JRC marine modelling framework in support of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive : inventory of models, basin configurations and datasets

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) foresees that all EU Member States take the necessary measures to maintain or progressively achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) in the marine environment by year 2020. In recent years, the JRC has delivered to the Commission scientific and technical support to the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The Administrative Arrangement N° ENV.C.2/2015/070201/705766, signed between Directorate General for Environment (ENV) and Directorate General Joint Research Centre (JRC), Institute for Environment an Sustainability (IES, Unit H01), has a purpose the provision of support to further implementation of the MSFD. In this context, the JRC IES Water Resources Unit has established a MSFD Competence Centre (MCC, http://mcc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/) to assist Member States (MSs) in the implementation of the MSFD. The MCC acts as a single entry point for policy-review activities, including the current review of the criteria and methodological standards for Good Environmental Status, which are the key to achieving the MSFD goals. The MCC also includes the marine Modelling Framework (or toolbox) for the assessment of MSFD descriptors, with the aim providing independent and evidence-based support in the assessment of the status of implementation throughout the whole policy cycle of the MSFD. This report, which constitutes Deliverable 2.1 of the Administrative Arrangement No ENV C.2/2015/070201/ 705766 between DG Environment and DG JRC IES Water Resources Unit, includes an inventory of models, basin configurations and datasets within the Modelling Framework of the JRC Marine Competence Centre.