Skip to main content
English en

Select your language

English (Current language)
Close

About MSFD

Marine Strategy Framework Directive

About MCC

Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Competence Centre

  • Contact

MCC activities

Brief statement of the activities of the MSFD Competence Centre partnership

  • MSFD implementation

  • Science & technical Documents

D1 Biological diversity

Biological diversity is maintained. The quality and occurrence of habitats and the distribution and abundance of species are in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & methodological standards

  • Monitoring & assessment

  • Science for MSFD

D2 Non-indigenous species

Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystems.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & Methodological standards

  • Monitoring & assessment

  • Science for MSFD

D3 Fisheries

Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & methodological standards

  • Monitoring & assessment

D4 Food webs

All elements of the marine food webs, to the extent that they are known, occur at normal abundance and diversity and levels capable of ensuring the long-term abundance of the species and the retention of their full reproductive capacity.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & methodological standards

D5 Eutrophication

Human-induced eutrophication is minimised, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algae blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & Methodological Standards

  • Monitoring & Assessment

  • Science for MSFD

D6 Sea-floor integrity

Sea-floor integrity is at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of the ecosystems are safeguarded and benthic ecosystems, in particular, are not adversely affected.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & methodological standards

  • Monitoring & assessment

  • Science for MSFD

D7 Hydrographical conditions

Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect marine ecosystems.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & methodological standards

  • Monitoring & assessment

D8 Contaminants

Concentrations of contaminants are at levels not giving rise to pollution effects

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & methodological standards

  • - Marine relevant contaminants

  • - Chemical contaminants from sea-based sources

  • - List of potential marine contaminants

  • - Contaminants considered for 2018 MSFD D8 reporting

  • - Support to the harmonization of MSFD D8 methodological standards

  • Monitoring & assessment

  • Science for MSFD

D9 Contaminants in seafood

Contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption do not exceed levels established by Community legislation or other relevant standards.

  • Implementation

  • Criteria & methodological standards

  • Monitoring & assessment

  • Science for MSFD

D10 Marine litter

Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment

  • Implementation

  • Methodological standards

  • Science for MSFD

D11 Energy and Noise

Introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment

  • Implementation

  • Methodological standards

  • Science for MSFD

TG Litter

TG Litter is a technical group under the MSFD Common Implementation Strategy

  • Online Photo Catalogue of the Joint List of Litter Categories

  • TG Litter Annual Meetings

  • Review of the ComDec 2010/477/EU

  • Identifying Sources of Marine Litter

  • Harm caused by Marine Litter

  • Marine Litter - Technical Recommendations

  • Guidance for the Monitoring of Marine Litter

  • Monitoring of Riverine Litter

  • Top Marine Beach Litter Items

  • EU Marine Beach Litter Baselines

  • Marine Litter Threshold Values

  • EU Threshold Value for Macro Litter on Coastlines

  • Joint List of Litter Categories Manual

  • List of Marine Litter Research Projects

  • Monitoring of Floating Marine Macro Litter

  • Guidance on the Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas

  • European Coastline Macro Litter Trends 2015 - 2021

Calendar: Events & Meetings

The MCC calendrier aims to provide an overview of meetings, conferences and events related to the MSFD, related policies and the marine sciences.
Glossary
Document Repository
Maps
Modelling framework
Contact
You are here:
  1. European Commission
  2. EU Science Hub
  3. MSFD Competence Centre
  4. TG Litter
  • Online Photo Catalogue of the Joint List of Litter Categories
  • TG Litter Annual Meetings
  • Review of the ComDec 2010/477/EU
  • Identifying Sources of Marine Litter
  • Harm caused by Marine Litter
  • Marine Litter - Technical Recommendations
  • Guidance for the Monitoring of Marine Litter
  • Monitoring of Riverine Litter
  • Top Marine Beach Litter Items
  • EU Marine Beach Litter Baselines
  • Marine Litter Threshold Values
  • EU Threshold Value for Macro Litter on Coastlines
  • Joint List of Litter Categories Manual
  • List of Marine Litter Research Projects
  • Monitoring of Floating Marine Macro Litter
  • Guidance on the Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas
  • European Coastline Macro Litter Trends 2015 - 2021
  • Glossary
  • Modelling framework
  • About this site
  • Cookies
  • Legal notice
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • © European Commission 2025