The reporting unit of Criterion D10C1, as set in the GES Decision, is the “amount of litter per category in number of items per 100 metres (m) on the coastline”. Furthermore, the TV to reach GES for the coastline was set to 20 items per 100 m and adopted at the 2022 Marine Strategy Coordination Group (MSCG) meeting (14/11/2022). See DescriptionParameter of the ElementStatus_CriteriaStatus_CriteriaValues sheet and MSFD Text Report for additional information

The TV to reach GES for the seabed of the Mediterranean was set to 38 items per km2 in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, UNEP/MAP level (Decision UNEP/MED IG.26/22). See DescriptionParameter of the ElementStatus_CriteriaStatus_CriteriaValues sheet and MSFD Text Report for additional information

The Republic of Cyprus assesses marine litter on the coastline since 2018, in seven beaches. Samplings are implemented following the “Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas”, developed by the EU MSFD Technical Group for Marine Litter (TSG-ML), according to which, all marine litter items greater than 2.5 cm are collected along one or two 100 m transects from each beach, classified to categories according to the Joint List of Litter Categories for Marine Macrolitter Monitoring, and counted. The total number of marine litter items for each of the categories (artificial polymer materials, rubber, cloth/textile, paper/cardboard, processed/worked wood, metal, glass/ceramics, chemicals, undefined, and food waste) are estimated. The reporting unit of Criterion D10C1, as set in the GES Decision, is the “amount of litter per category in number of items per 100 metres (m) on the coastline”. Furthermore, the TV to reach GES for the coastline was set to 20 items per 100 m and adopted at the 2022 Marine Strategy Coordination Group (MSCG) meeting (14/11/2022). To calculate whether D10C1 is in GES for the coastline, the median of the marine litter per category and of the total densities of marine litter along the 100 m transect, considering all the beaches and seasons, were calculated per year. Following that, the average value of the medians for the years 2018-2022 was compared to the TV of 20 items/100 m beach, to assess whether D10C1 is in GES See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information

The reporting unit of Criterion D10C1, as set in the GES Decision, is the “amount of litter per square kilometre (km2)”. The TV to reach GES for the seabed of the Mediterranean was set to 38 items per km2 in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, UNEP/MAP level (Decision UNEP/MED IG.26/22). In accordance with the assessment methodology, in 2016, the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP, Ecological Objective 10), established reference values and environmental objectives, in collaboration with the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention for Common Indicator 23, which covers the seabed litter, as well as floating microplastics. As a result of the process, in the Quality Status Report (QSR) published in 2023, UNEP/MAP updated the reference values and established the TVs, with 38 items/km2 being the approved TV for the total of seabed litter. See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information The Republic of Cyprus assessed the marine litter on the seabed through three methods: A. Shallow depths (<30 m) via scuba diving, B. Depths 0-800 m via the MEDITS programme, and C. Optical method in deep-sea areas with the use of ROV in the framework of Eratosthenes one-off research project. Details on each of the methodologies and the results are presented in the MSFD CY-Text Report. To assess whether D10C1 is in GES for the overall seabed, the average value of the amount of litter per km2 in the three methods was considered.

The reporting unit of Criterion D10C1, as set in the GES Decision, is the “amount of litter per square kilometre (km2)”. The TV to reach GES for the seabed of the Mediterranean was set to 38 items per km2 in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, UNEP/MAP level (Decision UNEP/MED IG.26/22). In accordance with the assessment methodology, in 2016, the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP, Ecological Objective 10), established reference values and environmental objectives, in collaboration with the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention for Common Indicator 23, which covers the seabed litter, as well as floating microplastics. As a result of the process, in the Quality Status Report (QSR) published in 2023, UNEP/MAP updated the reference values and established the TVs, with 38 items/km2 being the approved TV for the total of seabed litter. See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information The Republic of Cyprus assessed the marine litter on the seabed through three methods: A. Shallow depths (<30 m) via scuba diving, B. Depths 0-800 m via the MEDITS programme, and C. Optical method in deep-sea areas with the use of ROV in the framework of Eratosthenes one-off research project. Details on each of the methodologies and the results are presented in the MSFD CY-Text Report. To assess whether D10C1 is in GES for the overall seabed, the average value of the amount of litter per km2 in the three methods was considered.

The reporting unit of Criterion D10C1, as set in the GES Decision, is the “amount of litter per square kilometre (km2)”. The TV to reach GES for the seabed of the Mediterranean was set to 38 items per km2 in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, UNEP/MAP level (Decision UNEP/MED IG.26/22). In accordance with the assessment methodology, in 2016, the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP, Ecological Objective 10), established reference values and environmental objectives, in collaboration with the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention for Common Indicator 23, which covers the seabed litter, as well as floating microplastics. As a result of the process, in the Quality Status Report (QSR) published in 2023, UNEP/MAP updated the reference values and established the TVs, with 38 items/km2 being the approved TV for the total of seabed litter. See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information The Republic of Cyprus assessed the marine litter on the seabed through three methods: A. Shallow depths (<30 m) via scuba diving, B. Depths 0-800 m via the MEDITS programme, and C. Optical method in deep-sea areas with the use of ROV in the framework of Eratosthenes one-off research project. Details on each of the methodologies and the results are presented in the MSFD CY-Text Report. To assess whether D10C1 is in GES for the overall seabed, the average value of the amount of litter per km2 in the three methods was considered.

The reporting unit of Criterion D10C1, as set in the GES Decision, is the “amount of litter per square kilometre (km2)”. The TV to reach GES for the seabed of the Mediterranean was set to 38 items per km2 in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, UNEP/MAP level (Decision UNEP/MED IG.26/22). In accordance with the assessment methodology, in 2016, the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP, Ecological Objective 10), established reference values and environmental objectives, in collaboration with the Contracting Parties of the Barcelona Convention for Common Indicator 23, which covers the seabed litter, as well as floating microplastics. As a result of the process, in the Quality Status Report (QSR) published in 2023, UNEP/MAP updated the reference values and established the TVs, with 38 items/km2 being the approved TV for the total of seabed litter. See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information The Republic of Cyprus assessed the marine litter on the seabed through three methods: A. Shallow depths (<30 m) via scuba diving, B. Depths 0-800 m via the MEDITS programme, and C. Optical method in deep-sea areas with the use of ROV in the framework of Eratosthenes one-off research project. Details on each of the methodologies and the results are presented in the MSFD CY-Text Report. To assess whether D10C1 is in GES for the overall seabed, the average value of the amount of litter per km2 in the three methods was considered.

No trheshold has been defined for D10C2. See DescriptionParameter of the ElementStatus_CriteriaStatus_CriteriaValues sheet and MSFD Text Report for additional information

No trheshold has been defined for D10C2. See DescriptionParameter of the ElementStatus_CriteriaStatus_CriteriaValues sheet and MSFD Text Report for additional information

The Republic of Cyprus monitors micro-litter seasonally at six beaches by applying the methodology of TSG ML “Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas”. It should be noted that micro-litter sampling on beaches in Cyprus began in 2021, so the data collected do not cover the entire assessment period of 2017-2022. Specifically, five sampling points were defined along one 100 m transect line above the last high tide line. At each sampling point, a 0.5x0.5 m metallic quadrant was positioned on the beach and the contained sand up to 1 cm deep was collected. Five such samples were collected per 100 m of beach, per season. Each sand sample was then passed through a 5 mm metallic sieve and was subsequently homogenized. Then, 100 g of each sample underwent a separation process by flotation in a NaCl solution, to remove organic matter. The following parameters were then measured in each sample: See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information • Total number of microplastics per kg • Number of fragments per kg • Number of fibres per kg • Number of pellets per kg • Items per colour per kg Furthermore, no TVs have been defined by the EU for micro-litter yet. In addition, in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, the content of microplastics in beach sand has not yet been defined as a Common Indicator for the assessment of the status of the marine environment and, consequently, no TVs exist to evaluate the results obtained in Cyprus. See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information

Micro-litter seabed sampling for shallow depths (<30 m) via scuba diving began in 2024 and therefore no data are available for this cycle. However, micro-litter in the deep-sea were assessed in the framework of the Eratosthenes Project.See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information The Republic of Cyprus, assessed micro-litter at seven sites of Eratosthenes Seamount, in the framework of the Eratosthenes Project, between the 30 December and 7 January 2021. At each site, sediment samples were collected with a Van-Veen grab and stored in the freezer. Laboratory sediment post-processing analysis included drying and filtration of the sediment. Filters were then analysed using an infrared imaging microscope and an image processing software, according to GESAMP (2019). Analyses included the estimation in each sample of the number of micro-litter particles: (i) per kg, (ii) per size (20-500, 500-1000, 1000-5000 μm), (iIi) per colour; (iv) per shape (fragments; fibres; films; foam; beads) and (v) per type of polymer material (Castro et al., 2020; GESAMP, 2019). See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information

Micro-litter seabed sampling for shallow depths (<30 m) via scuba diving began in 2024 and therefore no data are available for this cycle. However, micro-litter in the deep-sea were assessed in the framework of the Eratosthenes Project.See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information The Republic of Cyprus, assessed micro-litter at seven sites of Eratosthenes Seamount, in the framework of the Eratosthenes Project, between the 30 December and 7 January 2021. At each site, sediment samples were collected with a Van-Veen grab and stored in the freezer. Laboratory sediment post-processing analysis included drying and filtration of the sediment. Filters were then analysed using an infrared imaging microscope and an image processing software, according to GESAMP (2019). Analyses included the estimation in each sample of the number of micro-litter particles: (i) per kg, (ii) per size (20-500, 500-1000, 1000-5000 μm), (iIi) per colour; (iv) per shape (fragments; fibres; films; foam; beads) and (v) per type of polymer material (Castro et al., 2020; GESAMP, 2019). See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information

Micro-litter seabed sampling for shallow depths (<30 m) via scuba diving began in 2024 and therefore no data are available for this cycle. However, micro-litter in the deep-sea were assessed in the framework of the Eratosthenes Project.See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information The Republic of Cyprus, assessed micro-litter at seven sites of Eratosthenes Seamount, in the framework of the Eratosthenes Project, between the 30 December and 7 January 2021. At each site, sediment samples were collected with a Van-Veen grab and stored in the freezer. Laboratory sediment post-processing analysis included drying and filtration of the sediment. Filters were then analysed using an infrared imaging microscope and an image processing software, according to GESAMP (2019). Analyses included the estimation in each sample of the number of micro-litter particles: (i) per kg, (ii) per size (20-500, 500-1000, 1000-5000 μm), (iIi) per colour; (iv) per shape (fragments; fibres; films; foam; beads) and (v) per type of polymer material (Castro et al., 2020; GESAMP, 2019). See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information

No trheshold has been defined for D10C3. See DescriptionParameter of the ElementStatus_CriteriaStatus_CriteriaValues sheet and MSFD Text Report for additional information

The Republic of Cyprus assessed marine litter during the period 2021-2022 in deceased specimens of Caretta caretta (three in 2021 and six in 2022) and Chelonia mydas (11 in 2021 and 14 in 2022). All specimens were collected from the sea and beaches of the Republic of Cyprus and at each of the investigated specimens, all marine litter items were recorded according to the MSFD Protocol. Parameters examined Amount of marine litter ingested by marine animals • amount of litter/micro-litter in grams (g) and • number of items per individual for each species in relation to size (weight or length, as appropriate) of the sampled individual A D10C3 TV has not yet been defined, at either the UNEP/MAP or EU level . See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information

The Republic of Cyprus assessed marine litter during the period 2021-2022 in deceased specimens of Caretta caretta (three in 2021 and six in 2022) and Chelonia mydas (11 in 2021 and 14 in 2022). All specimens were collected from the sea and beaches of the Republic of Cyprus and at each of the investigated specimens, all marine litter items were recorded according to the MSFD Protocol. Parameters examined Amount of marine litter ingested by marine animals • amount of litter/micro-litter in grams (g) and • number of items per individual for each species in relation to size (weight or length, as appropriate) of the sampled individual A D10C3 TV has not yet been defined, at either the UNEP/MAP or EU level. See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information

No trheshold has been defined for D10C4. See DescriptionParameter of the ElementStatus_CriteriaStatus_CriteriaValues sheet and MSFD Text Report for additional information

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) has been assigned as an indicator in both OSPAR and the Barcelona Convention, as well as in MSFD, to assess GES on a Mediterranean and European scales. The reporting unit for D10C4 is the “number of individuals affected (lethal; sub-lethal) per species”. It is noted that no TVs have been defined yet. DFMR collects information on sea turtles, cetaceans and Mediterranean monk seal sightings and strandings from DFMR staff, citizens etc., and records them, among other data, into an internal electronic database (Thetis database), which is not publicly available. Furthermore, the cause of death, where possible, is recorded when analysing macro- and micro-litter in deceased sea turtle specimens (see D10C3 for more information). See MSFD CY-Text Report for additional information