The composition, quantity and spatial distribution of litter on the coast, in the surface layer of the water column and on the seabed are at levels that do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment. For beach macro litter, the median of ítems/100 m linear should be below 20 items. For the other beach categories, it is considered to be in unknown status when the trend compared to the previous cycle is stable or positive (decreasing), and it does not achieve good environmental status when the trend is negative (increasing). For all surface and bottom litter categories, environmental status is achieved according to a trend analysis similar to that described for beach litter categories.

Status is considered unknown when the trend compared to the previous cycle is stable or positive (decreasing), and does not reach good environmental status when the trend is negative (increasing). For all surface and bottom litter categories, environmental status is achieved according to a trend analysis similar to that described for beach litter categories.

There is no international/European/regional consensus on the definition of good environmental status.

There is no international/European/regional consensus on the definition of good environmental status.