AAC Recommendation on the European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The AAC has published a Recommendation on the European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The publication includes recommendations to the European Commission and to the Member States.

Recommendations for the European Commission include:

1. Conducting coordinated action to ensure that the precautionary principle for achieving GES in the marine environment is applied evenly throughout the EU Member States and regions, following ecosystem- and science-based approaches.

2. Promote further research on environmental impacts and ecosystem approaches to coastal management to reach GES in the marine environment.

3. Consider the impact of climate change on the marine environment and adapt the targets and associated indicators of the MSFD accordingly and dynamically. Consider the inclusion of cultivated shellfish mortality as a descriptor or sub-descriptor of the GES.

Recommendations for Member States include:

1. The pathways followed by the Member States and the regions for achieving GES in the marine environment should be balanced with the social and economic pillars of sustainability.

2. Pursue reaching GES in the marine environment of national waters by considering small geographical areas rather than large ones, as they could evolve differently.

3. Implement measures for reaching GES in the marine environment that address not only marine sources of pollution but also land-born sources.

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