It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

It is estimated that a large portion (58 percent) of the seabed in the Southern North Sea is medium to heavily affected by physical disturbance caused by bottom-disturbing fishing. The impact varies by habitat, but most habitat types are estimated to be at least 30 percent medium affected. In the Dutch North Sea, the impact from sand extraction is limited (a maximum of 0.3 percent of sandy habitat types). This assessment is qualitative, as no threshold has yet been established for the impacted status. Therefore, the status is unknown.

Criterion D6C4 considers loss by habitat type. The EU threshold value entails a maximum acceptable loss of 2 per cent per BHT. According to the OSPAR analysis, in the Dutch part of the North Sea there is surface loss of off-shore circalittoral silty habitat only. This loss due to bottom trawling amounts to 1.5 per cent. The habitat type occurs on and around the Central Oyster Grounds, Friese Front and Cleaver Bank. An additional national analysis shows that the area of loss due to the presence of structures (pipelines, platforms and wind turbines) and loss due to sand extraction (including deepened unloading docks) and deepening of shipping channels has been limited to a maximum of 0.56 per cent per broad habitat type. The loss of broad habitat types in the Dutch part of the North Sea thus remains below the threshold value of 2 percent and meets the standard for good environmental status for this criterion.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.

For criterion D6C5, an EU threshold value has been set indicating the maximum proportion of a habitat type in an assessment area that may be substantially physically disturbed. As it is unclear what exactly is meant by 'substantially physically disturbed', the Netherlands has not yet adopted this threshold value. Under criterion D6C5, three indicators were used to determine the condition of the habitat types. Because the indicators react to different aspects, the combination gives a more complete picture of the condition than each of the three separately. The so-called BISI indicator shows that several typical, sensitive and key species are widely absent or occur in lower densities than would be expected under good conditions. This is observed in almost all broad habitat types. Relative species diversity in coastal areas is also low. However, despite the lack of specific sensitive species, several offshore habitat types are relatively species-rich.