Art8-2024

Member State report / Art8-2024 / 2024 / D10 / Portugal / NE Atlantic: Macaronesia

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: Macaronesia
Report date	2026-06-12 13:26:19

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

Simplified table

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs
GES component	D10	D10	D10	D10	D10	D10	D10
Feature	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	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
Element 2	Delphinus delphis	Engraulis encrasicolus	Mytilus spp.	Phocoena phocoena	Sardina pilchardus	Stenella coeruleoalba	Trachurus trachurus
Element source
Criterion	D10C3	D10C3	D10C3	D10C3	D10C3	D10C3	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	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Description criteria
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	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Test results	False	False	False	False	False	False	False

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

Simplified table

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs
GES component	D10	D10
Feature	Litter and micro-litter in species	Litter and micro-litter in species
Element	Artificial polymer materials	Artificial polymer materials
Element extent
Trend element
Element 2	Mytilus spp.	Trachurus trachurus
Element source
Criterion	D10C3	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	Unknown	Unknown
Description criteria
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	NA
Test results	False	False

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

Simplified table

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	Mytilus spp.
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	Unknown
Description criteria
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

Azores Subdivision (AMA-PT-SD-AZO)

Simplified table

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs	AMA-PT-SD-AZO	AMA-PT-SD-AZO	AMA-PT-SD-AZO	AMA-PT-SD-AZO	AMA-PT-SD-AZO	AMA-PT-SD-AZO	AMA-PT-SD-AZO	AMA-PT-SD-AZO		AMA-PT-SD-AZO
GES component	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	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
Element	Artificial polymer materials	Artificial polymer materials	Macrolitter (all)	Macrolitter (all)	Macrolitter (all)	Artificial polymer materials	Microlitter	Microlitter	Artificial polymer materials	Artificial polymer materials
Element extent
Trend element	Stable	Deteriorating	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Not relevant	Not assessed	Not assessed		Deteriorating
Element 2	Fishing	Single-use plastics				Pellets			Calonectris borealis	Calonectris borealis
Element source	MSFD	MSFD	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision	MSFD	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision		MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision
Criterion			D10C1	D10C1	D10C1		D10C2	D10C2	D10C3	D10C3
Parameter			Amount on coastline	Amount on seabed	Amount on water surface		Amount on coastline	Amount on water surface		AMO-B
Threshold value upper			20.0
Threshold value lower
Threshold value operator			<
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source			MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision; OSPAR
Value achieved upper			115.0		5.0		676.0	5.0		189.0
Value achieved lower			17.5
Value unit			median items/100m	number of items per square kilometre	number of items per square kilometre		number of items per kilogram of dry weight	items/m3		items/individual
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved			14.2
Proportion threshold value unit			% area of MRU achieving threshold value
Trend parameter			Improving	Not assessed	Improving		Improving	Not relevant		Not relevant
Parameter achieved			No	Not assessed	Yes, based on low risk		Yes, based on low risk	Not assessed		Not assessed
Description parameter			For this parameter, abundances were assessed according to the OSPAR protocol, using the median of the median per beach. Trends were estimated by beach (slope and its p-value, α = 0,05) and aggregated by the regional median of the Slopes. Unidentifiable mesoplastic fragments (5 mm to 2.5 cm) were not included. In 8 years of monitoring, 14 504 items were counted on the 7 beaches sampled, with a regional average of 89 itens/100 m. There was a statistically significant downward temporal trend. However, in view of the threshold of 20 itens/100 m, it was not possible to confirm GES, as the regional median in the period was 50 itens/100 m. The lowest median occurred in Praia d’Areia (17,5 itens/100 m) and the highest in Praia da Maia (115,0 itens/100 m).	The status of the parameter is not achieved through elements, but through the total amount of litter types. The information reported in the written report is based on the study by Duncan et al., 2023, which determined that the expected average abundance of ALDFG items in the Azores subdivision is 113 ± 310 km² items, with an average of 597 ± 756 ALDFG items per km² above 1 000 m depth. In total, 20.6 million ALDFG items are expected to be present on the seabed of the Azores (above 2 000 m depth), with 60 % of these items above 1 000 m.	Floating macrolitter is a parameter for which neither MSFD nor OSPAR thresholds have yet been assigned. However, EC indications of the possibility of assessing GES based on time and spatial trends should be considered. That said, with the 9 years of monitoring and the results of the analysis carried out, it can be admitted that the statistically significant downward trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas indicate that GES has been achieved for this component of D10. In this assessment, it was considered more appropriate to subdivide the EEZ of the Azores into coastal and offshore areas, considering a distance of 50 km from the coastline, as well as to group the annual visual transects into 40x40 km cells. The mean and median abundance of floating macrolitter items observed in the cells integrated in the coastal area (n = 163) were respectively 1,218 and 0,6265 items per cell. In the offshore area (n = 93) values were higher, namely an average of 2,180 items per cell and a median of 1,490 items per cell.		At European level, there are still no defined thresholds for the abundance of micro-litter on the coastline. Nevertheless, a qualitative assessment of GES based on time and spatial trends is allowed. Thus, in view of the results reported, the decreasing and statistically significant trends in the number of items per kg of dry sediment on the 8 beaches in the Azores (2016 – 2023) indicate that GES was achieved for this component of D10 (slope = -0,06031; p-value < 0,05). At local level, Praia do Porto Pim (Faial) stands out, with an average and median abundance of 96,62 and 53,95 microplastics/kg dry sediment, respectively, and a predominance of plastic fragments (88.5 % of the total). On a regional scale, the average and median abundance was 22,62 and 2,25 items/kg dry sediment. 2020 had the highest average for the period (54,19 items/kg), although not the highest median (2,87 items/kg). Overall, the data suggest a gradual reduction of micro-litter in coastal sediments.	The status of the parameter is not achieved through elements, but through the total amount of litter types. Regardless of the year of sampling, the density (n/m³) remained mostly between 0 and 5 microplastics per m³, with the average and median abundance of microplastics being 1,107 and 0,727 items per m³. the regional time trend obtained for the data collected, indicating a decreasing, statistically significant trend (slope: — 0,06789 and p-value > 0,05).		The status of the parameter is not achieved through elements, but through the total amount of litter types. A total of 11323 plastic items were recovered from the stomachs of the 1131 cagros sampled. 90 % (minimum CI = 88 %; Maximum CI = 91 %) of all birds sampled in the Azores were affected by plastic ingestion. In the Azores 93 % of juveniles were found (minimum CI = 91 %; Maximum CI = 94 %) have plastic items in their digestive tract, however in adults this was the case in 55 % of individuals (minimum CI = 46 %; Maximum CI = 65 %). In addition, it was also possible to assess the temporal trend in the abundance of plastics ingested by juvenile cagros in the Azores, and an increasing trend in the number of plastic items was identified.
Related indicator			AMA-PT-AZO-D10-Beaches; beachlitter-qsr23-ospar							LitterSpecies
Criteria status			Not good	Not good	Not good		Unknown	Unknown	Not good	Not good
Description criteria			For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.	For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.	For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.		GES for the parameter ‘microplastics on the coastline’ could only be established on the basis of the analysis of time trends that have shown to be statistically significant decreasing for the number of items per dry sediment weight on the 8 beaches sampled in the Azores between 2016 and 2023. The parameter ‘microplastics on the surface of the mare column’ the regional time trend obtained was decreasing but not statistically significant (slope: — 0,06789 and p-value > 0,05). As such, without thresholds for this parameter and significant and representative trends for the whole Azores subdivision, it will not be possible to assess GES due to insufficient data. The parameter “microplastics on the seabed” has not been assessed.	GES for the parameter ‘microplastics on the coastline’ could only be established on the basis of the analysis of time trends that have shown to be statistically significant decreasing for the number of items per dry sediment weight on the 8 beaches sampled in the Azores between 2016 and 2023. The parameter ‘microplastics on the surface of the mare column’ the regional time trend obtained was decreasing but not statistically significant (slope: — 0,06789 and p-value > 0,05). As such, without thresholds for this parameter and significant and representative trends for the whole Azores subdivision, it will not be possible to assess GES due to insufficient data. The parameter “microplastics on the seabed” has not been assessed.	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.	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	Not relevant	Not relevant	Not relevant	Not relevant	Not relevant	Not relevant	Unknown	Unknown		Not good
Description element	This element was used in the reporting of macrolitter monitoring on the coastline. The plastic items associated with fishing and aquaculture activities (FISH) provided for in Directive (EU) 2019/904 of 5 June 2009 were considered. In all marine litter items recorded on the selected beaches, the share of FISH items is rather low, at 2.42 %. In total, 666 FISH items were collected, with the average and median for this item being 4,09 itens/100m and 1,0 itens/100m, respectively. The assessment of the criterion is done by integrating the assessments obtained for each parameter and not by element.	This element was used in the reporting of macrolitter monitoring on the coastline. The single-use plastic items (SUPs) provided for in Directive (EU) 2019/904 of 5 June 2009 have been considered. In all of the marine litter items recorded on the selected beaches between 2016 and 2023, SUP items account for 10.48 % of these items, with a total of 2898 items collected, the average and median being 17,78 itens/100m and median 9,0 itens/100m, respectively. As analysed in the report, SUP items show a statistically significant increasing trend (p-value < 0,05). The assessment of the criterion is done by integrating the assessments obtained for each parameter and not by element. The assessment of the criterion is done by integrating the assessments obtained for each parameter and not by element.	The assessment of D10 is operationalised by integrating results per criterion, with each criterion in turn being assessed by integrating the parameters assigned to it (e.g. in D10C1: coastline, water column surface and bottoms). Thus, the assessment of the criterion stems from the combination of the performance of each parameter, and not from an assessment ‘per element’ independently. However, analysis of the available information has shown that macrolitter on the coastline and water column surface shows a decreasing regional time trend, although the abundance of coastal macrolitter is above the established threshold.	The assessment of D10 is operationalised by integrating results per criterion, with each criterion in turn being assessed by integrating the parameters assigned to it (e.g. in D10C1: coastline, water column surface and bottoms). Thus, the assessment of the criterion stems from the combination of the performance of each parameter, and not from an assessment ‘per element’ independently. However, analysis of the available information has shown that macrolitter on the coastline and water column surface shows a decreasing regional time trend, although the abundance of coastal macrolitter is above the established threshold.	The assessment of D10 is operationalised by integrating results per criterion, with each criterion in turn being assessed by integrating the parameters assigned to it (e.g. in D10C1: coastline, water column surface and bottoms). Thus, the assessment of the criterion stems from the combination of the performance of each parameter, and not from an assessment ‘per element’ independently. However, analysis of the available information has shown that macrolitter on the coastline and water column surface shows a decreasing regional time trend, although the abundance of coastal macrolitter is above the established threshold.	This element was used in the reporting of macrolitter monitoring on the coastline. For the period 2016-2023, there was an average and median of 1,334 items per kg of dry sediment and 0,095 items per kg of dry sediment, respectively. However, the assessment of the criterion is done by integrating the assessments obtained for each parameter and not by element.	The assessment of D10 is operationalised by integrating results per criterion, with each criterion in turn being assessed by integrating the parameters assigned to it (e.g. in D10C2: coastline, water column surface and bottoms). Thus, the assessment of the criterion stems from the combination of the performance of each parameter, and not from an assessment ‘per element’ independently. However, analysis of the available information has shown that micro-litter on the coastline and water column surface shows a decreasing regional time trend. Micro-litter in the funds was not assessed.	The assessment of D10 is operationalised by integrating results per criterion, with each criterion in turn being assessed by integrating the parameters assigned to it (e.g. in D10C2: coastline, water column surface and bottoms). Thus, the assessment of the criterion stems from the combination of the performance of each parameter, and not from an assessment ‘per element’ independently. However, analysis of the available information has shown that micro-litter on the coastline and water column surface shows a decreasing regional time trend. Micro-litter in the funds was not assessed.		A total of 11323 plastic items were recovered from the stomachs of the 1131 cagros sampled. 90 % (minimum CI = 88 %; Maximum CI = 91 %) of all birds sampled in the Azores were affected by plastic ingestion. Differences in% of occurrence frequency (% FO) were found between juveniles and adults, with 93 % of juveniles (minimum CI = 91 %; Maximum CI = 94 %) have plastic items in their digestive tract, but in adults this was the case in 55 % of individuals (minimum CI = 46 %; Maximum CI = 65 %).
Source assessment feature	MS in (sub)region	MS in (sub)region	MS in (sub)region	MS in (sub)region	MS in (sub)region	MS in (sub)region	MS in (sub)region	MS in (sub)region		MS in (sub)region
Reporting method feature	Type D	Type D	Type D	Type D	Type D	Type D	Type D	Type D		Type D
Trend feature	Improving	Improving	Improving	Improving	Improving	Stable	Stable	Stable		Stable
Integration rule type parameter	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	Other	Other	Other		OOAO
Integration rule description parameter	The one-out-all-out rule was applied to the assessment of criterion D10C1, considering that the results obtained made it possible to assess at least half of the parameters.	The one-out-all-out rule was applied to the assessment of criterion D10C1, considering that the results obtained made it possible to assess at least half of the parameters.	The one-out-all-out rule was applied to the assessment of criterion D10C1, considering that the results obtained made it possible to assess at least half of the parameters.	The one-out-all-out rule was applied to the assessment of criterion D10C1, considering that the results obtained made it possible to assess at least half of the parameters.	The one-out-all-out rule was applied to the assessment of criterion D10C1, considering that the results obtained made it possible to assess at least half of the parameters.	For criterion D10C2 it is not possible to integrate the various parameters due to a lack of data and methodologies for assessing the parameters on the amount of micro-litter on the surface of the water column and on the seabed. Portugal participates in the ongoing TG-ML discussions on methodologies for assessing micro-litter in the seabed and monitoring micro-litter in the water column.	For criterion D10C2 it is not possible to integrate the various parameters due to a lack of data and methodologies for assessing the parameters on the amount of micro-litter on the surface of the water column and on the seabed. Portugal participates in the ongoing TG-ML discussions on methodologies for assessing micro-litter in the seabed and monitoring micro-litter in the water column.	For criterion D10C2 it is not possible to integrate the various parameters due to a lack of data and methodologies for assessing the parameters on the amount of micro-litter on the surface of the water column and on the seabed. Portugal participates in the ongoing TG-ML discussions on methodologies for assessing micro-litter in the seabed and monitoring micro-litter in the water column.		The one-out-all-out rule was applied to the assessment of criterion D10C3, considering that the results obtained made it possible to assess at least half of the parameters (Calonectris borealis and Caretta caretta species). For criterion D10C4 ‘species adversely affected by marine litter’ there is no comprehensive and consistent data for temporal monitoring, however, anecdotal information is available. However, they are not sufficient to assess GES.
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	GES later than 2024, Art14ExceptionNotReported	GES later than 2024, Art14ExceptionNotReported	GES later than 2024, Art14ExceptionNotReported	GES later than 2024, Art14ExceptionNotReported	GES later than 2024, Art14ExceptionNotReported	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown		Unknown
Description overall status	For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.	For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.	For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.	For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.	For the Azores subdivision, with existing data, it was possible to assess the parameters ‘beach litter’ and ‘water column surface litter’ and it was found that the former is not in good environmental status (because the threshold proposed by the EC was not reached). However, considering the EC indications of the possibility to assess GES based on time and spatial trends, with 9 years of floating litter monitoring and the results of the analysis performed showed statistically significant decreasing trends obtained for coastal and offshore areas, indicating that GES was achieved for this component of D10. With regard to the fund component, the information reported is the result of an opportunistic methodology and provided us with an overview of the problem in the Azores subdivision, but it did not make it possible to establish whether or not this parameter of criterion D10C1 is in GES.	GES for the parameter ‘microplastics on the coastline’ could only be established on the basis of the analysis of time trends that have shown to be statistically significant decreasing for the number of items per dry sediment weight on the 8 beaches sampled in the Azores between 2016 and 2023. The parameter ‘microplastics on the surface of the mare column’ the regional time trend obtained was decreasing but not statistically significant (slope: — 0,06789 and p-value > 0,05). As such, without thresholds for this parameter and significant and representative trends for the whole Azores subdivision, it will not be possible to assess GES due to insufficient data. The parameter “microplastics on the seabed” has not been assessed.	GES for the parameter ‘microplastics on the coastline’ could only be established on the basis of the analysis of time trends that have shown to be statistically significant decreasing for the number of items per dry sediment weight on the 8 beaches sampled in the Azores between 2016 and 2023. The parameter ‘microplastics on the surface of the mare column’ the regional time trend obtained was decreasing but not statistically significant (slope: — 0,06789 and p-value > 0,05). As such, without thresholds for this parameter and significant and representative trends for the whole Azores subdivision, it will not be possible to assess GES due to insufficient data. The parameter “microplastics on the seabed” has not been assessed.	GES for the parameter ‘microplastics on the coastline’ could only be established on the basis of the analysis of time trends that have shown to be statistically significant decreasing for the number of items per dry sediment weight on the 8 beaches sampled in the Azores between 2016 and 2023. The parameter ‘microplastics on the surface of the mare column’ the regional time trend obtained was decreasing but not statistically significant (slope: — 0,06789 and p-value > 0,05). As such, without thresholds for this parameter and significant and representative trends for the whole Azores subdivision, it will not be possible to assess GES due to insufficient data. The parameter “microplastics on the seabed” has not been assessed.		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.
Assessments period	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023		2016-2023
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.AZO.M1 D10.AZO.M2 D10.PT.AZO.M1	D10.AZO.M1 D10.AZO.M2 D10.PT.AZO.M1	D10.AZO.M1 D10.AZO.M2 D10.PT.AZO.M1	D10.AZO.M1 D10.AZO.M2 D10.PT.AZO.M1	D10.AZO.M1 D10.AZO.M2 D10.PT.AZO.M1	D10.AZO.M1 D10.PT.AZO.M1	D10.AZO.M1 D10.PT.AZO.M1	D10.AZO.M1 D10.PT.AZO.M1		D10.PT.AZO.M1
Test TV	NA	NA	No	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Test results	False	False	Correct	Correct	False	False	False	Correct	False	Correct

Madeira subdivision (AMA-PT-SD-MAD)

Simplified table

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD	AMA-PT-SD-MAD
GES component	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	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
Element	Artificial polymer materials	Artificial polymer materials	Artificial polymer materials	Macrolitter (all)	Macrolitter (all)	Macrolitter (all)
Element extent
Trend element	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed
Element 2	Fishing gear	Other plastics	Single-use plastics
Element source	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision		MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision	MSFD; MSFD 2017 Decision
Criterion				D10C1	D10C1	D10C1	D10C2	D10C2	D10C2	D10C3
Parameter				Amount on coastline	Amount on seabed	Amount on water surface	Amount on coastline	Amount on seabed	Amount on water surface	AMO-B
Threshold value upper				20.0
Threshold value lower
Threshold value operator				<=
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source				MSFD; OSPAR
Value achieved upper				2021.0
Value achieved lower				13.0
Value unit				items/100m
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit				% area of MRU achieving threshold value
Trend parameter				Improving	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed
Parameter achieved				No	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed
Description parameter				In order to assess whether criterion D10C1 has achieved GES on the coastline, it should be assessed whether the regional abundance is below the proposed threshold value of 20 itens/100m. The regional abundance was based on the calculation of the median of the median obtained for each beach, resulting in a regional median of 196 itens/100 m. As such, it appears that the regional coastal macrolitter abundance is above the proposed threshold value, therefore this parameter is not in GES, and there is a need for a 90 % reduction in the abundance of coastal macrolitter in order to achieve GES.	Although the data considered constitute a first approach to the quantities of marine litter present in various areas of the south coast of Madeira, and limit values have not yet been established, the quality of the data available, which make it possible to analyse with certainty the type of interaction between macrolitter and seabed biota, makes it possible to carry out an initial assessment of Good Environmental Status, albeit with a low degree of confidence, even taking into account the size of the area sampled and the absence of comparative time series.	Although the results show a decrease in floating macrolitter between 2001 and 2018, with the exception of the wood typology, it is considered that for the time being there is no clear data or evidence on the risk to the coastal and marine environment (MBM, 2024) and therefore no GES assessment is made for this parameter for the current period.	Although this assessment includes a first approach to the quantities of micro-litter present on the coastline of the Madeira subdivision, it is not yet possible to carry out an assessment of GES, as limit values have not yet been set and the available data do not allow time trends to be established.	At the time of this assessment it has not yet been possible to obtain data on the amount of micro-litter in seabed sediments.	Although this assessment includes a first approach to the quantities of micro-litter present in the water column of the Madeira subdivision, it is not yet possible to carry out an assessment of GES, as limit values have not yet been set and the available data do not allow time trends to be established.	Despite the existence of some studies collecting data on the amounts of litter and microscopic litter (classified under the categories ‘artificial polymers’ and ‘other’) ingested by marine animals, the existing data are not in line with the units of measures listed in the criteria, in the case of items and weight (g)/weight or length of the individual, and no Good Environmental Status assessment can be carried out. It should also be noted that no limit values are set, nor is it possible to establish time trends on the basis of the available data.
Related indicator				AMA-PT-MAD-D10-OSPAR-BE1; beachlitter-qsr23-ospar	AMA-PT-MAD-D10-OSPAR-BE1; beachlitter-qsr23-ospar	AMA-PT-MAD-D10-OSPAR-BE1; beachlitter-qsr23-ospar
Criteria status				Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed
Description criteria				Considering that it is only possible to assess the GES of a marine litter parameter (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 GES of a marine litter parameter (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 GES of a marine litter parameter (amount of marine litter on the coastline), it is not possible to determine the GES of the criterion.	The existing data on the abundance of micro-litter in the subdivision of Madeira is not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.	The existing data on the abundance of micro-litter in the subdivision of Madeira is not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.	The existing data on the abundance of micro-litter in the subdivision of Madeira is not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.	Existing data on the amount of litter and micro-litter ingested by marine animals in the subdivision of Madeira is not sufficient to assess the environmental status of this criterion.
Element status	Not relevant	Not relevant	Not relevant	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Description element	This element was used in the reporting of macrolitter monitoring on the coastline. The assessment of the criterion is done by integrating the assessments obtained for each parameter and not by element.	This element was used in the reporting of macrolitter monitoring on the coastline. The assessment of the criterion is done by integrating the assessments obtained for each parameter and not by element.	This element was used in the reporting of macrolitter monitoring on the coastline. The assessment of the criterion is done by integrating the assessments obtained for each parameter and not by element.	Considering that it is only possible to assess the GES of a marine litter parameter (amount of marine litter on the coastline), it is not possible to determine the GES of this element.	Considering that it is only possible to assess the GES of a marine litter parameter (amount of marine litter on the coastline), it is not possible to determine the GES of this element.	Considering that it is only possible to assess the GES of a marine litter parameter (amount of marine litter on the coastline), it is not possible to determine the GES of this element.
Source assessment feature	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
Trend feature	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed
Integration rule type parameter	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO
Integration rule description parameter	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO	OOAO
Integration rule type criteria
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed
Description overall status							At the time of this evaluation, there is not enough information to assess the status of this feature.	At the time of this evaluation, there is not enough information to assess the status of this feature.	At the time of this evaluation, there is not enough information to assess the status of this feature.	At the time of this evaluation, there is not enough information to assess the status of this feature.
Assessments period	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023	2016-2023
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)
Related targets	D10.MAD.M1 D10.MAD.M3	D10.MAD.M1 D10.MAD.M3	D10.MAD.M1 D10.MAD.M3	D10.MAD.M1 D10.MAD.M3	D10.MAD.M1 D10.MAD.M3	D10.MAD.M1 D10.MAD.M3	D10.MAD.M1	D10.MAD.M1	D10.MAD.M1	D10.MAD.M1 D10.MAD.M2
Test TV	NA	NA	NA	No	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Test results	False	False	False	Correct	Correct	Correct	Correct	Correct	Correct	Correct

Extendend Continental Shelf Subdivision (AMA-PT-SD-PCE)

Simplified table

Regional assessment area
Component MRUs
GES component	D10	D10
Feature	Litter in the environment	Micro-litter in the environment
Element
Element extent
Trend element
Element 2
Element source
Criterion
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
Description criteria
Element status
Description element
Source assessment feature	MSFD	MSFD
Reporting method feature	Type D	Type D
Trend feature	Not assessed	Not assessed
Integration rule type parameter	Not relevant	Not relevant
Integration rule description parameter
Integration rule type criteria	Not relevant	Not relevant
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved	Not assessed	Not assessed
Description overall status	The data available is very limited and therefore the area is not assessed	No micro-litter data collected in the review period
Assessments period	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)
Related targets	D10.PT.AZO.M1 D10.PT.CON.M1 D10.PT.MAD.M1	D10.PT.AZO.M1 D10.PT.CON.M1 D10.PT.MAD.M1
Test TV	NA	NA
Test results	False	False