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