The overall objective is: “Marine with sustainable and low impact resources”. The objective is given concrete expression by the operational objectives UZN4.1, UZN4.2, UZN4.3, UZN4.4, UZN4.5 and UZN4.6.

Operational objective: Within the protected areas in the German North Sea, the protection objectives and purposes come first. The specific public interests of coastal protection in the exploitation of non-living resources must be taken into account and only taken into account after a thorough assessment of alternatives. Target specification: By 2 030.30 % of marine areas are protected under the EU Biodiversity Strategy and OSPAR in a representative and coherent network of protected areas under Article 13(4) of the MSFD. Of these, at least one third (or 10 % of the sea area) are strictly protected.

Operational environmental objective: The exploitation or exploration of non-living resources does not damage or significantly disturb the ecosystem components of the German North Sea, in particular sensitive, declining and protected species and habitats. Particular attention shall be paid to the breeding, rearing, moulting, hibernation and migration periods and to the breeding, resting and feeding sites of the species concerned.

The objective is to “maritime environments not affected by anthropogenic energy inputs”. The objective is given concrete expression by the operational objectives UZN6.1, UZN6.2, UZN6.3, UZN6.4 and UZN6.5.

Operational environmental objective Anthropogenic heat input has no negative spatial and temporal effects or does not exceed the agreed limit values. In the Wadden Sea, a temperature increase in the sediment of 2K at 30 cm depth is not exceeded, and in the EEZ a temperature increase of 2K at 20 cm sediment depth is not exceeded. Target specification: Compliance with legal limits

The objective is “Oceans with natural hydromorphological characteristics”. The objective is given concrete expression by the operational objectives UZN7.1, UZN7.2 and UZN7.3.

Operational environmental objective: The (partial) catchment areas of the watt zones are in natural balance. The substrate forms present are in their typical and dynamic equilibrium proportions. There is natural variability in salinity.

Operational environmental objective: The sum of the influences on hydrological processes has no adverse impacts on marine ecosystems.

Operational environmental objective: Changes in habitats, and in particular in habitat functions (e.g. spawning, nursery and feeding grounds or migration/traffic routes of fish, birds and mammals) due to anthropogenic changes in hydrographic conditions do not, alone or cumulatively, endanger species and habitats or cause populations to decline.