Member State report / Art8-2024 / 2024 / D1-M / Belgium / NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art8
Report due 2024-10-15
GES Descriptor D1 Mammals
Member State Belgium
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea
Report date 2026-01-13 14:08:15

Belgian Part of the North Sea (ANS-BE-MS-1)

Regional assessment area
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-Greater North Sea
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-Greater North Sea
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-North Sea
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-North Sea
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-North Sea
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-North Sea
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-North Sea
marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar-North Sea
Component MRUs
GES component
D1M
D1M
D1M
D1M
D1M
D1M
D1M
D1M
Feature
Small toothed cetaceans
Small toothed cetaceans
Seals
Seals
Seals
Seals
Seals
Seals
Element
Phocoena phocoena
Phocoena phocoena
Halichoerus grypus
Halichoerus grypus
Halichoerus grypus
Halichoerus grypus
Phoca vitulina
Phoca vitulina
Element extent
Trend element
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Element 2
Element source
OSPAR
OSPAR
OSPAR
OSPAR
OSPAR
OSPAR
OSPAR
OSPAR
Criterion
D1C1
D1C2
D1C1
D1C2
D1C3
D1C3
D1C2
D1C2
Parameter
Mortality rate / Mortality rate from fishing (F)
Abundance
Mortality rate / Mortality rate from fishing (F)
Fecundity rate
Fecundity rate
Abundance
Abundance
Threshold value upper
1622.0
-1.6
7171.0
Threshold value lower
-1.6
Threshold value operator
Threshold qualitative
Sign of trend in abundance estimate
Threshold value source
OSPAR Convention
OSPAR Convention
OSPAR Convention
OSPAR Convention
OSPAR Convention
OSPAR Convention
OSPAR Convention
Value achieved upper
5974.0
704.0
962.0
1798.0
135.0
1430.0
Value achieved lower
Value unit
individuals
percentage
individuals
percentage
percentage
percentage
percentage
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit
Trend parameter
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Parameter achieved
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Description parameter
The number of harbour porpoises in the wider North Sea in 2016 was estimated at 345,000 animals, with 239,000 animals as the lowest value of the Confidence Interval (used to assess bycatch against). Bycatch levels of harbour porpoises in the wider North Sea were assessed as higher than the predefined threshold. Locally, the population seem to be decreasing.
Estimated trend is zero (that is no decline) and the threshold is thus achieved
The number of grey seals in the North Sea was estimated at a minimum of 119,519 animals. Bycatch of grey seals was lower than the predefined threshold. Although population estimates for harbour seals are available, no threshold was established and no assessment of bycatch was made.
Percentage short-term change. Confidence Intervals (455, 1898)
Percentage long-term change. Confidence Intervals (556, 5532)
Percentage short-term change. Confidence Intervals (122, 148). Using sub-AU data as a proxy for the AU (Dutch Delta excluding Grevelingen)
Percentage long-term change. Confidence Intervals (1177, 1731). Using sub-AU data as a proxy for the AU (Dutch Delta excluding Grevelingen)
Related indicator
  • marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar
  • abundance-distribution-cetaceans-qsr23-ospar
  • marine-mammal-bycatch-qsr23-ospar
  • grey-seal-pup-production-qsr23-ospar
  • grey-seal-pup-production-qsr23-ospar
  • seal-abundance-and-distribution-qsr23-ospar
  • seal-abundance-and-distribution-qsr23-ospar
Criteria status
Not good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Description criteria
2020
%verandering 2014-2019
2020
%verandering 2014-2019
pup productie
pup productie
%verandering 2014-2019
%verandering 2014-2019
Element status
Not good
Not good
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description element
Bruinvis, not good based on regional assessments (OSPAR)
Bruinvis, not good based on regional assessments (OSPAR)
Grijze zeehond, Unknown, not enough criteria assessed
Grijze zeehond, Unknown, not enough criteria assessed
Grijze zeehond, Unknown, not enough criteria assessed
Grijze zeehond, Unknown, not enough criteria assessed
Gewone zeehond, Unknown, not enough criteria assessed
Gewone zeehond, Unknown, not enough criteria assessed
Source assessment feature
  • OSPAR
  • OSPAR
  • OSPAR
  • OSPAR
  • OSPAR
  • OSPAR
  • OSPAR
  • OSPAR
Reporting method feature
Type A
Type A
Type A
Type A
Type A
Type A
Type A
Type A
Trend feature
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Integration rule type parameter
Integration rule description parameter
Integration rule type criteria
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description overall status
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, the number of bycaught porpoises among the stranded marine mammals appear to decline. A large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Harbour Porpoise distribution shifted southward within the Greater North Sea, with abundance appearing stable. Assessed populations of coastal Bottlenose Dolphin also appear stable. Overall, more frequent large-scale surveys are needed for future quantitative assessment.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, the number of bycaught porpoises among the stranded marine mammals appear to decline. A large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Harbour Porpoise distribution shifted southward within the Greater North Sea, with abundance appearing stable. Assessed populations of coastal Bottlenose Dolphin also appear stable. Overall, more frequent large-scale surveys are needed for future quantitative assessment.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, many of the stranded marine mammals were bycaught, but a large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Grey Seal abundance is largely increasing across the assessed area. Harbour Seal abundance trends are mixed within the North Sea. Distribution appears generally stable for both species in the Greater North Sea. In the Greater North Sea, Grey Seal pup production is largely increasing or stable.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, many of the stranded marine mammals were bycaught, but a large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Grey Seal abundance is largely increasing across the assessed area. Harbour Seal abundance trends are mixed within the North Sea. Distribution appears generally stable for both species in the Greater North Sea. In the Greater North Sea, Grey Seal pup production is largely increasing or stable.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, many of the stranded marine mammals were bycaught, but a large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Grey Seal abundance is largely increasing across the assessed area. Harbour Seal abundance trends are mixed within the North Sea. Distribution appears generally stable for both species in the Greater North Sea. In the Greater North Sea, Grey Seal pup production is largely increasing or stable.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, many of the stranded marine mammals were bycaught, but a large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Grey Seal abundance is largely increasing across the assessed area. Harbour Seal abundance trends are mixed within the North Sea. Distribution appears generally stable for both species in the Greater North Sea. In the Greater North Sea, Grey Seal pup production is largely increasing or stable.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, many of the stranded marine mammals were bycaught, but a large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Grey Seal abundance is largely increasing across the assessed area. Harbour Seal abundance trends are mixed within the North Sea. Distribution appears generally stable for both species in the Greater North Sea. In the Greater North Sea, Grey Seal pup production is largely increasing or stable.
Bycatch of marine mammals in fisheries was assessed for the entire North Sea: bycatch of Grey Seals fell within the predefined limit, while for porpoises it was too high. In Belgium, many of the stranded marine mammals were bycaught, but a large part of this bycatch takes place outside Belgian waters. Grey Seal abundance is largely increasing across the assessed area. Harbour Seal abundance trends are mixed within the North Sea. Distribution appears generally stable for both species in the Greater North Sea. In the Greater North Sea, Grey Seal pup production is largely increasing or stable.
Assessments period
1994-2016
1994-2016
2014-2019
2014-2019
2014-2019
2014-2019
2014-2019
2014-2019
Related pressures
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
  • Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
Related targets
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
  • D1.1
  • D1.2
  • D1.3
  • D1.7
  • D1.8
Test TV
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Test results
False
False
False
False
False
False
False
False