Member State report / Art9 / 2012 / D11 / 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 D11 Energy, incl. underwater noise
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
GES component
D11
11.1 Distribution in time and place of loud, low and mid frequency impulsive sounds
11.1.1 Proportion of days with loud sound levels
11.2 Continuous low frequency sound
11.2.1 Ambient noise
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.
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
Feature
  • Noise
  • Noise
  • Noise
Criterion/indicator
D11
11.1
11.1.1
11.2
11.2.1
GES description
Adverse effects of underwater noise on key species groups are minimised to the extent possible.
Threshold values
Threshold value unit
Proportion of area to achieve threshold value
Assessment Area
Assessment Area
Assessment Area
Reference point type
Baseline
Current level of knowledge
Current level of knowledge
Current level of knowledge
Assessment method
Not applicable
Development status
In view of the orientation of the MSFD criteria and indicators in relation to Descriptor 11 towards measurement of underwater noise, this GES would depend on the availability of an adequate knowledge base to allow assessment and minimisation of the adverse impacts of underwater noise. Given that this GES depends on the attainment of knowledge/information which is currently unavailable, it is deemed to be operation by 2018 (if adopted)