Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T21:45:21.394Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A comparison of the degree of implementation of marine biodiversity indicators by European countries in relation to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2015

Herman Hummel*
Affiliation:
Monitor Taskforce, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke, the Netherlands
Matt Frost
Affiliation:
Marine Biological Association, Plymouth, UK
José A. Juanes
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Judith Kochmann
Affiliation:
Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Carlos F. Castellanos Perez Bolde
Affiliation:
University of Bologna, Polo di Ravenna, Italy
Fernando Aneiros
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain
François Vandenbosch
Affiliation:
Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 6, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France CNRS, UMR7144 AD2M, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
João N. Franco
Affiliation:
CIIMAR, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Porto, Portugal
Beatriz Echavarri
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Xabier Guinda
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Araceli Puente
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Camino Fernández
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Cristina Galván
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Maria Merino
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Elvira Ramos
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Paloma Fernández
Affiliation:
Environmental Hydraulics Institute (IH Cantabria), Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
Valentina Pitacco
Affiliation:
NIB, Marine Biology Station, Piran, Slovenia
Madara Alberte
Affiliation:
Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Riga, Latvia
Dagmara Wojcik
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Ecology of Marine Organisms, Institute of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland
Monika Grabowska
Affiliation:
Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
Marlene Jahnke
Affiliation:
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
Fabio Crocetta
Affiliation:
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
Laura Carugati
Affiliation:
Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
Simonetta Scorrano
Affiliation:
University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Simonetta Fraschetti
Affiliation:
University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Patricia Pérez García
Affiliation:
Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
José Antonio Sanabria Fernández
Affiliation:
Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain The BITES lab, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Blanes, Spain
Artem Poromov
Affiliation:
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Anna Iurchenko
Affiliation:
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Artem Isachenko
Affiliation:
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Alexandra Chava
Affiliation:
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Christina Pavloudi
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
François Bordeyne
Affiliation:
Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 6, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France CNRS, UMR7144 AD2M, Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France
Simone Fie Andersen
Affiliation:
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Elizabeth Grace Tunka Eronat
Affiliation:
Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
Taylan Cakmak
Affiliation:
Department of Nematology, Faculty of Biology, University of Ghent, Belgium
Paraskevi Louizidou
Affiliation:
Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Rhodes, Greece
José Rico
Affiliation:
Departamento de Biología de Organismos y Sistemas, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
Stela Ruci
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
David Corta Diego
Affiliation:
Ecohydros S.L., Santander, Spain
Sara Mendez
Affiliation:
University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
Maria Rousou
Affiliation:
Marine & Environmental Research Lab Ltd, Nicosia, Cyprus
Laurence de Clippele
Affiliation:
Centre for Marine Biodiversity & Biotechnology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK
Annukka Eriksson
Affiliation:
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Marine Centre, Helsinki, Finland
Winnie van Zanten
Affiliation:
University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Anna Diamant
Affiliation:
Institute of Hydrobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Valentina Kirienko Fernandes de Matos
Affiliation:
Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Azores, Portugal
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: H. Hummel, Monitor Taskforce, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Yerseke, the Netherlands email: [email protected]

Abstract

The degree of development and operability of the indicators for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) using Descriptor 1 (D1) Biological Diversity was assessed. To this end, an overview of the relevance and degree of operability of the underlying parameters across 20 European countries was compiled by analysing national directives, legislation, regulations, and publicly available reports. Marked differences were found between countries in the degree of ecological relevance as well as in the degree of implementation and operability of the parameters chosen to indicate biological diversity. The best scoring EU countries were France, Germany, Greece and Spain, while the worst scoring countries were Italy and Slovenia. No country achieved maximum scores for the implementation of MSFD D1. The non-EU countries Norway and Turkey score as highly as the top-scoring EU countries. On the positive side, the chosen parameters for D1 indicators were generally identified as being an ecologically relevant reflection of Biological Diversity. On the negative side however, less than half of the chosen parameters are currently operational. It appears that at a pan-European level, no consistent and harmonized approach currently exists for the description and assessment of marine biological diversity. The implementation of the MSFD Descriptor 1 for Europe as a whole can therefore at best be marked as moderately successful.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Anistratenko, V.V., Anistratenko, O. and Haliman, I.A. (2007) The composition of the mollusk fauna of the Azov Sea as a function of its salinity regime. Reports of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine 4, 161166. [In Russian]Google Scholar
Anonymous (1985) Environmental studies in engineering prospecting on the continental shelf. RD 51 11-01-85, 110 pp. [In Russian].Google Scholar
Anonymous (2010) Ley 41/2010, de 29 de diciembre, de protección del medio marino. Boletín Oficial del Estado, Núm. 317 (Jueves 30 de diciembre de 2010), Sec. I., 108464–108488.Google Scholar
Arcos, J.M., Bécares, J., Cama, A. and Rodríguez, B. (2012) Estrategias Marinas. Grupo Aves. Evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. de Armas, D., Bellas, J. & de Sola, L. Gil (Coords.). Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría General Técnica, Centro de Publicaciones. Madrid, 296 pp.Google Scholar
Aslaksen, I., Framstad, E., Garnåsjordet, P.A., Nybø, S. and Skarpaas, O. (2012) Knowledge gathering and communication on biodiversity: developing the Norwegian Nature Index. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift – Norwegian Journal of Geography 66, 300308.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aslaksen, I. and Garnåsjordet, P.A. (2012) The Norwegian Nature Index. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift – Norwegian Journal of Geography 66, 239240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Belgische Staat (2012) Omschrijving van Goede Milieutoestand en vaststelling van Milieudoelen voor de Belgische mariene wateren. Kaderrichtlijn Mariene Strategie – Art 9 & 10. BMM, Federale Overheidsdienst Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de Voedselketen en Leefmilieu, Brussel, België, 34 pp.Google Scholar
BLMP (2014) Entwicklung nationaler Indikatorlisten für die Nord- und Ostsee, Sachstand 07.03.2014. Bund-Länder Messprogramm, 11 pp.Google Scholar
BMUB (2014a) Reporting requirement on monitoring programmes under MSFD Article 11 (Baltic Sea). Federal Ministry for the Environment, Building, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Web questionnaire with reporting date: 2014-–0–15 (with amendments to D10 from 2014–11–5) (http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/de/eu/msfd_mp/balde), 73 pp. [Partially in German]Google Scholar
BMUB (2014b) Reporting requirement on monitoring programmes under MSFD Article 11 (The Greater North Sea, including the Kattegat, and the English Channel). Federal Ministry for the Environment, Building, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Web questionnaire with reporting date: 2014–10–15 (with amendments to D10 from 2014–11–5) (http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/de/eu/msfd_mp/ansde), 73 pp. [Partially in German]Google Scholar
BMUB (2014c) Umsetzung der Meeresstrategie-Rahmenrichtlinie RICHTLINIE 2008/56/EG zur Schaffung eines Ordnungsrahmens für Maßnahmen der Gemeinschaft im Bereich der Meeresumwelt (Meeresstrategie-Rahmenrichtlinie). Überwachungsprogramme gemäß § 45f Abs. 1 WHG zur Umsetzung von Art. 11 MSRL – Teil A – Rahmenkonzept. Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit. Referat WA I 5 Meeresumweltschutz, Internationales Recht des Schutzes der marinen Gewässer, 104 pp.Google Scholar
Borja, Á., Galparsoro, I., Irigoien, X., Iriondo, A., Menchaca, I., Muxika, I., Pascual, M., Quincoces, I., Revilla, M., Rodríguez, J.G., Santurtún, M., Solaun, O., Uriarte, A., Valencia, V. and Zorita, I. (2011) Implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive: a methodological approach for the assessment of environmental status, from the Basque Country (Bay of Biscay). Marine Pollution Bulletin 62, 889904.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burrows, M.T., Mieszkowska, N. and Hawkins, S.J. (2014a) Marine Strategy Framework Directive Indicators for UK Rocky Shores. Part 1: Defining and validating the indicators. JNCC Report, 522, SAMS/MBA/NOCS for JNCC, JNCC Peterborough, 98 pp.Google Scholar
Burrows, M.T., Smale, D., O'connor, N. and Van Rein, H. (2014b) Marine Strategy Framework Directive Indicators for UK Kelp Habitats. Part 1: Developing proposals for potential indicators. JNCC Report, 525, SAMS/MBA/QUB/UAber for JNCC, JNCC Peterborough, 80 pp.Google Scholar
Certain, G., Skarpaas, O., Bjerke, J.W., Framstad, E. and Lindholm, M. (2011) The Nature Index: a general framework for synthesizing knowledge on the state of biodiversity. PLoS ONE 6, e18930.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cima, F. and Ballarin, L. (2013) A proposed integrated bioindex for the macrofouling biocoenosis of hard substrata in the lagoon of Venice. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 130, 190201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cochrane, S.K.J., Connor, D.W., Nilsson, P., Mitchell, I., Reker, J., Franco, J., Valavanis, V., Moncheva, S., Ekebom, J., Nygaard, K., Serrão Santos, R., Narberhaus, I., Packeiser, T., van de Bund, W. and Cardoso, A.C. (2010) Marine Strategy Framework Directive – Task Group 1 Report Biological Diversity. JRC Scientific and Technical Reports, Joint Research Centre, EUR 24337, 111 pp.Google Scholar
Cook, A.S.C.P., Ross-Smith, V.H. and Robinson, R.A. (2012) Development of MSFD indicators, baselines and target for seabird breeding failure occurrence in the UK. BTO Research Report, 615, British Trust for Ornithology for JNCC, JNCC Peterborough, 94 pp.Google Scholar
COREM (2012) La tutela della biodiversità marina in Mediterraneo, esperienze a confronto. Progetto COREM “Cooperacione delle Reti Ecologiche del Mediterraneo”, Portoferraio, 30 pp.Google Scholar
DEFRA (2014) Marine strategy part two: UK marine monitoring programmes. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 86 pp.Google Scholar
DFMR (2012a) Initial assessment of the marine environment of Cyprus, Part I – characteristics: implementation of Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus, 273 pp.Google Scholar
DFMR (2012b) Determination of good environmental status of the marine environment of Cyprus: Implementation of Article 9 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus, 90 pp.Google Scholar
DFMR (2012c) Environmental targets and associated indicators. Implementation of Article 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus, 33 pp.Google Scholar
DFMR (2014a) Revision of reports prepared in 2012 for the implementation of Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus, 74 pp.Google Scholar
DFMR (2014b) Report on the monitoring programmes of Cyprus in the framework of the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Nicosia, Cyprus, 154 pp.Google Scholar
DME (2012) Danmarks Havstrategi – Miljømålsrapport. Danish Ministry of the Environment, Nature Agency, 46 pp.Google Scholar
DME (2014) Danmarks Havstrategi – Overvågningsprogram. Danish Ministry of the Environment, Nature Agency, 53 pp.Google Scholar
Dupont, C., Belin, A., Vermonden, B., Moreira, G., Cochrane, S., Wilson, L., Emblow, C., Kater, B., Des Clercs, S., Parr, W., Le Visage, C., Green, N., Cools, J., Thomsen, F. (2014) Article 12 Technical assessment of the MSFD 2012 obligations. Brussels: Milieu Ltd, 67 pp.Google Scholar
État Belge (2012) Définition du bon état écologique et définition d'objectifs environnementaux pour les eaux marines Belges. Directive-cadre Stratégie pour le milieu marin – Art 9 & 10. Bruxelles: UGMM, Service Public Fédéral Santé publique, Sécurité de la Chaîne alimentaire et Environnement, 32 pp.Google Scholar
European Commission (2011) Relationship between the initial assessment of marine waters and the criteria for good environmental status. Commission staff working paper. European Commission, Brussels. SEC (2011) 1255 final, 95 pp.Google Scholar
European Commission (2012) Links between the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD 2008/56/EC) and the Nature Directives (Birds Directive 2009/147/EEC (BD) and Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC (HD)). Interactions, overlaps and potential areas for closer coordination. Brussels: European Commission, 31 pp.Google Scholar
Fariñas-Franco, J.M., Pearce, B., Porter, J., Harries, D., Mair, J.M., Woolmer, A.S. and Sanderson, W.G. (2014) Marine Strategy Framework Directive Indicators for Biogenic Reefs formed by Modiolus modiolus, Mytilus edulis and Sabellaria spinulosa. Part 1: Defining and Validating the Indicators. JNCC Report, 523. Peterborough: Heriot Watt University for JNCC, 276 pp.Google Scholar
Gil, J., Ramos, F., Jiménez, M.P., Silva, L., Baldó, F., Farias, C., Sobrino, I., Burgos, C., Serrano, A., Velasco, F., Punzón, A., Tello, O., Lens, S., Macías, D., Bellas, J., Coján, M., Aguirre, E., Módica, L., González-Irusta, J.M. and Díaz, V. (2012) Estrategia Marina. Demarcación Marina Sudatlántica. Parte IV. Descriptores del buen estado ambiental. Descriptor 1: Biodiversidad. Evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. de Armas, D. & Bellas, J. (Coords.). Madrid: Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría General Técnica, Centro de Publicaciones, 425 pp.Google Scholar
Gil de Sola, L., Serrano, A., Velasco, F., Punzón, A., Preciado, I., Ordines, F., Ruiz, J.M., Acosta, J., Lens, S., Macías, D., Tello, O., González-Irusta, J.M., García, J.E., Módica, L. and Díaz, V. (2012) Estrategia Marina. Demarcación Marina del Estrecho y Alborán. Parte IV. Descriptores del buen estado ambiental. Descriptor 1: Biodiversidad. Evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. de Armas, D. & Bellas, J. (Coords.). Madrid: Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría General Técnica, Centro de Publicaciones, 615 pp.Google Scholar
Gladilina, E.V. (2010) Observations of cetaceans (Cetacea) in the waters of Karadag nature reserve and the adjacent waters. Scientific Notes of Taurida V.I. Vernadsky National University. Series: Biology, Chemistry 25, 5159. [In Russian]Google Scholar
Guérin, L., Feunteun, E., Gremare, A., Beauvais, S., Gailhard-Rocher, I., Grall, J., Labrune, C., Laurand, S., Lavesque, N., Lejart, M., Paillet, J., Personnic, S., Quemmerais-Amice, F., Sterckeman, A., Robinet, T. and You, H. (2013). Définition du programme de surveillance et plan d'acquisition de connaissances pour la DCSMM: propositions scientifiques et techniques (chantier 2). Thématique 1: Biodiversité. MNHN-Service des stations marines, RESOMAR, AAMP, 212 pp. plus annexes.Google Scholar
Guide to hydrological work in the oceans and seas (1977). Leningrad: Gidrometeoizdat, 725 pp. [In Russian]Google Scholar
Haynes, T., Bell, J., Saunders, G., Irving, R., Williams, J. and Bell, G. (2014) Marine Strategy Framework Directive shallow sublittoral rock indicators for fragile sponges and anthozoan assemblages. Part 1: developing proposals for potential indicators. JNCC Report, 524. Peterborough: Nature Bureau and Environment Systems Ltd. for JNCC, 85 pp.Google Scholar
Heip, C. and Mcdonough, N. (2012) Marine biodiversity: a science roadmap for Europe. Marine Board Future Science Brief 1. Ostend: European Marine Board, 36 pp.Google Scholar
Hernández, C.L., Serrano, A., García-Santamaría, M.T., Perales, C., Martín-Sosa, P., Alayón, P.P., Jiménez, S., Tello, O., Lens, S., Macías, D., González, J.G., Rodríguez, J.E. and Díaz, V. (2012) Estrategia Marina. Demarcación Marina Canaria. Parte IV. Descriptores del buen estado ambiental. Descriptor 1: Biodiversidad. Evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. de Armas, D. & Bellas, J. (Coords.). Madrid: Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría General Técnica, Centro de Publicaciones, 264 pp.Google Scholar
ICES (2013). Report of the Joint ICES/OSPAR Expert Group on Seabirds (WGBIRD), 22–25 October 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark. ICES CM 2013/ACOM:78, 77 pp.Google Scholar
ISPRA (2013). Proposte per la definizione del buono stato ambientle e dei traguardi ambientali. Descrittore 1 Biodiversità. ISPRA, 110 pp.Google Scholar
Krzymiński, W. (2013) Wstępna ocena stanu środowiska wód morskich polskiej strefy Morza Bałtyckiego. Raport do Komisji Europejskiej. Departament monitoringu i informacji o środowisku, GIOŚ, 463 pp.Google Scholar
Krzymiński, W. (2014) Zestaw właściwości typowych dla dobrego stanu środowiska wód morskich. Raport do Komisji Europejskiej. [Set of features peculiar to good condition of marine water environment. Report to European Commission.] Departament monitoringu i informacji o środowisku, GIOŚ, 21 pp.Google Scholar
LHEI (2012) Jūras stratēǵijas pamatdirektīva 2008/56/EK. Jūras vides stāvokļa sākotnējais novērtējums – Laba vides stāvokļa kritēriji, indikatori un vērtējums Rīgas līcim un Baltijas jūrai. Rīga: Latvijas Hidroekoloǵijas institūts, 18 pp.Google Scholar
LHEI (2014) Latvijas piekrastes un pārejas ūdeņu (Baltijas jūras) bioloǵisko kvalitātes elementu (fitoplanktona, makrofītu, bentosa bezmugurkaulnieku faunas, zivju) klašu robežu izstrāde (ES Ūdens Struktūrdirektīva 2000/60/EK). Projekta ziņojums. Rīga: Latvijas Hidroekoloǵijas institūts, 45 pp.Google Scholar
Losovskaya, G.V. (2005) Change of some parameters (dominance and diversity) for the species structure of the Mytilus galloprovincialis biocenosis under hypoxic and fish die-off conditions in the north-western part of the Black Sea. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones and Complex use of Shelf Resources 12, 574580. [In Russian]Google Scholar
MAGRAMA (2014) Estrategias Marinas. VI. Programas de Seguimiento. Documento 1: Indicadores. Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente. 92 pp plus annexes.Google Scholar
MAMAOT (2012) Estratégia Marinha para a subdivisão do Continente. Diretiva Quadro Estratégia Marinha. Ministério da Agricultura, do Mar, do Ambiente e do Ordenamento do Território, Portugal, 930 pp.Google Scholar
MAMAOT (2014) Estratégias Marinhas para as Àguas Marinhas Portuguesas. Versão para consulta pública Outubro de 2014. Diretiva Quadro Estratégia Marinha. Ministério da Agricultura, do Mar, do Ambiente e do Ordenamento do Território, Portugal, 164 pp.Google Scholar
MARMONI (2014) List of new, innovative and cost-effective indicators for monitoring biodiversity in the Baltic Sea. MARMONI project report. Baltic Environmental Forum, 164 pp.Google Scholar
MATTM (2009) Convenzione sulla Diversità Biologica – 4o Rapporto Nazionale. Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, Italy, 138 pp.Google Scholar
MATTM (2010) La Strategia Nazionale per la Biodiversità. Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, Italy, 204 pp.Google Scholar
MEECC (2014) National strategy & action plan for biodiversity [In Greek]. Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Greece, 130 pp.Google Scholar
MENRU (2010) The Convention about biodiversity. The forth national report of Ukraine. Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Kiev, 80 pp. [In Russian]Google Scholar
MFWM (2008) National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Ankara: Ministry of Forest and Water Management, General Directorate of Natural Conservation and National Parks, 176 pp [In Turkish]Google Scholar
MIE (2012) Marine Strategy for the Netherlands part of the North Sea 2012–2020, Part 1. Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, 140 pp.Google Scholar
MIE (2014) The Draft Marine Strategy for the Dutch part of the North Sea 2012–2020, Part 2. MSFD Monitoring Programme version 04.02.2014. Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, 21 pp.Google Scholar
Mikhalev, Y.A. (2008) Characteristics of distribution of the common dolphins, Delphinus delphis (Cetacea), in the Black Sea. Vestnik zoologii 42, 325337. [In Russian]Google Scholar
Milieu (2014a) Article 12 Technical Assessment of the MSFD 2012 obligations. National Report: Italy. Brussels: Milieu Ltd, 46 pp.Google Scholar
Milieu (2014b) Article 12 Technical Assessment of the MSFD 2012 obligations. National Report: Spain. Brussels: Milieu Ltd, 69 pp.Google Scholar
Munari, C. and Mistri, M. (2010). Towards the application of the Water Framework Directive in Italy: assessing the potential of benthic tools in Adriatic coastal transitional ecosystems. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60, 10401050.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nybø, S., Certain, G. and Skarpaas, O. (2011) The Norwegian Nature Index 2010. DN-report, 2011, 1, 24 pp.Google Scholar
Nybø, S., Certain, G. and Skarpaas, O. (2012) The Norwegian Nature Index – state and trends of biodiversity in Norway. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift – Norwegian Journal of Geography 66, 241249.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
OSPAR Commission (2012a) MSFD Advice Manual and Background Document on Biodiversity. A living document – Version 3.2 of 5 March 2012. Approaches to determining Good Environmental Status, setting of environmental targets and selecting indicators for Marine Strategy Framework Directive descriptors 1, 2, 4 and 6. OSPAR Commission Publication, 581, 141 pp.Google Scholar
OSPAR Commission (2012b) Report of the OSPAR workshop on MSFD biodiversity descriptors: comparison of targets and associated indicators. OSPAR Commission Publication, 575, 56 pp.Google Scholar
OSPAR Commission (2013) OSPAR special request on review of the technical specification and application of common indicators under D1, D2, D4 and D6. ICES Advice, 1, 14 pp.Google Scholar
Palialexis, A., Tornero, V., Barbone, E., Gonzalez, D., Hanke, G., Cardoso, A.C., Hoepffner, N., Katsanevakis, S., Somma, F. and Zampoukas, N. (2014) In-depth assessment of the EU member states’ submissions for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive under articles 8, 9 and 10. Luxembourg: Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, 153 pp.Google Scholar
Peterlin, M., Bremec, U., Centa, M., Bruderman, B., Gabrijelčič, E., Gosar, L., Kramar, M., Mohorko, T., Palatinus, A., Petelin, Š., Urbanič, G., Orlando-Bonaca, M., Lipej, L., Malej, A., Francé, J., Čermelj, B., Bajt, O., Kovač, N., Mavrič, B., Turk, V., Mozetič, P., Ramšak, A., Kogovšek, T., Šiško, M., Flander Putrle, V., Grego, M., Tinta, T., Petelin, B., Vodopivec, M., Jeromel, M., Martinčič, U., Malačič, V., Marčeta, B., Pengal, P., Deželak, F. and Jenko, J. (2013) Management plan of marine environment: description of good marine environmental status and environmental objective. Inštitut za vode Republike Slovenije, Ljubljana, 36 pp. [In Slovenian]Google Scholar
Petrenko, O.A. (2013) Main results of complex research in the Azov-Black Sea basin and the World Ocean. Kerch: Southern Scientific Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (YugNIRO), 166 pp.Google Scholar
Ruiz, J.M., Massutí, E., Ordines, F., Quetglas, A., Moranta, J., Ramos, A., Barcala, E., Franco, I., Gil de Sola, L., García, J.E., Macías, D., Lens, S., Deudero, S., Vázquez, M., Bellas, J., Mas, J., Giménez, F., Gomariz, F., de la Ossa, J.A., del Pilar-Ruso, Y., Ramos, A., Sánchez, J.L., Garrido, D., Rodríguez, J.C., González-Irusta, J.M., García, J.E., Farriols, M.T. and Díaz, V. (2012) Estrategia Marina. Demarcación Marina Levantino-Balear. Parte IV. Descriptores del buen estado ambiental. Descriptor 1: Biodiversidad. Evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. de Armas, D. & Bellas, J. (Coords.). Madrid: Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría General Técnica, Centro de Publicaciones, 839 pp.Google Scholar
Santos Vázquez, B., Read, F., Saavedra, C., Lens, S., de Stephanis, R., Giménez Verdugo, J., Verborgh, P., Gauffier, P., Esteban Pavo, R., García Tiscar, S., Salazar Sierra, J.M., Jiménez, C., López, A., Martínez Cedeira, J.A., Llanova, A., Covelo, P., Vázquez Bonales, J.A., Laria, L., Marcos Ipiña, E., Salazar Sierra, J., Maestre, I., Cañadas, A., Moreno, P., Murcia, J.L., Martín, V., Raga, J.A., Gozalbes Aparicio, P., Aguilar Vila, A., Learmonth, J., Fernández, R., Pierce, G.J., Sagarminaga, R., Urquiola Pascual, E., Ruano, A. and Areces, J.J. (2012) Estrategias Marinas. Grupo Mamíferos Marinos. Evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. Bellas, J., Santos Vázquez, B. & de Stephanis, R. (Coords.). Madrid: Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría General Técnica, Centro de Publicaciones, 448 pp.Google Scholar
Şekeroğlu, C., Anderson, S., Akçay, E., Bilgin, R., Can, Ö.E., Semiz, G., Tavşanoğlu, Ç., Yokeş, M. B., Soyumert, A., İpekdali, K., Sağlam, İ.K., Yücel, M. and Dalfesm, N. (2011) Turkey's globally important biodiversity in crisis. Biological Conservation 144, 27522769.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SRMC (2014) Plan d'action pour le milieu marin. Programme de surveillance. Sous-Région Marine Mers Celtiques. Projet de programme de surveillance soumis à la consultation des instances, 18 août 2014, 327 pp.Google Scholar
SRMG (2014) Plan d'action pour le milieu marin. Programme de surveillance. Sous-Région Marine Golfe de Gascogne. Projet de programme de surveillance soumis à la consultation des instances, 18 août 2014, 332 pp.Google Scholar
SRMM (2014) Plan d'action pour le milieu marin. Programme de surveillance. Sous-Région Marine Manche-mer du Nord. Consultation du 18 août au 17 novembre 2014, 363 pp.Google Scholar
Sumer, V. and Muluk, C. (2011) Challenges for Turkey to implement the EU Water Framework Directive. In Kibaroğlu, A., Klaphake, A., Kramer, A. and Scheumann, W. (eds), Turkey's water policy, national frameworks and international cooperation. Heidelberg: Springer Berlin, pp 4368.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SYKE (2012) The assessment of the current state of the sea environment, determination of the characteristics of good environmental status, targets and indicators. The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), 19.10.2012, 42 pp. [In Finnish]Google Scholar
SYKE (2014) Indicators of the marine strategy framework directive in Finland. Working document (Excel). The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), 24.11.2014, 1 p.Google Scholar
Tunesi, L., Casazza, G., Dalù, M., Giorgi, G. and Silvestri, C. (2013) The implementation of the marine strategy framework directive in Italy: knowledge to support the management. Biologia Marina Mediterranea 20, 3552.Google Scholar
UNEP/MAP (2007) Report on marine pollution indicators in Mediterranean Countries. UNEP(DEPI)/MED WG. 316/Inf.11, 62 pp.Google Scholar
Velasco, F., Serrano, A., Punzón, A., Lens, S., Nogueira, E., González-Quirós, R., Tello, O., Macías, D., Módica, L., González-Irusta, J.M., Airbe, E. and Díaz, V. (2012) Estrategia Marina. Demarcación Marina Noratlántica. Parte IV. Descriptores del buen estado ambiental. Descriptor 1: Biodiversidad. Evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. de Armas, D. & Bellas, J. (Coords.). Madrid: Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente, Secretaría General Técnica, Centro de Publicaciones, 680 pp.Google Scholar
Vishnyakova, K. and Gol'din, P. (2014) Seasonality of strandings and bycatch of harbour porpoises in the Sea of Azov: the effects of fisheries, weather conditions, and life history. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 192 pp.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
VNIRO (2004) Instructions and guidelines for biological information collection and processing in the European North Sea and the North Atlantic. All-Russia Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography, 299 pp. [In Russian]Google Scholar
Zamora, V.V., Snigirev, S.M., Kurakin, A.P. and Oleinik, Y.N. (2005) Species composition and distribution of fish in the area of Snake Island. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones and Complex use of Shelf Resources 12, 593602 [In Russian]Google Scholar