Coordination, Outreach and Stakeholder engagement
Activity 1 has a four-fold focus and scope: administrative and scientific coordination and management of the project, engagement of MSFD Competent Authorities, communication and outreach and networking and stakeholder engagement.
It will provide effective and comprehensive administrative and scientific management of the consortium, coordination and integration within and among the Activities, and communication between partners. The coordinator, the project manager, the Steering Committee and the management office will oversee the timely and high quality of the projects deliverables and reports and their effective dissemination to scientists, policy makers, and national authorities. The Steering Committee will ensure the connection of the project to the Commission to promote appropriate discussion and feedback on the project execution will represent the project to key SCs and MSFD Working Groups and Technical Groups meetings, collaborate closely with related projects and connect with stakeholder across the basin to promote the projects results and get them available.
The close-involvement of UNEP/MAP, as a member of the AB, and INFO/RAC, SPA/RAC and Plan Blue as partners provides a strong link to the regional process and a channel to communicate the outcomes of the project and will feed into the ongoing work of the Barcelona Convention on the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach…..
The specific objectives are to:
O1.1: Coordinate Activities & Facilitate communication between partners within and across Activities;
O1.2: Manage and monitor the progress of the project ensuring that the project meets its objectives within the time (and budget) limits (including regular reporting requirements and financial requests to the Commission);
O1.3a: Establish regular contacts with the Commission (including kick-off and final meetings in Brussels) and regular reporting of activities, in order to allow for appropriate discussion and feedback on the project execution;
O1.3b: Provide Special Reports - guidance that can include tools, methods and results to be presented to the competent authorities in a training session;
O1.4: Communicate and outreach Project results and scientific developments on all levels of society: policy, general public as well as scientific community;
O1.5: Establish effective links to the RSC UNEP/MAP to ensure coordination across the regions or subregions and dissemination of results to contribute directly to the efforts of the Regional Sea Convention;
O1.6: Link MEDREGION to other relevant international and national projects, to foster (sub)regional cooperation, ensure synergies and efficiency gains, exchange of ideas and knowledge and avoid duplications;
O1.7: Facilitate and widen the engagement of the different stakeholders within the Mediterranean basin (beyond participating CAs);
O 1.8: Facilitate the presentation of the progress of work done and gather input from the relevant technical / scientific meetings at (sub)regional level (e.g. relevant groups established under the auspices of UNEP/MAP) and EU level (e.g. Working Groups and Technical Groups).
Tasks
Task 1.1: Administration
Task 1.2: Scientific coordination & Governance
Task 1.3: Engagement of Stakeholder and Policy Makers
Task 1.5: Communication, Dissemination and Outreach
Deliverables
D1.1 - Inception report specifying the proposed methodology for the tasks of the project, M1 (responsible: HCMR).
D1.2 - (PR1) 1st Progress report (Months 1-6) including the tasks performed against the work plan, an updated Gantt chart with milestones and deliverables, preliminary conclusions (if available), and justification for any identified deviation or risk (maximum 10 pages), and accompanying payment request, M8 (responsible: HCMR).
D1.3 - (FR) Final report which describes clearly the executed tasks and results covering the complete reporting period, including all the specific products and deliverables produced in the context of this project the impact of the project results into the authorities' implementation cycles and an executive summary and accompanying payment of balance request M24 (responsible: HCMR).
D1.4 - A presentation of maximum of 20 slides summarising in a pedagogic way the main results (M24 + 60 days) (responsible: HCMR).
Leader: HCMR / Dr Kalliopi Pagou popi at hcmr.gr
Addressing cooperation needs of Member States' competent authorities in their implementation of the Directive
A key aim of the MEDREGION project is to communicate and promote its outcomes and suggestions to all stakeholders (including scientists and policy makers) and in particular at the level of national authorities and leads, which are responsible for the implementation of the MSFD (and EcAp), in order to be able to decide if is possible to be used and taken up by them. A Competent Authority Board will be established consisting of the MSFD competent authorities in the Mediterranean, to ensure that they are involved and consulted throughout the work of the project, so that the project’s results will respond to their needs, will be ‘endorsed’ by them in the possible extend and are in a format that can directly put into use by the competent authorities for the facilitation of the MSFD on national and regional/subregional level in the Mediterranean.
The specific objectives of this Activity are:
O2.1: Support Competent Authorities (CAs) for the implementation of the 2nd phase of the MSFD
Ο2.2: Ensure results have practical outcomes which clearly assist CAs to the implementation of the MSFD
O2.3: Foster the dialogue and interaction with and among all competent authorities (CAs which are partners and CAs that are not partners) at national, sub-regional and regional/EU level through dedicated structure (Competent Authority Board), in order to engage them directly to the results of the project and assure their compliance ;
O2.4: Provide Special Reports - guidance that can include tools, methods and results to be presented to the competent authorities in a training session.
O2.5: Establish effective links to the RSC UNEP/MAP to ensure coordination across the regions or subregions and dissemination of results to contribute directly to the efforts of the Regional Sea Convention
O2.6: Facilitate the presentation of the progress of work done and gather input from the relevant policy meetings at (sub)regional level (e.g. relevant groups established under the auspices of UNEP/MAP) and EU level (e.g. Working Groups and Technical Groups)
Tasks
Task 2.1: Connection with the MSFD Competent Authorities (CAs)
Task 2.2 Connection with the Commission
Task 2.3 Alignment between the Barcelona Convention System and the MSFD
Deliverables
D2.1 - Mapping CA needs towards the 2nd MSFD cycle M2, (responsible CAB)
D2.2 - (SG1) Specific guidance (SG) addressed to competent authorities from Member States to better implement the new GES decision or to quantify the effects of the PoM (this guidance can include tools, methods and results and should be presented to the competent authorities in a training session), M12 (responsible HCMR).
D2.3 - Position paper MSFD implementation Policy, M23 (responsibles; HCMR and CAB)
Leader: MATTM & MOP / Giangreco Roberto Giangreco.roberto at minambiente.it & Barbara Breznik barbara.breznik at gov.si
Effective and coordinated regional measures for biodiversity (D1, D3, D4, D6)
This activity will mainly build on the foundations set in MEDCIS project and on the results of past projects (ActionMed, IRIS-SES, DEVOTES) with the aim to determine whether the proposed measures/actions are effective in maintaining or achieving GES.
One of the main deliverables of MEDCIS project in relation to work on PoMs was the catalogue of MSFD measures, established under D 2, 5, 8, 9, and 10, covering all Mediterranean Member States (MSs). In MEDREGION Subtask 3.1.1 (Task 3.1) this catalogue will be further filled with the measures for biodiversity descriptors (focus on D1, 3, 4, and 6). Analyses of catalogue and clustering of measures will take place in Subtask 3.1.2 (Task 3.1). These results will be useful for update of PoMs in 2022, and for greater coherence and coordination on sub-regional and regional levels. Moreover, links between measures and monitoring plans will be explored, particularly in relation to the common, already established measures under biodiversity-related descriptors in close collaboration with Activity 4. The Barcelona Convention SPA/BD Protocol will also be considered and a special attention paid to the spatial protection measures relating to biodiversity conservation. The proposed measures are intended to attain GES, however since they were established before the new GES Decision (2017/848) came into force, it is necessary to assess whether the measures still correspond to the needs of the new criteria and to the new definitions of GES under MSFD Articles 8, 9, and 10. This work will take place in Subtask 3.1.3 (Task 3.1) in collaboration with results of Activities 5 and 6.
In Subtask 3.2.1 (Task 3.2) the effectiveness methodology developed in MEDCIS will be further developed and quantified by taking into account biodiversity descriptors (focus on D1, 3, 4, and 6), pressures exerted on them, monitoring data and effects on human activities and well-being. A quantitative methodology for determining the effectiveness of measures will be developed by integrating and comparing the monitoring programmes data outputs with the Initial Assessments outcomes or reference conditions, where available in close collaboration with Activities 4, 5, 6. Subtask 3.2.2 (Task 3.2) will focus on measures’ interactions with human activities and well-being proposing to competent authorities (CAs) a methodological tool aiming at strengthening socio-economic consideration in the implementation and update of PoMs.
As MSFD enters its second cycle of implementation, it is also expected that the integration with other policy frameworks in the marine realm will be established, particularly with Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSP). Task 3.3 will build on the current MSP projects for Eastern Mediterranean (SUPREME), which will provide specific plans for five case studies in Adriatic, Ionian, and Aegean Seas, and will work in close collaboration with Activities 4 and 7.
Therefore, the outputs of activity 3 will considerably contribute to assessments of the current PoMs, more coherent next generation of PoMs in the Mediterranean region, and better regional cooperation. Work in activity 3 will be designed to allow the stakeholders to join the process and comment on the project work at regular times in the project implementation.
The specific objectives are :
O 3.1: Quantification of the effect of the PoMs;
• identification (and testing) of mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of PoMs/NAPS
• linking monitoring programmes with measures
• measures vs their objective (i.e. how each measure is designed to help reaching GES and the updated environmental targets) and measures vs results
O3.2: Coordination of measures (link with other Directives)
O3.3: Relating PoMs to MSP, MPAs, and ICZM
Tasks
Task 3.1: Build the information base for a more coherent and comparable implementation of measures in the Mediterranean
Task 3.2: Upgrade effectiveness assessment methodology
Task 3.3: Achieving coherence between MSFD and MSP
Task Leader: NKUA – Prof. Em. Em. Dassenakis,
Deliverables
D3.1 – Report on the analyses of the catalogue and clustering of measures/actions (incl. analyses of the relationship of measures to old and new GES Decisions) – M12 (IzVRS responsible)
D3.2 – (SG1) Specific guidance (SG) addressed to competent authorities from Member States to better implement the new GES decision or to quantify the effects of the PoM (this guidance can include tools, methods and results and should be presented to the competent authorities in a training session), M12 (responsible HCMR)
D3.3 – Report on the effectiveness of methodology of PoMs/NAPs in relation to monitoring data, pressures, new GES decision, as well as including the methodological tool on PoM/NAP effects on human activities and well-being– M23 (IzVRS responsible)
D3.4 – Report on achieving coherence between MSFD and MSP – M23 (NKUA responsible)
Leader: IzVRS / Dr Klara Jarni klara.jarn at izvrs.si
Improve data collection to fill the gaps in monitoring data
Following the objectives of INFO/RAC the present Activity will contribute to sharing information and methods, monitoring programmes and subprograms among MSs, as well as assess the comparability of data in the Mediterranean region.
Using common elements that MSFD requires, Acivity 4 aims at the development of a management mechanism including on line update; the access and interoperability of the data from monitoring programmes used for the assessments in accordance with MSFD Art. 19(3) and the INSPIRE Directive requirements ; and in depth analysis of monitoring programmes (Art. 12 of Barcelona Convection; Articles 8 and 13 of the Protocol for the Protection on the Mediterranean against Pollution, Art. 12 of Directive 2008/56/EC). This will facilitate increasing the efficiency of the assessments, standardization and harmonization among the MSs, as well as making more coherent and comparable GES and thresholds. Monitoring assessments and reviews were initiated in previous projects (ACTIONMED, MEDCIS), which highlighted the widespread variety of programmes among MSs. Thus increasing the efficiency, standardization and harmonization among the MSs, that will make more coherent and comparable GES and threshold, is a necessary for Mediterranean region.
The Activity 4 will implement the Data collection based on the agreed existing data in order to support appropriately the CIS monitoring Processes and MSFD monitoring programme. An analysis on different kind of data will be performed in order to avoid duplications and vice versa creating a good comparability of data type, possible development of mechanism and/or methodology to share environmental data/information among a EU and no-EU countries, taking to account the implementation of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the UN Environment/MAP on the protection of the Marine Environment and the coastal region of Mediterranean, according to the Barcelona Conventions’ protocols as well as EMODnet and E-Marine. To support this action the Data infrastructure will be based on what we have already set-up in Pilot IMAP Info Compatible System and in ENI SEIS projects. The existing infrastructure will be connected with EMODnet Chemistry and updated with new tools and functionalities, in order to facilitate the application of new decisions and in particularly to support the assessment will be improved: the metadata catalogue to archive and navigate data sources; integrate the existing Data Dictionaries with the new procedures to update the descriptors; a dynamic mechanism to charge data also from EMODnet and validate them. It should also aim to fill knowledge gaps identified in the UN Environment/MAP 2017 Med Quality Status Report. Work with South Mediterranean countries is encouraged.
The specific objectives are :
- O 4.1 Complete data collection monitoring programmes;
- O 4.2 Analyze of gaps in monitoring programmes;
- O 4.3 Identify commonalities and differences among monitoring programmes;
- O 4.4 Analyses of the links between monitoring and pressures for all relevant descriptors and specifically for those mentioned in the CALL including the covera by MSs;
- O 4.5 Interoperability between EMODnet Chemistry and INFO/RAC information platforms with increased benefits for the marine data management in the region by adopting and adapting existing consolidated standards and tools and by encouraging data sharing from additional data centres in the Mediterranean region
- O 4.6 Elaborate standardization procedure.
Tasks
Task 4.1: Data/information collection to update monitoring programs;
Task 4.2: Analysis of monitoring gaps
Task 4.3: Analysis of the links between the monitoring and main pressures for biodiversity descriptors
Task 4.4: Info system implementation and development
Deliverables:
D4.1 Data collection and Data models definition M9 (Responsible INFO/RAC)
D4.2 Info System technical and non-functional requirements M10 (Responsible INFO/RAC)
D4.3 Gaps analysis on the Monitoring Programme M12 (Responsible IEO)
D4.4 Report of the analyses of the links between monitoring and pressures for all relevant descriptors M15 (Responsible – INFO/RAC…]
D4.5 Info System Implementation and functionalities M22 (Responsible INFO/RAC)
Leader: INFO/RAC (ISPRA) / Dr Carlo Cipolloni carlo.cipolloni at isprambiente.it
Implementation of the new GES Decision - Biodiversity
The specific themes to be targeted within this activity are:
- Selection of criteria of Descriptors (D1, D6) according Commission Decision (EC, 2017).
- Consideration of previous work on indicators/criteria, as from DEVOTES, PERSEUS, etc., and other regional projects (e.g. ActionMed, MEDCIS, etc.), as well as in ICES, OSPAR, HELCOM and UNEP studies.
- Set reference conditions and thresholds (i.e. boundary between good and moderate status). According to the criteria from the EC (2017), to put in order the preferred ways to determine these targets (in decreasing order of preference):
- Is there any binding legal limit? e.g.
(i) intercalibrated values within the WFD (EC, 2018), for different biological elements, which can be taken as model;
(ii) other binding legislation (CFP, HD, UNEP, etc.)
- Is there any agreed boundary, accepted by the scientific community or managers? e.g. Maximum Sustainable Yields (MSY), determined in STEF, ICES, ICCAT or other organizations; boundaries for different eutrophication status (eutrophic, mesotrophic, oligotrophic), etc.
- Is there information enough from pristine areas, as reference?
- Is there information from gradients of pressure, which can be used to set the target?
- Do you have information in the past (e.g. before any human pressure) which can be used as reference?
- Are you able to model a target, taking into account your experience? e.g. using habitat suitability models or others (Lynam et al., 2016)
- Is there existing literature in similar habitats that can be used to set the target?
- Is a group of experts (e.g. within MEDCIS) able to achieve a consensus in a target value?
- Integration of multiple indicators, criteria, ecosystem components, and descriptors in multiple temporal and spatial scales.
Though different methods exist, as the integrated assessment results depend on aggregation method and framework structure, the decision on the way of integrating should be taken in agreement with stakeholders and in accordance with the final objectives of the assessment. Our initial proposal is to aggregate indicators, following the requirements from DG-Environment and EEA, using the Nested Environmental status Assessment Tool (NEAT) (which has been successfully used in different locations). The resulting thresholds, indicators and criteria will also be integrated in the work on Activity 3 (Programmes of Measures, Task 3.2) for the development of quantitative methodology for effectiveness assessments.
Therefore, the specific objectives of Activity 5 are:
O5.1: Selection of indicators (for D1, D4, D6) based upon criteria established in the Commission Decision (EC, 2017).
O5.2: Set reference conditions and thresholds (i.e. boundary between good and moderate status.
O5.3: Integration of multiple indicators, criteria, ecosystem components, and descriptors in multiple temporal and spatial scales.
Tasks
Task 5.1: Selection of criteria
Task 5.2: Setting Threshold values
Task 5.3: Determining the vulnerability of benthic habitats
Task 5.4: Integration and aggregation of the information to assess the status
Deliverables
Deliverable 5.1 (M18): report with the final results and approaches (Task 5.4, feeding into Activity 7), Responsible: AZTI
Deliverable 5.2 (M22): GIS tool to assess the degree of vulnerability of benthic habitats to human stressors (Task 5.3, feeding into Activity 7), Responsible: ISPRA
Leader: AZTI / Dr Angel Borja aborja at azti.es
Implementation of the new GES Decision: Pollution
In accordance with Article 1 (3) of Directive 2008/56/EC, the collective pressure of human activities needs to be kept within levels compatible with the achievement of Good Environmental Status, ensuring that the capacity of marine ecosystems to respond to human-induced changes is not compromised. The new Decision 2017/848 underlines the importance to establish a clear link between qualitative descriptors (e.g Descriptor 1) and quantitative descriptors (e.g Descriptor 10) through the relationships of some criteria associated to the assessment of environmental status and predominant pressures and impact. The strengthening of the knowledge about these links, and especially the pressures exerted by various sources of pollution on the marine organisms is therefore required for the understanding of the causes of the changes observed in marine ecosystems. This is often a challenge due to the complexity of the interactions between the pressures and the abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems; and the way the pressures combine to produce cumulative effects. Improving the knowledge of these interactions is however required designing and implementing on a sound basis the monitoring programmes and measures need to achieved the GES.
According to the Commission Decision EU 2017/848, standardized methods for monitoring and assessment should be defined, taking into account existing specifications and standards at Union or international level, including regional or subregional level. Moreover in cases where no threshold values are laid down, Member States should establish threshold values through Union, regional or subregional cooperation, for instance by referring to existing thresholds or developing new ones in the framework of the Regional Sea Conventions.
Activity 6 will focus on some GES descriptors and related pressures, being of a great concern in the Mediterranean region:
- D8 - Contaminants
- D10 - Marine litter
- D5 – Human induced eutrophication
To meet these challenges, the objectives of Activity 6 are:
- O6.1 Perform a gap analysis about pollution pressures on biodiversity in the Mediterranean;
- O6.2 Test and select indicators based upon criteria established in the Commission Decision (EU, 2017/248);
- O6.3 To integrate selected data on GES elements, pollution pressures from different countries and to map with the results of the assessment of biodiversity done in Activity 5;
- O6.4 Develop methodologies contribute to the definition of thresholds for GES, which will feed Task 3.2 for the development of the methodology for the effectiveness assessment.
Tasks
Task 6.1: Gap analysis on the pressures exerted by pollution upon biodiversity in the Mediterranean
Task 6.2: Chemical pollution, D8
Task 6.3. Link between D1 and D10 through the pressure criteria of entanglement and floating litter
Task 6.4: Human induced eutrophication and impacts related to Descriptor 5
Deliverables:
D6.1 – Review of the methodologies for assessing the impact of pollution on biodiversity in the Mediterranean – Gap analysis (M8) - IFREMER
D6.2 – Report on the results of the collection and integration of pollution data at subregional level (for D5, D8 and D10) ), recommendations for improving coherence (M11) - IFREMER
D6.3 - Report on priorities and recommendations for the assessment of GES D8 including D8C2 (M22) - HCMR
D6.4 - Guidelines for the assessment the entanglement of marine species by marine litter (M22) - ISPRA
D6.5 - Report on the risk induced by floating litter on vulnerable marine species (M22) - ISPRA
D6.6 - Results of the test of different methodological approaches for GES evaluation based on D5 criteria on case studies at sub basin scale (M18) – CORILA-OGS
D6.7 - Proposal of a “standard” comparable approach for D5 (M22) – CORILA-OGS
Leader: IFREMER / Jean-Francois Cadiou Jean.Francois.Cadiou at ifremer.fr
Operational assessment of GES setting at sub-regional level: Pilot analyses of processes, alternatives and implications.
The aim of activity 7 is to assess the operational performance and implications of various methodologies to be applied for GES assessment, thresholds setting and integration rules developed within the project. The activity will focus on a subset of criteria selected at sub-regional level from the “Biodiversity Cluster” and “Pollution Cluster” related descriptors, in particular D1, D4, D6, and D5, D8, D10, respectively. Such approach will be tested at sub-regional level, i.e. in selected pilot applications where several EU MS, and possibly third countries, are involved. Indeed, at sub-regional level, and as required by the new Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 for several criteria, coordination among countries is needed. In addition, at this geographical scale site-specific imbalance in data availability (e.g., monitored variables and their accuracy, spatial and temporal domains, data interoperability), as well as differences in the declination of policy objectives, may occur. In this light, activity 7 will guide the implementation of two pilots, one in the Adriatic Sea and the second in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The pilots will address in operational manner different factors (e.g. institutional levels and policies objectives; indicators, metrics, data availability, sources and flow; (spatial) aggregation methods (e.g., NEAT software or others, etc.),.as potential determinants of the actual capability to implement a consistent GES assessment at sub-regional level. In addition, effective approaches to overcome barriers will be identified and put into the context of both sub-regional and regional GES assessment.
The two pilot studies will apply a common framework:
- Set the common ground engaging EU (and non-EU, where feasible) (sub-regional) experts and CAs from the areas of interest.
- Apply different approaches to the most “promising” indicators/criteria to test the applicability and effectiveness of approaches developed in Activities 5 and 6 through a practical implementation of analytical models.
- Assess and compare results of various scenarios tohighlight the pros and cons of a list of common indicators (metrics and characteristics).
Ensuring the coordination among the pilots and with other activities will be one of the main goals of Activity 7.
Overall, Activity 7 permit the definition ofa practical implementation guidance based on the transparent documentation and analysis of the implication of various hypothesis to the definition of GES and its assessment (in a subset of “Biodiversity Cluster” and Pollution Cluster” related descriptors/indicators) as carried out at sub-regional scale. The guidance will build on the experience gained in the pilot activities, and will include both technical- and policy-related issues.
We envisage Activity 7 will contribute to facilitating the process of establishing a future consistent sub-regional assessment of GES (and related thresholds and measures) in relation to the considered indicators and descriptors, as well as potential common PoMs.
The specific objectives of Activity 7 are:
O7.1: Develop a common framework to ensure coordination and comparability of results from pilot studies
O7.2: Develop a pilot study on sub-regional approach to GES in the Adriatic Sea.
O7.3: Develop a pilot study on sub-regional approach to GES in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
O7.4: Extract and document lessons learnt from pilots producing a practical implementation guidance to GES assessment at sub-regional level.
Tasks
Task 7.1 Common framework for the two pilot studies to ensure coordination and comparability of results (M1-21)
Task 7.2 Adriatic Sea PILOT (M1-21)
Task 7.3 Western Mediterranean Sea PILOT (M1-21).
Task 7.4. Lessons learnt: from consistent sub-regional approaches (M18-23).
Deliverables
D7.1. Report on the Adriatic Sea Pilot study (comprising description of results of subtasks 7.2.1 to 7.2.3). M21 (Resp. ISPRA)
D7.2. Report on the Western Mediterranean Sea Pilot study (comprising description of results of subtasks 7.3.1 to 7.3.3). M21 (Resp. IEO)
D7.3. Report on “Practical implementation guidance to GES assessment: lessons learnt from exploring approaches at sub-regional level “(Adriatic Sea, WMS)”. M23. (Resp. ISPRA)
Leader: ISPRA / Dr Saša Raicevich sasa.raicevich at isprambiente.it
