Member State report / Art11 / 2020 / D4 / Cyprus / Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2020-10-15
GES Descriptor D4 Food webs/D1 Ecosystems
Member State Cyprus
Region/subregion Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea
Reported by Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environm
Report date 2020-12-14
Report access

Descriptor
D4/D1
D4/D1
Monitoring strategy description
Cyprus implemented the program code MALCY-D04 in the geographical area of MAL-CY-MS. This monitoring program is listed as inactive and included the data collection of food webs in the water column. Michailidis et al. (2019) developed a trophic mass-balance Ecopath model to describe the structure and functioning of the insular shelf ecosystem of the Republic of Cyprus and assess the impact of fishing and alien species during the mid-2010s. A total of 40 functional groups were defined, ranging from producers and detritus to top predators and when possible, alien species were included in exclusively alien groups. Biomass of each functional group was estimated using data from visual surveys for depths from 0 to 50 m, and bottom trawl surveys for depths from 50 to 200 m, as well as from available literature.
Cyprus implemented the program code MALCY-D04 in the geographical area of MAL-CY-MS. This monitoring program is listed as inactive and included the data collection of food webs in the water column. Michailidis et al. (2019) developed a trophic mass-balance Ecopath model to describe the structure and functioning of the insular shelf ecosystem of the Republic of Cyprus and assess the impact of fishing and alien species during the mid-2010s. A total of 40 functional groups were defined, ranging from producers and detritus to top predators and when possible, alien species were included in exclusively alien groups. Biomass of each functional group was estimated using data from visual surveys for depths from 0 to 50 m, and bottom trawl surveys for depths from 50 to 200 m, as well as from available literature.
Coverage of GES criteria
Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024
Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024
Gaps and plans
A long-term monitoring plan using methodologies and rationale described in Michailidis et al. (2019) should be implemented to bring Program D4 – Food Webs into GES. Additionally, sediment should be collected at various locations within Cypriot territorial waters so that a stable isotope analysis may be conducted to better understand the trophic structure of the marine system. Stable isotopes can be used to determine food web linkages between trophic levels within and among various project areas. Stable isotopes can be used in this manner because the biochemical signature of consumers reflects what they are eating and the food sources at the base of the food web. By using stable isotope analysis, it is possible to develop qualitative assessments about energy flows throughout the food web and across trophic transfers (Middelburg 2011, Parzanini et al. 2019).
A long-term monitoring plan using methodologies and rationale described in Michailidis et al. (2019) should be implemented to bring Program D4 – Food Webs into GES. Additionally, sediment should be collected at various locations within Cypriot territorial waters so that a stable isotope analysis may be conducted to better understand the trophic structure of the marine system. Stable isotopes can be used to determine food web linkages between trophic levels within and among various project areas. Stable isotopes can be used in this manner because the biochemical signature of consumers reflects what they are eating and the food sources at the base of the food web. By using stable isotope analysis, it is possible to develop qualitative assessments about energy flows throughout the food web and across trophic transfers (Middelburg 2011, Parzanini et al. 2019).
Related targets
Coverage of targets
Related measures
Coverage of measures
Related monitoring programmes
  • D04
  • D04
Programme code
D04
D04
Programme name
Food Webs
Food Webs
Update type
New programme
New programme
Old programme codes
Programme description
Cyprus implemented the program code MALCY-D04 in the geographical area of MAL-CY-MS. This monitoring program involves data collection of food webs in the water column.
Cyprus implemented the program code MALCY-D04 in the geographical area of MAL-CY-MS. This monitoring program involves data collection of food webs in the water column.
Monitoring purpose
  • Environmental state and impacts
  • Environmental state and impacts
Other policies and conventions
  • Data Collection Framework Multi-Annual Plan (Common Fisheries Policy)
  • General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean
  • Habitats Directive
  • International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
  • Data Collection Framework Multi-Annual Plan (Common Fisheries Policy)
  • General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean
  • Habitats Directive
  • International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
Regional cooperation - coordinating body
Regional cooperation - countries involved
Regional cooperation - implementation level
Monitoring details
Features
Demersal shelf fish
Demersal shelf fish
Elements
  • Epinephelus aeneus
  • Epinephelus aeneus
GES criteria
D1C2
D1C3
Parameters
  • Biomass
  • Size distribution
Parameter Other
Spatial scope
  • Territorial waters
  • Territorial waters
Marine reporting units
  • MAL-CY-MS
  • MAL-CY-MS
Temporal scope (start date - end date)
2014-9999
2014-9999
Monitoring frequency
Yearly
Yearly
Monitoring type
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • Visual observation
  • In-situ sampling coastal
  • Visual observation
Monitoring method
  • International bottom trawl survey in the Mediterranean Manual (Version 9)
  • WFD Guidance document n.° 7 - Monitoring under the Water Framework Directive (monitoring framework)
  • International bottom trawl survey in the Mediterranean Manual (Version 9)
  • WFD Guidance document n.° 7 - Monitoring under the Water Framework Directive (monitoring framework)
Monitoring method other
Quality control
Monitoring Quality Control according to monitoring manuals.
Monitoring Quality Control according to monitoring manuals.
Data management
Data access
Related indicator/name
Contact
References