Member State report / Art9 / 2018 / D1-F / Ireland / NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 9 Determination of GES (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2018-10-15
GES Descriptor D1 Fish
Member State Ireland
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas
Reported by Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government
Report date 2020-08-31
Report access msfd2018-ART9_GES_IE_Updated_24July.xml

GES component
D1
D1-F
D1C1
D1C2
D1C3
D1C4
D1C5
Marine reporting units
  • ACS-IE-AA-001
  • ACS-IE-AA-001
  • ACS-IE-AA-001
  • ACS-IE-AA-001
Features
  • All fish
  • All fish
  • All fish
  • All fish
GES description
Ireland has not fully achieved Good Environmental Status within its maritime area under criterion D1C1 - the mortality rate per species from incidental by-catch is below levels which threaten the species, such that its long-term viability is ensured. Of 56 stocks assessed under this criterion 3 stocks have achieved GES, 4 stocks have not achieved GES and the environmental status of 49 stocks is currently unknown.
Ireland has not fully achieved Good Environmental Status within its maritime area under criterion D1C2 - the population abundance of the species is not adversely affected due to anthropogenic pressures, such that its long-term viability is ensured. Of 56 stocks assessed under this criterion 11 stocks have achieved GES, 22 stocks have not achieved GES and the environmental status of 23 stocks is currently unknown.
Ireland has not fully achieved Good Environmental Status within its maritime area under criterion D1C4 - the species distributional range and, where relevant, pattern is in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions. Of 4 stocks assessed under this criterion 1 stock has achieved GES, 2 stocks have not achieved GES and the environmental status of 1 stock is currently unknown.
Ireland has not fully achieved Good Environmental Status within its maritime area under criterion D1C5 - the habitat for the species has the necessary extent and condition to support the different stages in the life history of the species seabed. Of 4 stocks assessed under this criterion 2 stocks have achieved GES and 2 stocks have not achieved GES.
Determination date
202006
202006
202006
202006
Update type
New determination
New determination
New determination
New determination
Justification for non-use of criterion
The assessment does not include the primary criterion D1C3 [i.e. The population demographic characteristics of the species (e.g. body size or age class structure, sex ratio, fecundity, and survival rates) are indicative of a healthy population which is not adversely affected due to anthropogenic pressures]. This selection decision was based on International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) advice for a related criterion under Descriptor 3 – Populations of commercially- exploited fish and shellfish (D3C3). In this ICES concluded that until proof-of-concept has been validated, D3C3 could not be considered operational for MSFD assessment purposes; consequently, D1C3 is not considered operational for MSFD assessment purposes. This ICES advice is available at: https://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2017/Special_requests/eu.2017.07.pdf
Justification for delay in setting EU/regional requirements