Member State report / Art10-2024 / 2024 / D7 / Netherlands / NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art10
Report due 2024-10-15
GES Descriptor D7 Hydrographical changes
Member State Netherlands
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea
Report date 2026-04-10 12:40:24

Target code
ANSNL-D7-T7.1
ANSNL-D7-T7.2
ANSNL-D7-T7.3
Target code
ANSNL-D7T1
ANSNL-D7T1
ANSNL-D7T1
Target description
Degradation of benthic habitats due to permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions by wind farm construction to be limited to the direct impact zone around individual piles, avoiding interaction with other wind farms.
Limiting effects of permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions due to mid-depth and deep sand extraction (extraction wells of 6 metres or more) to temporary disturbance of benthic habitats, and limit permanent disturbance (degradation or loss) for each broad habitat type (in conjunction with the threshold value for D6C4).
New activities such as 'solar at sea', aquaculture, hydrogen production and transport, energy hubs and other uses inside and outside wind farms, should not lead to habitat loss or permanent hydrographical alteration beyond a direct impact zone yet to be defined for each activity (unless ecological added value is demonstrated).
Target purpose
  • DirectlyPreventFurtherPressure
  • DirectlyPreventFurtherPressure
  • IndirectlyPreventFurtherPressure
Feature(s)
  • Coastal ecosystem
  • Physical loss of the seabed
  • Coastal ecosystem
  • Hydrographical changes
  • Coastal ecosystem
  • Hydrographical changes
  • Physical loss of the seabed
GES components
  • D4
  • D7
  • D7C1 Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions (7.1, 7.1.1)
  • D4
  • D7
  • D7C2 Adverse effects from permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions (7.2, 7.2.1, 7.2.2)
  • D4
  • D7
  • D7C1 Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions (7.1, 7.1.1)
Timescale
Update date
202512
202512
202512
Update type target
TargetModified
TargetModified
TargetModified
Marine reporting unit
  • ANS-NL-MS-1
  • ANS-NL-MS-1
  • ANS-NL-MS-1
Element
PresEnvHydroChanges
PresEnvHydroChanges; PresPhyLoss
PresEnvHydroChanges; PresPhyLoss
Parameter
Extent
Extent
Extent
Target value
Target value
Value achieved - upper
Value achieved - lower
Value unit
Target status
Target not yet achieved
Target not yet achieved
Target not yet achieved
Assessment period
2022-2027
2022-2027
2022-2027
Target assessment description
Indicator D7C1 (under development) Consider hydrographical impacts on site selection during planning, environmental impact assessments and licensing of initiatives. Promote innovation in plot decisions and permit requirements. Here, specific attention to regions characterised by (seasonal) stratification or freshwater influence. Progress D7T1 (2018): Progress: All developments comply with existing legal requirements. The updated environmental objectives for D7 Permanent change in hydrographic properties have been made more specific.
Indicator D7C1 (under development) Continued implementation of sand extraction strategy. Environmental impact assessment and licensing section sand extraction (excavation). Progress D7T1 (2018): Progress: All developments comply with existing legal requirements. The updated environmental objectives for D7 Permanent change in hydrographic properties have been made more specific.
Indicator D7C1 (under development) Take effects into account in environmental impact assessment and licensing with the aim of mitigating measures if relevant. Progress D7T1 (2018): Progress: All developments comply with existing legal requirements. The updated environmental objectives for D7 Permanent change in hydrographic properties have been made more specific.
Related indicator
  • ANS-NL-D8-WFD-IHW
  • heavy-metals-biota-sediment-qsr23-ospar
  • ANS-NL-D7C1 Extent of permanent changes in hydrography
  • ANS-NL-D7C1 Extent of permanent changes in hydrography
Related measures
  • ANSNL-M001
  • ANSNL-M011
  • ANSNL-M001
  • ANSNL-M011
  • ANSNL-M001
  • ANSNL-M011