The global objective is: "Seas without harming marine species and habitats through the impact of human activities". The objective is implemented by means of the operational objectives UZ3.1, UZN3.2, UZN3.3, UZN3.4 and UZN3.5. The environmental objectives established in 2012 and their description under the 2012 MSFD report continue to apply. They are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text report shows the achievement of objectives and/or the state of implementation of the measures. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment is available on progress towards achieving the target will this be reported in the Progress Assessment.

Sufficient spatial and temporal refuge and rest zones for ecosystem components exist. In order to protect against anthropogenic interference, for instance unused and/or restricted areas will be established ("no-take-zones and "no-take-times" for fisheries in accordance with the rules of the CFP)(see inter alia, Recital 39 of the MSFD). The environmental objectives established by Germany in 2012 are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text report shows the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment. However, for birds, fish, mammals and benthic habitats, it was established that the environmental target UZ3.1. was not met.

The structure and function of food webs and marine habitats will not be adversely affected further by by-catches, discards and bottom-trawlers. The regeneration of those parts of the ecosystem that have been damaged due to past interventions will be sought. The functional groups of biological characteristics (MSFD Annex III Table 1) or their food base are not endangered. The environmental objectives established by Germany in 2012 are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text of the text shows the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment. However, in relation to birds, it was found that the environmental objective was not achieved.

If, taking into account the effects of climate change, the environmental conditions are met for the successful reintroduction of locally extinct or endangered species, their resettlement or the stabilisation of their populations will be sought, as well as other causes of risk for these species removed in sufficiently large marine areas. Species that have been extinct in the German North Sea locally or whose numbers have fallen to a level putting stocks at risk include for example, the sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), the Helgoland Lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the European oyster (Ostrea edulis). The environmental objectives established by Germany in 2012 are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text report shows the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment.

Human infrastructures and uses do not pose a threat to the natural distribution (including migration) of species for which passable migration corridors present essential habitats. The environmental objectives established by Germany in 2012 are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text of the text shows the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment. However, in relation to birds, it was found that the environmental objective was not achieved.

The objective is "seas without interference from anthropogenic energy inputs". The objective is implemented by means of the operational objectives UZ6.1, UZN6.2, UZN6.3, UZN6.4 and UZN6.5. The environmental objectives established in 2012 and their description under the 2012 MSFD report continue to apply. They are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text report describes the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment.

Anthropogenic noise by sound signals and shock waves does not cause physical harm (e.g. a temporary hearing threshold shift in harbour porpoises) and no significant disturbance of marine species. The environmental objectives established by Germany in 2012 are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text report shows the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment.

Noise inputs due to continuous, especially low-frequency broadband noises have no negative spatial and temporal effects, such as significant (substantial) disturbances (expulsion from habitats, masking of biologically relevant signals, etc.) and physical damage to marine species. As continuous noise inputs predominantly originate from the shipping sector, the specific operational objective of reducing the contribution of noise stemming from ships to the background levels should be aimed for. The environmental objectives established by Germany in 2012 are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text report describes the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment.

The anthropogenic heat input does not have negative geographic and temporal impacts or does not exceed the agreed limit values. The Wadden Sea does not exceed a temperature increase in sediment of 2 K at a depth of 30 cm and does not exceed a temperature increase of 2 K in the EEZ of 20 cm. The environmental objectives established by Germany in 2012 are the basis for the 2016-2021 programme of measures notified to the European Commission in 2016. Since the implementation of the measures was only started in 2016, an assessment of the progress and effectiveness of the measures as a basis for updating the environmental objectives is often not yet possible. Where possible, the text report describes the achievement of objectives and the state of implementation of the measures respectively. Only in individual cases where an indicator assessment on progress towards achieving the target is available, will this be reported in the Progress Assessment.