Review of methodological standards related to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive criteria on good environmental status

In accordance with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD; 2008/56/EC), it is appropriate to make provision for the development of criteria and methodological standards to ensure consistency and to allow for comparison between marine regions or subregions of the extent to which good environmental status (GES) is being achieved. In this report, methodological standards are reviewed for (1) the assessment of the status of the marine environment and the determination of GES; (2) environmental targets; and (3) monitoring. Methodological standards are defined in general terms as all methods developed and agreed in the framework of European or international conventions. The screening of available methodological standards is restricted to the WFD (2000/60/EC), EQS Directive (2008/105/EC), Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), Common Fisheries Policy and Regional Sea Conventions covering European seas (OSPAR, HELCOM, UNEP MAP, Black Sea Commission).