MS/Art9/2012/D1-P/Malta/Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea

Member State report / Art9 / 2012 / D1-P / Malta / Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea

Report type	Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article	Art. 9 Determination of GES (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due	2012-10-15
GES Descriptor	D1 Pelagic habitats
Member State	Malta
Region/subregion	Mediterranean: Ionian Sea & Central Mediterranean Sea
Reported by	Malta Environment and Planning Authority
Report date	-
Report access	MSFD9GES_20131105_121546.xml HTML Factsheet

Simplified table

GES component	D1	1.5.2 Habitat volume	1.6 Habitat condition	1.6.1 Condition typical species	1.6.1 Condition typical species	1.6.2 Relative abundance	1.6.2 Relative abundance	1.6.3 Habitat condition	1.6.3 Habitat condition
Method used	MIC-MT-MS: The Good Environmental Status identified for each descriptor constitutes a qualitative description of the desired status. For some descriptors, more than one statement is being proposed, to reflect the MSFD criteria and indicators. Reference to existing environmental thresholds/limits was made in relation to Descriptor 8 (contaminants) and Descriptor 9 (contaminants in fish and seafood), however no quantitative GES is being put forward for the first reporting cycle.		MIC-MT-MS: The Good Environmental Status identified for each descriptor constitutes a qualitative description of the desired status. For some descriptors, more than one statement is being proposed, to reflect the MSFD criteria and indicators. Reference to existing environmental thresholds/limits was made in relation to Descriptor 8 (contaminants) and Descriptor 9 (contaminants in fish and seafood), however no quantitative GES is being put forward for the first reporting cycle.
Marine reporting units	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area	Ad-hoc areas based on risk based approach Assessment area Assessment areas Assessment areas/ad-hoc risk based areas Descriptor 3 Assessment area Geographical Sub Area 15 (GFCM) MIC-MT-MS Malta Gozo Channel Assessment area NIS Assessment area West Gozo Cliffs Assessment area West Malta Cliffs Assessment area
Feature	WaterColumnHabitatsAll		WaterColumnHabitatsAll
Criterion/indicator	D1	1.5.2	1.6	1.6.1	1.6.1	1.6.2	1.6.2	1.6.3	1.6.3
GES description	GES is a qualitative description of the desired status at the habitat and species level. Statements describing this GES are being defined for specific MSFD criteria.		The structure and function of marine habitats ensure their long-term viability
Threshold values
Threshold value unit
Proportion of area to achieve threshold value	Assessment Areas		Assessment Areas
Reference point type
Baseline	Current conditions		Current conditions
Assessment method	To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme		To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme
Development status	Given the current state of knowledge which is limited for specific habitat types and/or marine species, the proposed GES is expected to be operational by 2018 subject to the generation of the required data through the implementation of the MSFD monitoring programme or other necessary research activities.		Current state of knowledge on habitat distribution and extent of particular habitat types is limited. Therefore the proposed GES is expected to be operational by 2018 subject to the generation of the required data through the implementation of the MSFD monitoring programme or other necessary research activities.