Member State report / Art9 / 2012 / D7 / 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 D7 Hydrographical changes
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
D7
7.1 Spatial characterisation of permanent alterations
7.1.1 Extent of area affected
7.2 Impact of permanent hydrographical changes
7.2.1 Extent of habitats affected
7.2.2 Change in habitats
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
  • 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
  • ChangeHydrology
  • ChangeHydrology
  • ChangeHydrology
Criterion/indicator
D7
7.1
7.1.1
7.2
7.2.1
7.2.2
GES description
Significant adverse effects of permanent alterations of hydrographical conditions on key marine habitats and species are, in so far as practicable prevented or 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 conditions
Current conditions
Current conditions
Assessment method
To be established through the MSFD monitoring programme
Development status
Assessment of achievement of this GES would require knowledge on the current conditions in relation to the aspects addressed by the indicators stipulated for Descriptor 7. Current data limitations, particularly with respect to ecosystem functions, may hamper such assessment. Therefore this GES is considered to be needing further development (expected to be operational by 2018).