2017-2022: Bycatch is assessed using data acquired by the implementation of the National Fisheries Data Collection Program. Based on these data; a limited number of species and individuals of protected fish and sea turtles died as bycatch. However; no cetaceans; seabirds or monk seals were reported to die as incidental bycatch. Specific measures are implemented for this scope. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented; and additional measures may be adopted; if and where needed; in order to minimize incidental catches.

2017-2022: Bycatch is assessed using data acquired by the implementation of the National Fisheries Data Collection Program. Based on these data; a limited number of species and individuals of protected fish and sea turtles died as bycatch. However; no cetaceans; seabirds or monk seals were reported to die as incidental bycatch. Specific measures are implemented for this scope. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented; and additional measures may be adopted; if and where needed; in order to minimize incidental catches.

2017-2022: Bycatch is assessed using data acquired by the implementation of the National Fisheries Data Collection Program. Based on these data, a limited number of species and individuals of protected fish and sea turtles died as bycatch. However, no cetaceans, seabirds or monk seals were reported to die as incidental bycatch. Specific measures are implemented for this scope. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures may be adopted, if and where needed, in order to minimize incidental catches.

2017-2022: Bycatch is assessed using data acquired by the implementation of the National Fisheries Data Collection Program. Based on these data; a limited number of species and individuals of protected fish and sea turtles died as bycatch. However; no cetaceans; seabirds or monk seals were reported to die as incidental bycatch. Specific measures are implemented for this scope. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented; and additional measures may be adopted; if and where needed; in order to minimize incidental catches.

2017-2022: Bycatch is assessed using data acquired by the implementation of the National Fisheries Data Collection Program. Based on these data, a limited number of species and individuals of protected fish and sea turtles died as bycatch. However, no cetaceans, seabirds or monk seals were reported to die as incidental bycatch. Specific measures are implemented for this scope. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures may be adopted, if and where needed, in order to minimize incidental catches.

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to ensure and promote the sustainable use of biological and natural resources, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures may be adopted, if and where needed, to ensure the sustainability of marine resources.

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to ensure and promote the sustainable use of biological and natural resources, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures may be adopted, if and where needed, to ensure the sustainability of marine resources.

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to ensure and promote the sustainable use of biological and natural resources, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures may be adopted, if and where needed, to ensure the sustainability of marine resources.

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to ensure and promote the sustainable use of biological and natural resources, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures may be adopted, if and where needed, to ensure the sustainability of marine resources.

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to raise awareness on the marine environment, including (i) participation in dissemination events and festivals, including the annual European Researchers Night, (ii) addressing MSFD descriptors via social media (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, Instagram), (iii) publishing informational material and articles/reports in scientific journals and local newsletters, (iv) participation in relevant conferences, scientific meetings, radio talks, etc. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. Adopt-a-Beach program), to ensure awareness on the marine environment

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to protect and conserve areas of natural and/or cultural value, threatened or endangered species of flora/fauna and habitats, in the framework of an ecosystem-based approach involving policy/regulations, research, education, stakeholder engagement, and economic incentives. 2023-2028: Protective measures will continue to be implemented, and additional measures will be adopted where needed (e.g. implementation of management measures in N2K areas, update of the strategy and action plan for biodiversity in Cyprus, etc.).

2017-2022: N/A. 2023-2028: To improve governmental mechanisms to achieve GES in the marine environment, a new measure was adopted in 2023, concerning the establishment of a National Committee for the Implantation of the MSFD. The measure is expected to be implemented within the period 2023-2028. For the creation of this committee, good practices implemented by other EU member states, as well as those followed for the creation of the new Governance Structure for the Integrated Management of Coastal Zones and Marine Spatial Planning in Cyprus, will be considered. This measure will also concern the strengthening of the bodies responsible for the implementation of the MSFD in terms of personnel, means and any other resources/capabilities that are necessary, including the enforcement of existing and new measures.

Climate change is not a descriptor of the MSFD but is indirectly addressed by some criteria. In the following years, relevant monitoring programs will be established.

2017-2022: Measures were implemented to enhance knowledge on the marine environment, including several scientific surveys to collect data on habitats, species (e.g. cetaceans, seabirds, NIS), fisheries, marine litter, etc. 2023-2028: Measures will continue to be implemented, like new surveys that already started or are planned for the coming years, aiming to cover gaps of knowledge and collect scientific data for the assessment of the marine environment and the identification of additional measures to be applied where needed.