Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the large area of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 100% (i.e. 165857 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. It should be noted that 100% of the surface area of this MRU could be evaluated. The large area does not therefore appear to be affected by eutrophication phenomena, and this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the assessment methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Assessment, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the wider area.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the large area of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 100% (i.e. 165857 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. It should be noted that 100% of the surface area of this MRU could be evaluated. The large area does not therefore appear to be affected by eutrophication phenomena, and this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the assessment methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Assessment, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the wider area.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the large area of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 100% (i.e. 165857 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. It should be noted that 100% of the surface area of this MRU could be evaluated. The large area does not therefore appear to be affected by eutrophication phenomena, and this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the assessment methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Assessment, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the wider area.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the large area of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 100% (i.e. 165857 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. It should be noted that 100% of the surface area of this MRU could be evaluated. The large area does not therefore appear to be affected by eutrophication phenomena, and this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the assessment methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Assessment, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the wider area.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the large area of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 100% (i.e. 165857 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. It should be noted that 100% of the surface area of this MRU could be evaluated. The large area does not therefore appear to be affected by eutrophication phenomena, and this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the assessment methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Assessment, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the wider area.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the large area of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 100% (i.e. 165857 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. It should be noted that 100% of the surface area of this MRU could be evaluated. The large area does not therefore appear to be affected by eutrophication phenomena, and this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the assessment methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Assessment, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the wider area.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the large area of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 100% (i.e. 165857 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. It should be noted that 100% of the surface area of this MRU could be evaluated. The large area does not therefore appear to be affected by eutrophication phenomena, and this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the assessment methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Assessment, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the wider area.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

The achievement of good ecological status for descriptor 5 is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 6 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as to the transparency of the water column, opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities. In this MRU, relating to the coastal zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 75% (i.e. 6077 km2 ) of the area achieves good status. On the other hand, 3% (i.e. 261 km2 ) of the area of the MRU is not in good condition and 22% (i.e. 1,793 km2 ) of the area has not been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are manifested in coastal water bodies by strandings of opportunistic algae of the genus Ulva. In addition, the results show that nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll-a and/or turbidity lead to the non-achievement of good status for a few coastal water masses located at the level of the plumes of the large estuaries of the Bay of Biscay. However, coastal water bodies where opportunistic algae blooms occur are not in poor condition for the nutrient criterion: the link between nutrient inputs (particularly nitrates) and opportunistic algal growth is therefore not directly visible through the MSFD assessment. Indeed, opportunistic algal blooms do not only depend on the parameters directly taken into account by the MSFD assessment of descriptor 5 - other parameters such as hydrodynamics (residual currents, tidal currents, stratification of the water column, tidal range), salinity, temperature, or the nature of the marine sediment (which more or less favours the remineralisation process of detrital organic matter), can influence the eutrophication process of water masses. In addition, this evaluation has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a clear improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the intermediate zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 98% (i.e. 13844 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. On the other hand, 2% (or 287 km2 ) of the MRU's surface area is not in good condition. It should be noted that 100 % of the surface area of this MRU has been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are located at the mouths of the Loire and Gironde rivers and are associated with the combined action of high concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and/or turbidity. Moreover, this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the intermediate zone.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the intermediate zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 98% (i.e. 13844 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. On the other hand, 2% (or 287 km2 ) of the MRU's surface area is not in good condition. It should be noted that 100 % of the surface area of this MRU has been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are located at the mouths of the Loire and Gironde rivers and are associated with the combined action of high concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and/or turbidity. Moreover, this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the intermediate zone.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the intermediate zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 98% (i.e. 13844 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. On the other hand, 2% (or 287 km2 ) of the MRU's surface area is not in good condition. It should be noted that 100 % of the surface area of this MRU has been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are located at the mouths of the Loire and Gironde rivers and are associated with the combined action of high concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and/or turbidity. Moreover, this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the intermediate zone.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the intermediate zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 98% (i.e. 13844 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. On the other hand, 2% (or 287 km2 ) of the MRU's surface area is not in good condition. It should be noted that 100 % of the surface area of this MRU has been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are located at the mouths of the Loire and Gironde rivers and are associated with the combined action of high concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and/or turbidity. Moreover, this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the intermediate zone.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the intermediate zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 98% (i.e. 13844 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. On the other hand, 2% (or 287 km2 ) of the MRU's surface area is not in good condition. It should be noted that 100 % of the surface area of this MRU has been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are located at the mouths of the Loire and Gironde rivers and are associated with the combined action of high concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and/or turbidity. Moreover, this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the intermediate zone.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the intermediate zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 98% (i.e. 13844 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. On the other hand, 2% (or 287 km2 ) of the MRU's surface area is not in good condition. It should be noted that 100 % of the surface area of this MRU has been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are located at the mouths of the Loire and Gironde rivers and are associated with the combined action of high concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and/or turbidity. Moreover, this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the intermediate zone.

Achievement of good ecological status is quantitatively assessed on the basis of 4 criteria relating to the concentration of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and dissolved oxygen, as well as the transparency of the water column. The criteria relating to opportunistic macro-algae and macrophyte communities are not relevant to be assessed in this MRU. In this MRU, relating to the intermediate zone of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region, the results of the integration of all the criteria show that 98% (i.e. 13844 km2 ) of the area is in good condition. On the other hand, 2% (or 287 km2 ) of the MRU's surface area is not in good condition. It should be noted that 100 % of the surface area of this MRU has been assessed. On reading the results by criterion, it appears that the eutrophication problems in this MRU are located at the mouths of the Loire and Gironde rivers and are associated with the combined action of high concentrations of nutrients, chlorophyll-a, and/or turbidity. Moreover, this assessment has been the subject of collaboration at both national and European level (adaptation of the methodologies of the joint OSPAR-COMP3 procedure). There has also been a marked improvement in the evaluation methodology compared to the 2012 Initial Evaluation, including the use of products from satellite imagery and modelling, as well as proposals for thresholds for the intermediate zone.