Member State report / Art11 / 2014-2020 / D2 / Ireland / NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2014-10-15; 2020-10-15
GES Descriptor D2 Non-indigenous species
Member State Ireland
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas
Reported by Member State
Report date 2013-04-30; 2021-12-08
Report access
2014 data
2020 data
Monitoring programme Monitoring programme name
Monitoring programme Reference existing programme
Monitoring programme Marine Unit ID
Q4e - Programme ID
Q4f - Programme description
Q5e - Natural variability
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate data
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Established methods
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate understanding of GES
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate capacity
Q5f - Description of programme for GES assessment
Q5g - Gap-filling date for GES assessment
Q5h - Plans to implement monitoring for GES assessment
Q6a -Relevant targets Q6a - Environmental target
Q6a -Relevant targets Q6a - Associated indicator
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6b_SuitableData
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6b_EstablishedMethods
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6d_AdequateCapacity
Q6c - Target updating
Q6d - Description of programme for targets assessment
Q6e - Gap-filling date for targets assessment
Q6f - Plans to implement monitoring for targets assessment
Q7a - Relevant activities
Q7b - Description of monitoring of activities
Q7c - Relevant measures
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Adequate data
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Established methods
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Adequate understanding of GES
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Adequate capacity
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Addresses activities and pressures
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Addresses effectiveness of measures
Q7d - Description of monitoring for measures
Q7f - Gap-filling date for activities and measures
Q8a - Links to existing Monitoring Programmes
Reference sub-programme Sub-programme ID
Reference sub-programme Sub-programme name
Q4g - Sub-programmes Sub-programme ID
Q4g - Sub-programmes Sub-programme name
Q4k - Monitoring purpose
Q4l - Links of monitoring programmes of other Directives and Conventions
Q5c - Features Q5c - Habitats
Q5c - Features Q5c - Species list
Q5c - Features Q5c - Physical/Chemical features
Q5c - Features Q5c - Pressures
Q9a - Elements
Q5a - GES criteria Relevant GES criteria
Q5b - GES indicators Relevant GES indicators
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species distribution
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species population size
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species population characteristics
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species impacts
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat distribution
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat extent
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat condition (physical-chemical)
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat condition (biological)
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat impacts
Q9b - Parameters monitored (pressures) Pressure input
Q9b - Parameters monitored (pressures) Pressure output
Q9b - Parameters monitored (activity) Activity
Q9b Parameters monitored (other) Other
Q41 Spatial scope
Q4j - Description of spatial scope
Marine Unit IDs
Q4h - Temporal scope Start date- End date
Q9h - Temporal resolution of sampling
Q9c - Monitoring method
Q9d - Description of alteration to method
Q9e - Quality assurance
Q9f - Quality control
Q9g - Spatial resolution of sampling Q9g - Proportion of area covered %
Q9g - Spatial resolution of sampling Q9g - No. of samples
Q9i - Description of sample representivity
Q10a - Scale for aggregation of data
Q10b - Other scale for aggregation of data
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data type
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data access mechanism
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data access rights
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - INSPIRE standard
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c Date data are available
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data update frequency
Q10d - Description of data access
Descriptor
D2
Monitoring strategy description
Ireland has one programme to monitor and assess Non-Indigenous species (NIS) in Irish marine waters. The Shellfish Associated Species Inventory (SASI), supported by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), focuses on NIS in the aquaculture sector. Ireland also has a number of NIS projects that may potentially feed into future marine NIS monitoring programmes. The ongoing ‘Rapid Assessment of Invasive Marine Species’ contract has the potential to become a future marine NIS monitoring programme, while the recent Marine Institute/GMIT Environmental DNA sampling protocols project provides additional information towards large-scale monitoring and surveillance of marine NIS. In the recent Article 17 update, Ireland has achieved GES within its maritime area for Descriptor 2.
Coverage of GES criteria
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps and plans
Gaps identified:The recently published European Commission’s Joint Research Center's paper on MSFD D2 highlights the need for harmonization and coherent implementation of European Marine NIS, mostly in relation to NIS reference points, monitoring, and thresholds. The development of indicators at regional and subregional scale is needed and associated monitoring and surveillance in key areas is required. The Irish 2013 NIS assessment is now considered incomplete. Confidence in the assessment of the number of new introductions since 2013 is therefore considered moderate. Research is ongoing, through projects outlined in Irelands Marine Strategy Part 1, which will help us evaluate monitoring, modelling and mapping techniques (Tsiamis et al., 2019). Gap plans: Work is ongoing in OSPAR to look at greater harmonisation of assessment criteria across the OSPAR areas, including the establishment of the new joint OSPAR HELCOM Working Group on Non-Indigenous Species (JWGNIS).
Related targets
  • D2T1
Coverage of targets
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Related measures
  • ACSIE-M014 - 'Continue to implement the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) in order to identify, minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.'
  • ACSIE-M015 - 'Awareness and training of best practices in maritime and coastal activities and preservation of the marine environment.'
  • ACSIE-M021 - 'Promote site-specific measures to protect island bird colonies from invasion by non-indigenous predatory mammals.'
  • ACSIE-M029 - 'Continue to implement the licensing process controlling the possession of certain birds or animals.'
  • ACSIE-M059 - 'Continue to manage the impacts of sea-fisheries and aquaculture in Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.'
  • ACSIE-M066 - 'Apply Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) as appropriate.'
  • ACSIE-M070 - 'Continue to enforce Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) and associated national Regulations with respect to the control of invasive species.'
  • ACSIE-M071 - 'Continue to develop invasive species action plans. Implement commitment to develop an Aquaculture Industry Code of Practice for Invasive Alien Species.'
  • ACSIE-M072 - 'Continue to apply Council Directive 2006/88/EC & national regulations with regard to the movement of aquaculture species [European Communities (Health of Aquaculture Animals and Products) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 261 of 2008) as amended].'
  • ACSIE-M074 - 'Continue to apply to aquaculture licences for the cultivation of finfish and shellfish the condition that the Licensee shall comply with any regulations in force governing the movement of cultured marine species.'
  • ACSIE-M075 - 'The implementation of the Regulation (EU) No. 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.'
  • ACSIE-M076 - 'Continue to promote the Invasive Species Ireland’s All-Island (Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom) Code of Practice for Water Users as a source of guidance on how to act responsibly within the law to prevent the introduction and manage the spread of alien invasive species.'
  • ACSIE-M077 - 'Maintain and expand as necessary a watch and alert system for non-indigenous species.'
  • ACSIE-M078 - 'Upon the ratification of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ballast Water Convention and its implementation under Irish law by statute Ireland will apply IMO and OSPAR Guidelines for the control and management of ship’s ballast water to minimise the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.'
  • ACSIE-M079 - 'Continue to apply the Alien and Locally Absent Species in Aquaculture Regulation (708/2008).'
  • ACSIE-M080 - 'Continue to promote local action groups to engage the support of the third sector in controlling invasive non-indigenous species and in promoting key messages.'
  • ACSIE-M081 - 'Continue to promote awareness of invasive non-indigenous species to the public and marine/maritime professionals.'
  • ACSIE-M082 - 'Continue to apply Regulations which require land owners, or occupiers of a premise, to take action with respect to invasive species.'
  • ACSIE-M124 - 'Continue to implement national legislation to appropriately apply licensing, regulation and planning for the marine and coastal environment, including the requirement for applications to be accompanied by the materials necessary for a full assessment of the proposed plan, project or development.'
  • ACSIE-M125 - 'Ensure that appropriate forms and levels of organisational governance are in place to support Foreshore Licensing, Petroleum Exploration/Appraisal/ Production Licensing, and proposed Maritime Option Licensing process.'
  • ACSIE-M126 - 'Ensure that the consenting/ permitting processes, overseen by relevant regulatory bodies/statutory bodies, sufficiently account for the adequate protection of habitats and species.'
  • ACSIE-M128 - 'To apply the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and associated legislation in relation to licences and consents.'
  • ACSIE-M129 - 'Continue to develop and implement river basin and shoreline management plans to control impacts and improve environmental status.'
  • ACSIE-M130 - 'Develop and implement marine plans for all of Irish waters by 31st March 2021 at the latest.'
  • ACSIE-M133 - 'Ensure that environmental monitoring and mitigation measures stipulated in Environmental Impact Statements are fit for purpose and when/where deemed necessary are conducted appropriately.'
  • ACSIE-M227 - 'Support the Origin Green Initiative National programme to improve sustainability and environmental performance within the Irish Food Sector.'
Coverage of measures
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Related monitoring programmes
  • ACS-IE-D02-01
Programme code
ACS-IE-D02-01
Programme name
Shellfish Associated Species Inventory Ireland
Update type
New programme
Old programme codes
Programme description
The purpose of this monitoring is to assess and better understand the linkages between aquaculture activities and NIS both nationally and internationally. The programme has developed following the use of the Dutch Shellfish Associated Species Inventory at Irish aquaculture sites. In order to gain a better understanding of the status of NIS associated with Irish Aquaculture, BIM have now established a memorandum of understanding with the Dutch operators and enhanced the coverage of the programme in Ireland.
Monitoring purpose
  • Human activities causing the pressures
Other policies and conventions
  • Habitats Directive
  • Maritime Spatial Planning Directive
  • Water Framework Directive
Regional cooperation - coordinating body
Regional cooperation - countries involved
NL
Regional cooperation - implementation level
Monitoring details
During a SASI multiple samples are taken spread throughout the production area. In each sample of approximately 5kg shellfish, all animal and algal species that live between the sampled shellfish are scored. For each species found during the surveys, it is determined if the species is a nuisance species. This method of sampling is suitable for macroflora and macrofauna > 1 mm. This method is used to capture the total diversity of species in the field.
Features
Newly introduced non-indigenous species
Newly introduced non-indigenous species
Newly introduced non-indigenous species
Newly introduced non-indigenous species
Elements
  • Not Applicable
GES criteria
D2C1
Parameters
  • Presence
Parameter Other
Spatial scope
  • Coastal waters (WFD)
  • Transitional waters (WFD)
Marine reporting units
  • ACS-IE-AA-001
Temporal scope (start date - end date)
2018-9999
Monitoring frequency
6-monthly
Monitoring type
  • In-situ sampling coastal
Monitoring method
  • Other monitoring method
Monitoring method other
GiMaRIS established methodology
Quality control
The quality management system of GiMaRIS is NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2015 certified by NCK for conducting national and international, applied and fundamental research, consultancy and policy making for both the private sector and (semi-)government agencies (EA code 35) (certificate no: NCK.2015.364.ISO9001) https://www.gimaris.com/en-us/About-us/Quality-assurance-and-certification
Data management
Data held by BIM and GiMaRIS
Data access
Related indicator/name
Contact
Grainne Devine grainne.devine@bim.ie
References