University of Hull research has led to more robust implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and harmonisation of monitoring approaches within EU Member States.
Issue
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) of EU seas by 2020 and to protect the natural system in supporting marine-related economic and social activities. GES is defined as where the marine waters provide ecologically diverse and dynamic oceans and seas which are clean, healthy and productive.
Approach
The original Directive came into force in 2008 and was implemented in a stepwise manner in order to achieve GES by 2020. The University of Hull has contributed to research on the definition and interpretation of GES and on the development and evaluation of indicators for the assessment of GES, supporting MSFD implementation.
Impact
The research generated change to EU policy by highlighting inadequacies in the MSFD which led to a technical review of the Directive and a major policy update.
The research also provided tools for delivering GES, for example the Nested Environmental Status Assessment Tool (NEAT) which provides the integrated, consistent and comparative assessment of biodiversity status across European regional seas.
More information
Institution: University of Hull
Researchers: Professor Mike Elliott Dr Krysia Mazik Sue Boyes Dr Daryl Burdon