As part of EEA's ongoing security and identity management improvements, we are currently migrating the system to Entra ID authentication.
We kindly ask all users to start using Entra ID credentials when logging in to the system. 

Please note that LDAP authentication will be phased out and disabled by the end of August 2026. We encourage you to verify that you can successfully access the system and that your account and permissions function as expected after Entra ID login. Should you encounter any issues or require assistance during this transition, please contact Laszlo Cseh at laszlo.cseh@eaudeweb.ro Thank you for your cooperation and support.
As part of EEA's ongoing security and identity management improvements, we are currently migrating the system to Entra ID authentication.
We kindly ask all users to start using Entra ID credentials when logging in to the system. 

Please note that LDAP authentication will be phased out and disabled by the end of August 2026. We encourage you to verify that you can successfully access the system and that your account and permissions function as expected after Entra ID login. Should you encounter any issues or require assistance during this transition, please contact Laszlo Cseh at laszlo.cseh@eaudeweb.ro Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Member State report / Art8-2024 / 2024 / D10 / Portugal / NE Atlantic: Bay of Biscay & Iberian Coast

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art8
Report due 2024-10-15
GES Descriptor D10 Litter
Member State Portugal
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Bay of Biscay & Iberian Coast
Report date 2026-06-12 13:26:19

Part of territorial continental waters (ABI-PT-AA-CONT_AT)

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs
GES component
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
Feature
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Micro-litter in the environment
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Element
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Element extent
Trend element
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Element 2
Coastline
Coastline
Seabed – Trawling
Seabed – Trawling
Delphinus delphis
Delphinus delphis
Engraulis encrasicolus
Engraulis encrasicolus
Mytilus spp.
Mytilus spp.
Phocoena phocoena
Phocoena phocoena
Sardina pilchardus
Sardina pilchardus
Stenella coeruleoalba
Stenella coeruleoalba
Trachurus trachurus
Trachurus trachurus
Element source
MSFD
MSFD
MSFD
MSFD
Criterion
D10C1
D10C1
D10C1
D10C1
D10C2
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
Parameter
Amount on coastline
Amount on seabed
Amount on coastline
Amount on seabed
Amount on coastline
AMO-B
AMO-B
AMO-B
AMO-B
AMO-B
AMO-B
AMO-B
Threshold value upper
20.0
20.0
Threshold value lower
Threshold value operator
<
<
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source
EU; MSFD
EU; MSFD
Value achieved upper
336.0
336.0
0.52
3.0
1.38
9.0
4.81
6.5
3.45
Value achieved lower
Value unit
median items/100m
number of items per square kilometre
median items/100m
number of items per square kilometre
number of items per kilogram
items/individual
Other
Other
items/individual
Other
items/individual
Other
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit
Trend parameter
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Parameter achieved
No
Unknown
No
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description parameter
Range (No items): 0-4771
Range (No items): 0-691
Range (No items): 0-4771
Range (No items): 0-691
Range (No items/kg): 0,00-170,20 Frequency (%): 89 (Fragment: 64 %; Spheroite: 26 %; Pellet: 9 %)
Range (items/ind): 0-27 Frequency: 88 %
Range (items/g): 0-18,8 Frequency: 42 %
Range (items/g): 1,13-2,96 Frequency: 100 %
Range (items/ind): 3-22 Frequency: 100 %
Range (items/g): 0-38,9 Frequency: 75 %
Range (items/ind): 2-21 Frequency: 100 %
Range (items/g): 0-33 Frequency: 92 %
Related indicator
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE1
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE2
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE1
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE2
  • ABI-PT-Micro-C
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
Criteria status
Not good
Not good
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description criteria
Existing data on the abundance of microplastics in the assessment area are not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.
Element status
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description element
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
Source assessment feature
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
Reporting method feature
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Trend feature
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Integration rule type parameter
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description parameter
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Microplastic data collected only on the coastline
Integration rule type criteria
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description overall status
Insufficient data
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
Assessments period
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
Related pressures
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
Related targets
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
Test TV
No
NA
No
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Test results
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
False
Correct
False
Correct
False
Correct
False
Correct
False
Correct
False
Correct
False
Correct

Sub Part of territorial continental waters (ABI-PT-AA-CONT_BT1)

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs
GES component
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
Feature
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Micro-litter in the environment
Micro-litter in the environment
Micro-litter in the environment
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Element
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Element extent
Trend element
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Not assessed
Not assessed
Element 2
Coastline
Coastline
Seabed – Trawling
Seabed – Trawling
Mytilus spp.
Mytilus spp.
Trachurus trachurus
Trachurus trachurus
Element source
MSFD
MSFD
MSFD
MSFD
Criterion
D10C1
D10C1
D10C1
D10C1
D10C2
D10C2
D10C2
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
D10C3
Parameter
Amount on coastline
Amount on seabed
Amount on coastline
Amount on seabed
Amount on coastline
Amount on seabed
Amount on water surface
AMO-B
AMO-B
Threshold value upper
20.0
20.0
Threshold value lower
Threshold value operator
<
<
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source
EU; MSFD
EU; MSFD
Value achieved upper
501.0
501.0
3.61
52.9
40822.6
1.4
1.37
Value achieved lower
Value unit
median items/100m
number of items per square kilometre
median items/100m
number of items per square kilometre
number of items per kilogram
number of items per kilogram
number of items per square kilometre
Other
Other
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit
Trend parameter
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Parameter achieved
No
Unknown
No
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description parameter
Range (No items): 101-2676
Range (No items): 0-1120
Range (No items): 101-2676
Range (No items): 0-1120
Range (No items/kg): 0,12-33,01 Frequency (%): 100 (Fragment: 22 %; Spheroite: 56 %; Pellet: 20 %)
Standard deviation (No items/kg): 31,9 Frequency (%): 100
Standard deviation (No items/km²): 43578,6 Frequency (%): 100
Range (items/g): 0,85-2,02 Frequency: 100 %
Range (items/g): 0-7,9 Frequency: 63 %
Related indicator
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE1
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE2
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE1
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE2
  • ABI-PT-Micro-C
  • ABI-PT-Micro-SB
  • ABI-PT-Micro-WS
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
Criteria status
Not good
Not good
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description criteria
Existing data on the abundance of microplastics in the assessment area are not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.
Existing data on the abundance of microplastics in the assessment area are not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.
Existing data on the abundance of microplastics in the assessment area are not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.
Element status
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description element
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
Source assessment feature
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
Reporting method feature
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Trend feature
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Integration rule type parameter
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description parameter
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
The results obtained in the different matrices were not integrated
The results obtained in the different matrices were not integrated
The results obtained in the different matrices were not integrated
Integration rule type criteria
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description overall status
Insufficient data
Insufficient data
Insufficient data
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
Assessments period
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
Related pressures
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
Related targets
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
Test TV
No
NA
No
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Test results
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
False
Correct
False
Correct

Part of territorial continental waters (ABI-PT-AA-CONT_CT)

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs
GES component
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
D10
Feature
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Litter in the environment
Micro-litter in the environment
Litter and micro-litter in species
Litter and micro-litter in species
Element
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Macrolitter (all)
Artificial polymer materials
Artificial polymer materials
Element extent
Trend element
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Not assessed
Element 2
Coastline
Coastline
Seabed – Trawling
Seabed – Trawling
Mytilus spp.
Mytilus spp.
Element source
MSFD
MSFD
MSFD
MSFD
Criterion
D10C1
D10C1
D10C1
D10C1
D10C2
D10C3
D10C3
Parameter
Amount on coastline
Amount on seabed
Amount on coastline
Amount on seabed
Amount on coastline
AMO-B
Threshold value upper
20.0
20.0
Threshold value lower
Threshold value operator
<
<
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source
EU; MSFD
EU; MSFD
Value achieved upper
178.0
22.0
178.0
22.0
0.8
Value achieved lower
Value unit
median items/100m
number of items per square metre
median items/100m
number of items per square metre
number of items per kilogram
Other
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit
Trend parameter
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Parameter achieved
No
Unknown
No
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description parameter
Range (No items): 45-742
Range (No items): 0-941
Range (No items): 45-742
Range (No items): 0-941
Range (No items/kg): 0,00-0,33 Frequency (%): 11 (Fragment: 29 %; Spheroite: 65 %; Pellet: 6 %)
Range (items/g): 0,54-2,76 Frequency: 100 %
Related indicator
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE1
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE2
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE1
  • ABI-PT-OSPAR-BE2
  • ABI-PT-Micro-C
  • ABI-PT-D10C3
Criteria status
Not good
Not good
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description criteria
Existing data on the abundance of microplastics in the assessment area are not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.
Element status
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description element
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
Considering that it is only possible to assess the good status of the amount of marine litter on the coastline, it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.
There are no defined values to assess the good environmental status of the element
Source assessment feature
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
  • MSFD
Reporting method feature
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Type D
Trend feature
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Not assessed
Integration rule type parameter
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description parameter
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Macrolitter data collected only on the coastline and seabed (no data collected on the surface of the water column in this cycle). The results obtained on the coastline and seabed have not been incorporated.
Microplastic data collected only on the coastline
Integration rule type criteria
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Description overall status
Insufficient data
There are no thresholds set to assess the elements considered.
Assessments period
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
2016-2021
Related pressures
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
  • Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)
Related targets
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
  • D10.PT.CON.M1
Test TV
No
NA
No
NA
NA
NA
NA
Test results
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
Correct
False
Correct

Azores Subdivision (AMA-PT-SD-AZO)

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs
GES component
D10
Feature
Litter and micro-litter in species
Element
Artificial polymer materials
Element extent
Trend element
Element 2
Calonectris borealis
Element source
Criterion
D10C3
Parameter
Threshold value upper
Threshold value lower
Threshold value operator
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source
Value achieved upper
Value achieved lower
Value unit
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit
Trend parameter
Parameter achieved
Description parameter
Related indicator
Criteria status
Not good
Description criteria
Under criterion D10C3, the Azores subdivision reports information relating to two bioindicators already established at the level of the MSFD and OSPAR, namely the sea turtle Caretta caretta and the sea bird Calonectris borealis (commonly referred to as the cagarro). As regards turtles, in addition to the information already reported in the 2th assessment report of the marine waters of the Azores subdivision in 2020, there are no new records of plastic occurrence in the digestive tract of the species and therefore it will not be possible to assess GES for this species. For the cagarro, with all the information collected through the monitoring programme PT-MO-D10-B, the scientific study by Rodríguez et al., 2024 analysed the data collected and proposed a threshold for this species: “No more than 20 % of juvenile cagarro have > 4 plastic particles in the proventrriculum and gizzard on a sample of 200 birds or more, over a period of at least five consecutive years (on average 40 birds per year), collected dead per assessment area/region during the rearing season”. Therefore, in order to assess whether this species is in GES or not, the Regional Government of the Azores proposed to consider the threshold value mentioned above. On this basis, it is concluded that GES for this species has not been established, as 68.9 % of the endividues sampled exceeded the proposed threshold.
Element status
Description element
Source assessment feature
Reporting method feature
Trend feature
Integration rule type parameter
Integration rule description parameter
Integration rule type criteria
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved
Description overall status
Assessments period
Related pressures
Related targets
Test TV
NA
Test results
False