D5 Implementation

Processes and activities under the implementation

Task groups
This report presents the findings of the task group addressing Descriptor 5 with the aim of establishing the criteria and methodological standards that Member States would need to assess the state of their marine and coastal waters and to achieve Good Environmental Status with regard to eutrophication.
In-depth assessment
List of key issues derived from the JRC in-depth assessment of the Member States' submissions for MSFD articles 8, 9 and 10 on eutrophication.
Review of the commission decision 2010/477/EU
The review has been carried out by the EC JRC together with experts nominated by EU Member States, and has considered contributions from the GES Working Group in accordance with the roadmap set out in the MSFD implementation strategy (agreed on at the 11th CIS MSCG meeting). The associated report represents the result of the scientific and technical review of Commission Decision 2010/477/EU in relation to Descriptor 5.
WFD-MSFD interactions
The main issues addressed in the guidance document are a unified conceptual framework to understand eutrophication in all water categories, a conceptual read across EU directives and international policies. The guidance also includes an overview of current assessment methods and recommendations for harmonization of classification criteria.
Objectives of the workshop:
  • Compare nutrient boundaries used by member states to support WFD Good Ecological Status and MSFD Good Environmental Status
  • Assess methodology to set nutrient boundaries according to pressure-response relationships.
The report summarizes the results of an investigation conducted at the member states level on the boundaries for nutrients, methods to define these boundaries and reference conditions, and use of nutrient classification in the assessment of ecological status (WFD) / eutrophication status (MSFD).