Art11

Member State report / Art11 / 2020 / D10 / Estonia / Baltic 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	D10 Litter
Member State	Estonia
Region/subregion	Baltic Sea
Reported by	Estonian Environment Agency
Report date	2020-11-11
Report access	ART11_Programmes_Merge_EE_v5.xml msfd-ART11_Strategies_ea.xml

Simplified table

Descriptor	D10
Monitoring strategy description	The aim of the monitoring strategy “SD10 – Litter” is to collect data on the abundance, characteristics, distribution and fate of litter in the marine environment. Data on coastal litter and at the seabed as well as micro-particles in water (sea surface), sediments and marine organisms are collected. The human-induced pressures in the environment and status are assessed for the HELCOM sub-basins and coastal water bodies. Beach litter and micro-particles in water and sediments are monitored yearly while litter at the seabed is monitored in each coastal water body once in six years. The following monitoring programmes produce relevant data for the status assessments: “Litter – characteristics and abundance/volume on coast and seabed”, “Litter micro-particles – abundance in water, sediment, and organisms”. Additional information is provided by programmes "Coastal fish", "Off-shore fish", "Birds – mortality due to oil pollution", "Seabed habitats – community characteristics" and "Phytobenthic communities". Information on the uses and human activities causing litter pollution is collected in the programme “Marine and coastal activities”.
Coverage of GES criteria	Adequate monitoring is in place by July 2020
Gaps and plans	Macro-litter monitoring is mostly project-based. Studies have been carried out to develop an optimal monitoring plan for marine litter. Macro-litter monitoring on the seabed should be carried out together with the monitoring of benthic communities in the coastal sea. The current methodology for monitoring of macro-litter on the seabed covers only the shallow coastal sea, the data for deeper sea areas are not collected and relevant monitoring methods need to be developed. Micro-litter in the seabed sediment is not monitored regularly, only project-based researches are carried out. There is no monitoring of micro-litter on the coastline (may additionally be monitored according to the GES decision) and in marine animals (required for impact assessments). Several pilot studies are underway to give a comprehensive overview of the necessity of regular monitoring and how it should be conducted. There is no common harmonised micro-litter monitoring methodology for different matrixes (water, sediment, biota) agreed at the EU or RSC (HELCOM) level yet.
Related targets	BALEE-T33 BALEE-T35 Target 26
Coverage of targets	Adequate monitoring is in place by July 2020
Related measures	BALEE-M008 - 'Application of electronic reporting system for fishing gears to better control fishing and avoid abandoning of fishing gear' BALEE-M010 - 'Management of direct discharges of storm water to minimise the load of nutrients, contaminants and litter' BALEE-M013 - 'Pilot study analysing the organisation of marine litter reception, including abandoned fishing gear, in ports and preparing an action plan' BALEE-M014 - 'Environmental awareness raising about marine litter and preventing plastic packages entering the sea' BALEE-M015 - 'Addressing the topic of marine litter in the National Waste Management Plan and in the waste management plans of local authorities in the coastal area'
Coverage of measures	Adequate monitoring is in place by July 2020
Related monitoring programmes	BALEE-D00-40_MarineAndCoastalActivities BALEE-D010403-7_FishCoastal BALEE-D010403-8_FishOffshore BALEE-D010406-12_SeabedHabitat BALEE-D01040605-13_SeabedVegetationZone BALEE-D08-35_BirdsWashedAshore BALEE-D10-36_MacroLitter BALEE-D10-37_MicroLitter
Programme code	BALEE-D00-40_MarineAndCoastalActivities																							BALEE-D010403-7_FishCoastal																									BALEE-D010403-8_FishOffshore							BALEE-D010406-12_SeabedHabitat			BALEE-D01040605-13_SeabedVegetationZone						BALEE-D08-35_BirdsWashedAshore			BALEE-D10-36_MacroLitter	BALEE-D10-37_MicroLitter
Programme name	Marine and coastal activities																							Coastal fish																									Off-shore fish							Seabed habitats – community characteristics			Phytobenthic communities						Birds – mortality due to oil pollution (birds washed ashore)			Macrolitter – characteristics and abundance/volume on coast and seabed	Litter micro-particles – abundance in water, sediment, and organisms
Update type	Modified from 2014																							Modified from 2014																									Same programme as in 2014							Modified from 2014			Same programme as in 2014						Modified from 2014			Modified from 2014	Modified from 2014
Old programme codes	BALEE-D00-39_CoastalOffshoreActivities																							BALEE-D010403-7_FishCoastal BALEE-D010403-9_FishMigratory																																BALEE-D010406-12_SeabedHabitat BALEE-D010406-17_ComStockFurcellaria									BALEE-D08-34_BirdsWashedAshore			BALEE-D10-35_MacroLitter	BALEE-D10-36_MicroLitter
Programme description	The aim of the monitoring programme is to collect data on human activities that directly or indirectly impact the marine environment. The monitored human activities are those listed in the MSFD Annex III Table 2b (2017/845/EC) and relevant for point (c) of Article 8(1), and Articles 10 and 13. The following activities are covered: Coastal defence and flood protection; Offshore structures (other than for oil/gas/renewables); Restructuring of seabed morphology, including dredging and depositing of materials; Extraction of minerals; Extraction of oil and gas, including infrastructure; Extraction of water; Renewable energy generation (wind, wave and tidal power), including infrastructure; Transmission of electricity and communications (cables); Fish harvesting (professional, recreational); Fish and shellfish processing; Marine plant harvesting; Hunting and collecting for other purposes; Aquaculture — marine, including infrastructure; Transport infrastructure; Transport — shipping; Waste treatment and disposal; Tourism and leisure infrastructure; Tourism and leisure activities; Military operations and Research, survey and educational activities. Data are gathered at least once during a six-year assessment period, but in some cases also annually. The system of such data collection activities is still under development. The programme corresponds to the following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Activities extracting living resources (fisheries including recreational, marine plant harvesting, hunting and collecting); Activities extracting non-living resources (sand, gravel, dredging); Activities producing food (aquaculture); Activities with permanent infrastructures (e.g. renewable energy, oil & gas, ports) or structural changes (e.g. coastal defences); Sea-based mobile activities (shipping, boating); Coastal human activities (e.g. tourism, recreational sports, ecotourism). The programme is the further development of the programme presented in 2014. The code of the programme also changed.																							The aim of the programme is to monitor the status of the coastal fish species and communities (Species composition of the group; Size, age and sex structure; fecundity, survival and mortality/injury rates; Habitat for the species (extent, suitability); Species abundance (numbers of individuals and/or biomass)). It provides data to monitoring strategy “SD1.4 Biodiversity – Fish”, „SD3–Commercially exploited fish“ and “SD4/SD1 Food webs / Biodiversity – ecosystems”, but also to “SD2– Non-indigenous species”. The program is regionally coordinated by HELCOM (partially also by ICES) and the HELCOM monitoring manual is followed. During the annual monitoring programme, all coastal fish species are included in the dataset, but special attention is directed towards economically significant or ecologically relevant key species (perch, flounder, pikeperch). Atlantic salmon is used as an indicator species for migratory (anadromous) fishes and is monitored in coastal waters and selected rivers (salmonid habitats). Monitoring of protected fish species under HD needs to be developed for the sea area as well. The programme was modified from 2014 by adding migratory fishes that were as a separate sub-programme in 2014. The programme corresponds to following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Mobile species – distribution, abundance and/or biomass; Mobile species – population characteristics; Mobile species – mortality/injury rates from fisheries (targeted and/or incidental).																									The aim of the programme is to monitor the status of the commercially exploited pelagic fish species – sprat and herring in the offshore areas of the Estonian marine waters. The biomass and fishing mortality of stocks are assessed. It provides data to monitoring strategy “SD1.4 Biodiversity – Fish” and „SD3-commercially exploited fish“. Monitoring is conducted annually. The program is regionally coordinated via ICES and the ICES monitoring manual is followed. The programme corresponds to following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Mobile species – distribution, abundance and/or biomass; Mobile species – mortality/injury rates from fisheries (targeted and/or incidental).							The aim of the programme is to monitor the status of benthic habitats (presence, distribution, abundance, biomass of the species; characteristics of the sediment and near-bottom water layer; distribution characteristics of loose Furcellaria lumbricalis community). It provides data to monitoring strategy „SD6/SD1 Sea-floor integrity/Biological diversity – benthic habitats“ as well as “SD5 – Eutrophication”. The programme is related to GES Descriptor D6, Criterion D6C5; Descriptor D5 Criterions D5C5, D5C7 and D5C8. Data are gathered to assess spatial variability, temporal trends and environmental status in coastal water bodies and off-shore sub-basins of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM sub-divisions) in response to pressure levels. Monitoring is conducted yearly, bi-annually or at least once in six years with a frequency of once a year at the designated monitoring stations. The program is partly regionally coordinated via HELCOM (soft-bottom habitats) and the HELCOM monitoring manual is followed conducting certain elements of the programme. Data are reported to the national environmental monitoring database KESE and ICES (HELCOM Combine). The programme has been changed since 2014 by adding the part about the commercial stock of Furcellaria lumbricalis (former sub-programme BALEE-D010406-17_ComStockFurcellaria). The programme corresponds to the following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Seabed habitats – community characteristics; Benthic species – abundance and/or biomass; Seabed habitats - distribution and extent.			The aim of the programme is to monitor phytobenthic communities (species composition, coverage, abundance, biomass, depth distribution) along the depth gradient. It provides data to monitoring strategy “SD5 – Eutrophication”, as well as “SD6/SD1 Sea-floor integrity/Biological diversity – benthic habitats” and “SD2– Non-indigenous species”. The programme is related to GES Descriptor D5, Criterion D5C6 and Criterion D5C7, Descriptor D6, Criterion D6C5. Data are gathered to assess spatial variability, temporal trends and environmental status in coastal water bodies and off-shore sub-basins of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM sub-divisions) in response to pressure levels. Monitoring is conducted in coastal waters yearly or at least once per six years with a frequency once a year at the designated monitoring stations (at least 3 stations in each coastal water body). The program is regionally partly coordinated via HELCOM and the HELCOM monitoring manual is followed (soft-bottom habitats). Data are yearly reported to the national environmental monitoring database KESE (by 1 March). The programme corresponds to the following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Seabed habitats – community characteristics; Benthic species – abundance and/or biomass.						The aim of the programme is to assess the impact of oil pollution on water birds. It provides data to monitoring strategy “SD8 – Contaminants” and is related to GES Descriptor D8, Criteria D8C2 and D8C4, and potentially provides data for monitoring strategy „SD1.1 – Biological diversity – Birds“. Data are gathered to assess the impact of human-induced pressures. Monitoring is conducted twice a year (spring and autumn) by counting dead birds washed ashore along the selected monitoring sites (on beaches). The species and their contamination by oil are recorded, and data are reported as the number of dead birds per 1 km of coastline. The monitoring program is regionally not coordinated yet. Data are yearly reported to the national environmental monitoring database KESE (by 1 March). The programme corresponds to the following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Mobile species – mortality/injury rates from other human activities. The programme is essentially the same as in 2014, only the code was changed.			The aim of the programme is to monitor the abundance of macrolitter and litter items on the coast and at the seabed. It provides data to monitoring strategy “SD10 – Litter” and is related to GES Descriptor D10, Criterion D10C1. Data are gathered to assess the pressure levels in the marine environment, environmental status in coastal waters and efficiency of measures. Seabed litter monitoring is conducted yearly in some monitoring transects (in areas with human impact and background sites) or at least once during six years. For beach litter, monitoring is conducted annually three times a year. The monitoring programme is regionally coordinated via HELCOM – the HELCOM guidelines for monitoring of beach litter are followed (joint monitoring strategy is regionally agreed). For litter at seabed regionally coordinated data collection is agreed, but data are delivered separately by each country and monitoring guidelines are under development. Monitoring of floating litter and ingested litter is not regionally coordinated. Data are yearly reported to the national environmental monitoring database KESE. The threshold values for the indicators are preliminarily set, but need to be agreed at EU level. The programme corresponds to the following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Litter - characteristics and abundance/volume on coast, water surface, seabed. The programme has been changed since 2014, marine macrolitter monitoring is also conducted at benthic habitats' transects now. The code of the programme was also changed.	The aim of the programme is to monitor the abundance of micro-particles in water (sea surface), sediments and marine organisms. It provides data to monitoring strategy “SD10 – Litter” and is related to GES Descriptor D10, Criterion D10C2, potentially as well D10C3 and D10C4. Data are gathered to assess the pressure levels in the marine environment, environmental status in coastal waters and off-shore sub-basins of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM sub-divisions), inputs of litter and effectiveness of measures. Monitoring is conducted yearly or at least once in six years with a seasonal coverage of three samplings a year for monitoring of micro-particles in water. Sampling from sediments is done once a year (rotation is used) and from organisms project-based researches are carried out. The program is not regionally coordinated, but HELCOM guidelines are under development. Data are yearly reported to the environmental monitoring database KESE (by 1 March). Threshold values for the indicators are preliminarily set, but need to be agreed regionally or at the European level (incl for criteria). The programme corresponds to the following monitoring programmes in the indicative list: Litter micro-particles - abundance/volume in water, sediment; Litter/micro-litter in biota. The programme and its code have been changed since 2014, micro-litter in sediments and ingested micro-litter are also covered by the programme now.
Monitoring purpose	Effectiveness of measures Human activities causing the pressures Pressures at source Pressures in the marine environment																							Effectiveness of measures Environmental state and impacts Human activities causing the pressures																									Effectiveness of measures Environmental state and impacts Human activities causing the pressures							Environmental state and impacts			Environmental state and impacts Pressures in the marine environment						Effectiveness of measures Environmental state and impacts Pressures in the marine environment			Effectiveness of measures Environmental state and impacts Human activities causing the pressures Pressures in the marine environment	Effectiveness of measures Environmental state and impacts Pressures at source Pressures in the marine environment
Other policies and conventions	Bathing Water Directive Birds Directive Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Data Collection Framework Multi-Annual Plan (Common Fisheries Policy) Habitats Directive IMO-BWM Maritime Spatial Planning Directive Minamata Convention on Mercury Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation National Emission Ceilings Directive Nitrates Directive Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutions (POPs) Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive Water Framework Directive																							Data Collection Framework Multi-Annual Plan (Common Fisheries Policy) Habitats Directive Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation																									Data Collection Framework Multi-Annual Plan (Common Fisheries Policy)							Habitats Directive Water Framework Directive			Habitats Directive Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation Water Framework Directive						Birds Directive			HELCOM Monitoring programmes Monitoring programme targeting at national legislation Waste Framework Directive
Regional cooperation - coordinating body																								HELCOM																									Other							HELCOM			HELCOM									HELCOM	HELCOM
Regional cooperation - countries involved
Regional cooperation - implementation level																								Coordinated data collection																									Agreed data collection methods							Coordinated data collection			Coordinated data collection									Coordinated data collection
Monitoring details																								Data on all coastal fish species are being collected annually in discrete monitoring areas within the national fisheries data collection programme (https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/kalandus/kalanduse-riiklik-andmekoguminen-programm-akp).																									For monitoring offshore fish species the hydro-acoustic surveys and scientific trawlings are carried out. In addition, ICES coordinated cruises (BIAS, BITS) are carried out and the data are submitted to the ICES database.							Seabed habitats monitoring combines different monitoring methodologies of monitoring of phyto- and zoobenthos. The monitoring for assessment of the Habitat Directive habitat types includes both, visual observations within ecological belts and in-situ sampling in representative sites. The total coverage, species abundance and coverage are registered as well as bottom sediment type. Biomass samples are collected by divers or grab samplers (soft bottom). Within the monitoring of commercial stock of Furcellaria lumbricalis, the thickness of algae layer, Secchi depth, temperature and dissolved oxygen in the near-bottom layer are also measured. The methodology for monitoring and assessment of habitat types 1130, 1150 and 1160 is still under development. Monitoring of seabed habitats of coastal water bodies includes determination of the presence and abundance of all species, coverage, sediment type and distribution depth limit within a transect. The observations are carried out at different transect depths up to macrophyte depth limit both by visual observation or using underwater video remote observation method once a year (from July to August). Quantitative samples are collected with the 20x20 metal frame and deep-freezed for laboratory analysis (excluding Furcellaria lumbricalis stock samples). In the laboratory, the species composition and species wet weight (red algae stock) or dry weight (seabed habitats and habitat types) per 1m2 are determined. The monitoring and data collection is partly coordinated by HELCOM and for softbottom habitats only.			The presence of species, total coverage and maximum distribution depth are registered during visual observations or using underwater video remote observation method. In the monitoring site, the total coverage of phytobenthos, species presence and their coverage, as well as sediment type are observed. Quantitative samples are collected by a diver with the 20x20 metal frame (in triplicate) and deep-freezed for laboratory analysis. In the laboratory, the species composition and dry weight of each species per 1m2 are determined. In frames of coastal waters monitoring, the total nitrogen, total phosphorus (6x per year) and PAR and water temperature are also registered (continuous measurements during 3-month period) in each monitoring area as supplementary information.						The monitoring is carried out twice a year in four designated areas: in spring, usually in April and May, when migratory waterbirds have not left yet, and in autumn, usually in late October or early November, when the autumn migration of birds is ending. In some monitoring areas additional winter and spring observations have also been conducted at the initiative of observers. The number of dead birds is characterized by the density (number of individuals/km). At certain monitoring area, all dead birds or their remains washed ashore are counted. Residues that are difficult to determine are collected with reference material for later determination. In addition, dead seals found during the observations are recorded. The main parameters obtained as a result of monitoring are the density of dead waterbirds (individuals/ km) and the proportion of oil-stained waterbirds of all found waterbirds (%). The monitoring is carried out in frames of the national environmental monitoring programme (Wildlife diversity and landscape monitoring subprogramme, monitoring activity Birds washed ashore).			Beach litter monitoring is conducted annually at up to 10 monitoring areas (in case of rotation at least once every 3 years). The annual monitoring includes three observation periods - spring, summer and autumn. The quantities of litter on the seabed are monitored on a project basis yet (ordered by the Ministry of the Environment or the Environment Agency), at least once every six years, as the quantities of litter are small.	Trawling the water surface layer and seabed sediment sampling are conducted for monitoring the microlitter in the marine environment. For ingested microlitter monitoring, fish and mussels are collected.
Features	Aquaculture – marine, including infrastructure	Fish and shellfish harvesting (professional, recreational)	Hunting and collecting for other purposes	Marine plant harvesting	Extraction of minerals (rock, metal ores, gravel, sand, shell)	Extraction of oil and gas, including infrastructure	Extraction of water	Military operations (subject to Article 2(2))	Transmission of electricity and communications (cables)	Renewable energy generation (wind, wave and tidal power), including infrastructure	Research, survey and educational activities	Coastal defence and flood protection	Offshore structures (other than for oil/gas/renewables)	Restructuring of seabed morphology, including dredging and depositing of materials	Tourism and leisure activities	Tourism and leisure infrastructure	Transport infrastructure	Transport – shipping	Waste treatment and disposal	Input of other substances (e.g. synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) – diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition, acute events	Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)	Input of nutrients – diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition	Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous)	Extraction of, or mortality/injury to, wild species (by commercial and recreational fishing and other activities)	Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)	Coastal fish			Demersal shelf fish		Pelagic shelf fish	Coastal fish		Demersal shelf fish	Pelagic shelf fish	Coastal fish	Demersal shelf fish	Pelagic shelf fish	Commercially exploited fish and shellfish								Coastal ecosystems		Extraction of, or mortality/injury to, wild species (by commercial and recreational fishing and other activities)	Pelagic shelf fish			Commercially exploited fish and shellfish			Litter in the environment	Benthic broad habitats		Litter in the environment	Input or spread of non-indigenous species		Eutrophication		Benthic broad habitats	Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)	Acute pollution events	Adverse effects on species or habitats	Litter in the environment	Micro-litter in the environment	Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
Elements	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable			Abramis brama Alburnus alburnus Alosa fallax Ammodytes tobianus Blicca bjoerkna Carassius carassius Carassius gibelio Coregonus maraena Cyprinus carpio Esox lucius Gadus morhua Gobius niger Gymnocephalus cernua Hyperoplus lanceolatus Lampetra fluviatilis Leuciscus aspius Leuciscus idus Leuciscus leuciscus Lota lota Neogobius melanostomus Osmerus eperlanus Rutilus rutilus Scardinius erythrophthalmus Scophthalmus maximus [Psetta maxima] Squalius cephalus Tinca tinca Vimba vimba Zoarces viviparus	Anguilla anguilla	Cobitis taenia Coregonus widegreni Gobio gobio Platichthys flesus Platichthys solemdali Sander lucioperca	Cottus gobio Myoxocephalus quadricornis Myoxocephalus scorpius Taurulus bubalis	Perca fluviatilis	Belone belone Clupea harengus Coregonus albula Coregonus lavaretus Cyclopterus lumpus Pelecus cultratus Salmo salar Salmo trutta trutta Sprattus sprattus	Abramis brama Alburnus alburnus Alosa fallax Ammodytes tobianus Anguilla anguilla Blicca bjoerkna Carassius carassius Carassius gibelio Coregonus maraena Cyprinus carpio Esox lucius Gadus morhua Gobius niger Gymnocephalus cernua Hyperoplus lanceolatus Lampetra fluviatilis Leuciscus aspius Leuciscus idus Leuciscus leuciscus Lota lota Neogobius melanostomus Osmerus eperlanus Rutilus rutilus Scardinius erythrophthalmus Scophthalmus maximus [Psetta maxima] Squalius cephalus Tinca tinca Vimba vimba Zoarces viviparus	Cobitis taenia Coregonus widegreni Gobio gobio Platichthys flesus Platichthys solemdali Sander lucioperca	Cottus gobio Myoxocephalus quadricornis Myoxocephalus scorpius Perca fluviatilis Taurulus bubalis	Belone belone Clupea harengus Coregonus albula Coregonus lavaretus Cyclopterus lumpus Pelecus cultratus Salmo salar Salmo trutta trutta Sprattus sprattus	Cobitis taenia	Cottus gobio	Coregonus lavaretus	Clupea harengus	Perca fluviatilis Platichthys flesus Platichthys solemdali Sander lucioperca	Clupea harengus	Perca fluviatilis Platichthys flesus Platichthys solemdali Salmo salar Sander lucioperca	Clupea harengus	Perca fluviatilis Platichthys flesus Platichthys solemdali	Salmo salar	Sander lucioperca	Fish community			Clupea harengus Sprattus sprattus			Clupea harengus Sprattus sprattus			Macrolitter (all)	Benthic habitats	Circalittoral coarse sediment Circalittoral mixed sediment Circalittoral mud Circalittoral rock and biogenic reef Circalittoral sand Infralittoral coarse sediment Infralittoral mixed sediment Infralittoral mud Infralittoral rock and biogenic reef Infralittoral sand	Macrolitter (all)	Not Applicable		Benthic habitats - opportunistic macroalgae	Benthic habitats - macrophyte communities	Benthic habitats Circalittoral coarse sediment Circalittoral mixed sediment Circalittoral mud Circalittoral rock and biogenic reef Circalittoral sand Infralittoral coarse sediment Infralittoral mixed sediment Infralittoral mud Infralittoral rock and biogenic reef Infralittoral sand	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Macrolitter (all)	Artificial polymer materials	Not Applicable
GES criteria	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan	NotRelevan			D1C2			D1C2		D1C2	D1C3		D1C3	D1C3	D1C4	D1C4	D1C4	D3C1		D3C2		D3C3				D4C1	D4C2		D1C1	D1C2	D1C3	D3C1	D3C2	D3C3	D10C1	D6C5		D10C1	D2C1	D2C2	D5C6	D5C7	D6C5	D10C4	D8C3	D8C4	D10C1	D10C2	D10C4
Parameters	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	Other	AMO-WC Amount on coastline Amount on seabed Other	Other	Level of sound Other			Abundance (number of individuals) Other		Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass Other	Abundance (number of individuals) Other	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass Other	Abundance (number of individuals) Other	Age distribution Length Sex distribution		Age distribution Length Sex distribution	Age distribution Length Sex distribution	Distribution (spatial)	Distribution (spatial)	Distribution (spatial)	Mortality rate	Other	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass of Spawning Stock (SSB)	Abundance (number of individuals) Other	Other	Length Other	Length	Length Other	Other	Abundance (number of individuals) Other		Mortality rate	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass	Age distribution	Mortality rate	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass of Spawning Stock (SSB)	Other	Amount on seabed	Extent Other	Other	Amount on seabed	Other Presence	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass	Other		Other	Other	Other	Other	Amount on coastline Amount on seabed Other	Other	Other
Parameter Other	Production (tonnes); Area; Nutrient load	Catch; By-catch	Number of individuals hunted by species (waterbird	Amount (kg); Area	Mining volume; Mining area; Area pressure index	Pipe length (area); Area pressure index	Volume	Number of explosions; Number of trainings; Trainin	Cable length (area); Area pressure index	Area; Area pressure index	Volume of costs on marine researches; Number of re	Length of defence structure; Coastline pressure in	Area of structure; Area pressure index	Soil volume; Extent; Area pressure index	Number of vacationists; Number of visits; People's	Number of marinas per coastline; Length of beach	Area; Volume (goods and passengers); Number of loa	Number of ships (incl. number of ships complying w	Areas of dumping sites and volume of dumped materi	Pollution load (tonnes/year) - Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn,	Amount in sediments; Litter type and material	Pollution load (tonnes/year) - N, P, BHT5	Number of disturbance days - Impulsive underwater			Mass (catch weight per unit effort)	Abundance index of European eel in monitoring catc	Mass (catch weight per unit effort)	Mass (catch weight per unit effort)		Mass (catch weight per unit effort)	Mass (catch weight per unit effort)	Mass (catch mass per unit effort)	Mass (catch mass per unit effort)	Mass (catch mass per unit effort)					Ratio between annual commercial catch and biomass		Mass (commercial catch weight per unit effort)	Age distribution	Age distribution; Sex distribution	Mass (commercial catch weight per unit effort)	Sex distribution; Age distribution	Species composition; Trophic level class of fish s	Abundance of coastal fish key functional groups (C							Age distribution		Species composition; Presence; Biomass; Maximum de			Abundance (number of individuals); Biomass		Species composition; Presence; Relative abundance		Species composition; Presence; Relative abundance	Number of individuals, which are adversely affecte	Presence	Abundance (number of dead individuals, ind/km); Ag	Litter type and material; Litter item	Amount in biota (ingested); Type of litter; Materi	Amount of microlitter; Litter type; Load
Spatial scope	Coastal waters (WFD) EEZ (or similar) Territorial waters																							Coastal waters (WFD) EEZ (or similar) Territorial waters																									EEZ (or similar) Territorial waters							Coastal waters (WFD) EEZ (or similar) Territorial waters			Coastal waters (WFD)						Coastal waters (WFD)			Coastal waters (WFD) EEZ (or similar) Territorial waters	Coastal waters (WFD) EEZ (or similar) Territorial waters
Marine reporting units	BAL-EE-AA BAL-EE-EGB BAL-EE-GF BAL-EE-GR BAL-EE-NBP																							BAL-AS-EE-ICES_SD_29 BAL-EE-AA BAL-EE-GR BAL-EGB-EE-EEEE_11 BAL-EGB-EE-ICES_SD_28-2 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_01 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_02 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_03 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_05 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_06 BAL-GF-EE-ICES_SD_32 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_07 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_08 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_09 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_13 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_14 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_16 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_17 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_18 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_19 BAL-GR-EE-ICES_SD_28-1 BAL-NBP-EE-EEEE_10																									BAL-EE-AA BAL-EE-EGB BAL-EE-GF BAL-EE-NBP							BAL-EE-AA BAL-EE-EGB BAL-EE-GF BAL-EE-GR BAL-EE-NBP BAL-EGB-EE-EEEE_11 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_01 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_02 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_03 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_05 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_06 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_07 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_08 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_09 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_13 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_14 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_16 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_17 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_18 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_19 BAL-NBP-EE-EEEE_10			BAL-EE-AA BAL-EGB-EE-EEEE_11 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_01 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_02 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_03 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_05 BAL-GF-EE-EEEE_06 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_07 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_08 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_09 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_13 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_14 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_16 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_17 BAL-GR-EE-EEEE_18 BAL-NBP-EE-EEEE_10						BAL-EE-AA			BAL-EE-AA BAL-EE-EGB-COASTAL BAL-EE-GF-COASTAL BAL-EE-GR-COASTAL BAL-EE-NBP-COASTAL	BAL-EE-AA BAL-EE-GF BAL-EE-GR BAL-EE-NBP
Temporal scope (start date - end date)	2015-9999																							1975-9999																									1992-9999							1974-9999			1995-9999						1992-9999			2012-9999	2016-9999
Monitoring frequency	Other																							Yearly																									Yearly							Other			Yearly						Other			Other	Yearly
Monitoring type	Administrative data collection																							In-situ sampling coastal In-situ sampling offshore																									In-situ sampling offshore							In-situ sampling coastal In-situ sampling offshore Remote surveillance Visual observation			In-situ sampling coastal Remote surveillance Visual observation						Visual observation			Remote surveillance Visual observation	In-situ sampling coastal In-situ sampling offshore
Monitoring method	OSPAR CEMP Guidelines for Monitoring and Assessment of loud, low and mid-frequency impulsive sound sources in the OSPAR Maritime Region Other monitoring method																							HELCOM Guidelines for coastal fish monitoring Other monitoring method																									Other monitoring method							HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme Other monitoring method			HELCOM Manual for monitoring in COMBINE programme						Other monitoring method			HELCOM Guidelines for monitoring beach litter Other monitoring method	Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas [note: to be updated with specific guidance for beaches, water, seabed and microlitter when available from TG Litter] Other monitoring method
Monitoring method other	There is no separate monitoring for the programme, the administrative data collection is performed and based on information from databases, maps, plans, environmental permits and their reporting and controls, etc. Estonian maritime spatial plan. The frequency of monitoring depends on activity: from annually to once per the 6-year period.																							ICES WGBFAS																									The monitoring and assessment of the state of herring and sprat stocks are following the ICES WGBFAS methodology. Herring and sprat stocks and stock trends are assessed on the basis of the catches. Based on the collected material, biological analyses are performed and the age of the individuals is determined.							National monitoring programme									National (https://www.keskkonnaagentuur.ee/sites/default/files/seiretoo_ankeet_randa_uhutud_linnud_2020.docx; https://kese.envir.ee/kese/downloadReportFile.action?fileUid=12394806&monitoringWorkUid=1207453) and HELCOM/ICES JWGBird Group agreed methods (the monitoring time is not agreed).			For seabed litter monitoring, the composition and amount of seabed litter in the shallow coastal sea (<20 m) is determined by visual observations by a diver or remotely using underwater video. Both natural areas (national monitoring transects used) and areas with anthropogenic pressures (harbours and near-laying areas) are monitored. Observations of the natural area are carried out at depth of 0 m up to the lower limit of vegetation distribution (1 m step used). Surveys in areas affected by human activities are carried out at pre-designated observation stations (the number of observation stations depends on the size of the harbour, a minimum of 10 stations per monitoring area). At each observation station, (video) observation is performed on a transect of at least 10 m in length. The width of the transect has been agreed to be 4 m, ie an area of at least 40 m2 is described at one sampling point. The video data is analyzed in the laboratory, the amount of litter, material, dimensions are recorded. In addition, the substrate and biota are described. The beach litter monitoring UNEP/IOC MARLIN guidelines (http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/marinelitter/publications/docs/Marine_Litter_Survey_and_Monitoring_Guidelines.pdf) adapted for the Baltic Sea (http://www.hsr.se/sites/default/files/appendix2.pdf) and Joint List of Litter Categories for monitoring litter in the marine environment in Europe (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mscg_25-2019-03_joint_list_of_litter_categories_text_rev.pdf, https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mscg_25-2019-03_joint_litter_category_excel_list.xlsx) are followed.	The microscopic analysis is conducted in the laboratory: amount, size, material, shape and colour of the particles are registered from samples. For water sampling the Manta net (mesh 333 µm) is used; for sediment samples sampling of upper 5 cm of seabed sediments are performed by tube or grab sampler. For ingested microlitter monitoring, fish and mussels are collected, and microlitter is analysed in the laboratory under a microscope after biological tissues are dissolved in solution. The recommendations of Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas (incl coming updated versions) are considered. The HELCOM guidance documents are under development (will be also considered when approved).
Quality control	Data quality control systems of relevant data sources.																							General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories are filled according to ISO/IEC 17025 and the recommendations of monitoring manuals are followed (HELCOM, ICES WGBFAS).																									ICES WGBFAS							General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories are filled according to ISO/IEC 17025 and HELCOM recommendations of monitoring manuals are followed (if applicable)			The quality is ensured by following the HELCOM guidances recommendations, accreditation of experts and persons by whom the monitoring is performed and filling of general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025.						The observations are conducted by professional observers and data quality control is performed while submitting into the database. Also HELCOM/ICES JWGBirg Group agreed method is used.			The quality is ensured by following the guidelines and recommendations (UNEP/IOC (MARLIN), HELCOM) and the accreditation of observers and the laboratory where analysis is performed.	The quality is ensured by following the Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas and accreditation of experts and persons by whom the monitoring is performed (in future).
Data management	The data are compiled from different databases of different institutions. The compilation and collection of data are coordinated by the Marine Environment Department of the Ministry of the Environment.																							Data are reported annually to the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Rural Affairs. The raw data are also stored in databases of Estonian Marine Institute at Tartu University.																									Data are reported annually to the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Rural Affairs. The raw data are also stored in databases of Estonian Marine Institute at Tartu University.							Gathered data are submitted to the national environmental monitoring database KESE.			Gathered data are reported to the national environmental monitoring database KESE.						Data and reports are yearly submitted to the national environmental monitoring database KESE.			The data and reports are submitted to the national environmental monitoring database KESE. Beach litter data are also reported to the EMODnet.	The data and reports are submitted to the national environmental monitoring database KESE.
Data access	http://register.keskkonnainfo.ee/envreg/main#HTTPMEaW1ThSjHUyzXzMt7jr3MuRYp5PuE,https://andmed.stat.ee/et/stat,https://geoportaal.maaamet.ee/,https://kese.envir.ee,https://kotkas.envir.ee/,https://veeteedeamet.ee/et/laevandus-eesti-lipp-sadamad/eesti-laevaregistrid,https://vet.agri.ee/et/kalandus-toiduturg/puugistatistika-lossimiskohad-ja-kala-esmakokkuostukohad/puugiandmed,https://www.agri.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/kalamajandus-ja-kutseline-kalapuuk/puugiandmed,https://www.eas.ee/teenused/,https://www.ehr.ee/,https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/kalandus/harrastuspuuk/statistika-ja-uuringud,https://www.envir.ee/et/kalanduse-uuringud-ja-aruanded,https://www.etis.ee/,https://www.keskkonnaagentuur.ee/et/kuttimine,https://www.keskkonnaamet.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/jahindus/operatiivsed-kuttimisandmed,https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/,https://www.sadamaregister.ee/,https://www.terviseamet.ee/et/keskkonnatervis/ettevotjale-ja-kohalikule-omavalitsusele/supluskohad-ja-ujulad/suplusvee-profiilid,https://xgis.maaamet.ee/xgis2/page/app/maainfo,https://xgis.maaamet.ee/xgis2/page/app/merekaart																							https://www.agri.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/kalamajandus-ja-kutseline-kalapuuk/puugiandmed,https://www.envir.ee/et/kalanduse-uuringud-ja-aruanded																									https://www.agri.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/kalamajandus-ja-kutseline-kalapuuk/puugiandmed,https://www.envir.ee/et/kalanduse-uuringud-ja-aruanded							https://kese.envir.ee			https://kese.envir.ee						https://kese.envir.ee			https://kese.envir.ee	https://kese.envir.ee
Related indicator/name																								95 % percentile of the length distribution of flounder (Platichthys flesus) in monitoring catches 95 % percentile of the length distribution of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) in monitoring catches Abundance index of large(TL>250 mm) perch (Perca fluviatilis) in monitoring catches Abundance index of sexually mature female pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) in monitoring catches Abundance index of sexually mature flounder (Platichthys flesus) in monitoring catches Abundance index of sexually mature perch (Perca fluviatilis) in monitoring catches Abundance of coastal Fish key functional groups: abundance of cyprinids in monitoring catches Abundance of coastal Fish key functional groups: abundance of piscivores in monitoring catches Fish community trophic index Fishing mortality (F) of subpopulation of spring spawning baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) in Gulf of Riga Mean maximum length across all fish species found in monitoring catches (MMLI) Ratio between annual commercial catch and biomass index (WPUE in monitoring area) of flounder (Platichthys flesus) Ratio between annual commercial catch and biomass index (WPUE in monitoring area) of perch (Perca fluviatilis) Ratio between annual commercial catch and biomass index (WPUE in monitoring area) of pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) Spawning stock biomass (SSB) of subpopulation of spring spawning baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) in Gulf of Riga The smolt production of Baltic salmon (Salmo salar) relative to the level of natural smolt production capacity on a riverby river basis The smolt production of Baltic salmon (Salmo salar) relative to the level of natural smolt production capacity on a riverby river basis BALEED1C2.5 BALEED1C4.5 BALEED1C4.6 BALEED1C4.7																									Fishing mortality (F) of Baltic sprat (Sprattus sprattus balticus) Fishing mortality (F) of subpopulation of spring spawning baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) in Estonian marine areas (ICES subregions SD 27-29, 32) Spawning stock biomass (SSB) of Baltic sprat (Sprattus sprattus balticus) Spawning stock biomass (SSB) of subpopulation of spring spawning baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) in Estonian marine areas (ICES subregions SD 27-29, 32)							Quality of habitat type mudflats and sandflats (code 1140) Quality of habitat type reefs (code 1170) Quality of habitat type sandbanks (code 1110) Quality of habitat type estuaries (code 1130) Quality of habitat type large shallow inlets and bays (code 1160) BALEED6C5.10 BALEED6C5.11 BALEED6C5.12 BALEED6C5.13 BALEED6C5.14 BALEED6C5.15 BALEED6C5.16 BALEED6C5.18 BALEED6C5.6 BALEED6C5.7 BALEED6C5.8 BALEED6C5.9			Biomass of alien benthic invertebrate species Macrolitter on seafloor in coastal sea [natural areas] Number of new non-indigenous species Proportion of opportunistic species BALEED5C7.4									Contamination ratio of beach litter Macrolitter on seafloor in coastal sea [areas affected by human activity] Macrolitter on seafloor in coastal sea [natural areas]	Microlitter in the surface layer of the water column BALEED10C2.2 BALEED10C3.1
Contact																								Ministry of the Environment: Elo Rasmann (elo.rasmann@envir.ee); University of Tartu, Estonian Marine Institute: Redik Eschbaum, redik.eschbaum@ut.ee, Lauri Saks, lauri.saks@ut.ee.																									Ministry of the Environment: Elo Rasmann (elo.rasmann@envir.ee); University of Tartu, Estonian Marine Institute: Redik Eschbaum, redik.eschbaum@ut.ee, Lauri Saks, lauri.saks@ut.ee.							Estonian Environment Agency: Anastasiia Kovtun-Kante, anastasiia.kovtun-kante@envir.ee; Arthur Kivi, arthur.kivi@envir.ee			Estonian Environment Agency: Anastasiia Kovtun-Kante, anastasiia.kovtun-kante@envir.ee; Arthur Kivi, arthur.kivi@envir.ee						Estonian Environment Agency: Piret Kiristaja, piret.kiristaja@envir.ee; Anastasiia Kovtun-Kante, anastasiia.kovtun-kante@envir.ee; Arthur Kivi, arthur.kivi@envir.ee.			Estonian Environment Agency: Anastasiia Kovtun-Kante, anastasiia.kovtun-kante@envir.ee; Arthur Kivi, arthur.kivi@envir.ee.	Estonian Environment Agency: Anastasiia Kovtun-Kante, anastasiia.kovtun-kante@envir.ee; Arthur Kivi, arthur.kivi@envir.ee.
References	The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).																							The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).																									The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).							The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).			The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).						The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).			The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).	The monitoring programme is approved by the minister of the environment and available at https://www.envir.ee/et/eesmargid-tegevused/merekeskkonna-kaitse/merestrateegia (https://www.envir.ee/sites/default/files/mereala_seireprogramm_2021_2026.pdf) (in Estonian).