Member State report / Art9 / 2012 / D6 / 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 | D6 Sea-floor integrity/D1 Benthic 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 |
GES component |
D6
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1.4 Habitat distribution |
1.4.1 Distributional range |
1.4.2 Distributional pattern |
1.5 Habitat extent |
1.5.1 Habitat area |
1.6 Habitat condition |
1.6.1 Condition typical species |
1.6.2 Relative abundance |
1.6.3 Habitat condition |
6.1 Physical damage, having regard to substrate characteristics |
6.1.1 Biogenic substrata |
6.1.2 Extent of seabed affected |
6.2 Condition of benthic community |
6.2.1 Presence of sensitive species |
6.2.2 Benthic multi-metric indexes |
6.2.3 Proportion of individuals above specified size |
6.2.4 Size spectrum of benthic community |
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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. |
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. |
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Marine reporting units |
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Feature |
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Criterion/indicator |
D6 |
1.4 |
1.4.1 |
1.4.2 |
1.5 |
1.5.1 |
1.6 |
1.6.1 |
1.6.2 |
1.6.3 |
6.1 |
6.1.1 |
6.1.2 |
6.2 |
6.2.1 |
6.2.2 |
6.2.3 |
6.2.4 |
GES description |
GES is a qualitative description of the desired status at the habitat level. Statements describing this GES are associated with specific MSFD criteria for Descriptor 6. |
The natural range and extent of marine habitats and species are stable, or otherwise in line with the physiographic and climatic conditions, taking into consideration the sustainable use of the marine environment. |
The natural range and extent of marine habitats and species are stable, or otherwise in line with the physiographic and climatic conditions, taking into consideration the sustainable use of the marine environment. |
The structure and function of marine habitats ensure their long-term viability |
The long-term viability of key marine habitats is not compromised by anthropogenic pressures and impacts |
The structure and function of marine habitats ensure their long-term viability |
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Threshold values |
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Threshold value unit |
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Proportion of area to achieve threshold value |
Assessment Areas |
Assessment Areas |
Assessment Areas |
Assessment Areas |
Assessment Areas |
Assessment Areas |
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Reference point type |
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Baseline |
Current Conditions, where known
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Current conditions
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Current conditions
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Current conditions
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Current Conditions, where known
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Current Conditions, where known
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Assessment method |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme |
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Development status |
Given the limited knowledge with respect to the extent and nature of impacts of human activities on benthic habitats, 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. |
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. |
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. |
Given the limited knowledge with respect to the extent and nature of impacts of human activities on benthic habitats, 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. |
Given the limited knowledge with respect to the extent and nature of impacts of human activities on benthic habitats, 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. |