.
Filled by DG ENV and EC JRC.
July-October 2014:
Amended with comments from MSFD Expert Network on D7.
October 2014:
Presented at 12th MSFD CIS WG GES meeting.
February 2015:
Questionnaires sent to experts.
Answers received and analyzed.
March 2015:
Comments from MSFD Expert Network and DG ENV integrated.
30 March 2015:
Delivery of final template.

2. D7 Basic structure to be retained:
Structure of
the descriptor
Basic structure to be retained:
Spatial characterisation of permanent alteration (7.1)
Status/Pressure
Extent of area/volume affected by permanent alterations (7.1.1)
Impact of hydrographical changes (7.2)
Spatial extent of habitats affected by the permanent alteration (7.2.1)
Changes in habitats that affect the ecosystem, in particular the functions provided (e.g. spawning, breeding and feeding areas and migration routes of fish, birds and mammals), due to altered hydrographical conditions (7.2.2).
Impact

3. D7 GES threshold values D7 Specifications on methods for monitoring
GES threshold values are not defined.
D7 seems to be considered as a qualitative descriptor
Specifications on methods for monitoring
MS should select the appropriate parameters for GES assessment.
MSFD should align with WFD (heavily modified water bodies) developments
Need for common methodology for monitoring and assessment

4. D7 Issue Way forward Timeline Outstanding issues and way forward
Scope and guidance for D7 is lacking
Common guidance needed.
Started 2015.
Baseline, parameters and GES are not well defined
Common understanding and guidance needed.
Harmonization with other EU legislation (WFD, EIA, SEA) is lacking
Harmonized assessment and monitoring of regions under MSFD.
Guidance needed.
Until 2018.
Time and space scales for assessment not defined

5. D7 Issue Way forward Timeline Outstanding issues and way forward
No common understanding for inclusion/exclusion of activities/pressures
Common guidance needed.
Until 2018
Cumulative impacts
(coastal/ territorial, continental shelf) .
Until 2018.
Aggregation of assessments from habitats to ecosystem unclear