Biodiversity is maintained. The quality and occurrence of habitats, as well as the occurrence and density of species, correspond to the prevailing physiographic, geographical and climatic conditions.

The GES for D1 is defined, inter alia, by:
... the coastal waters in accordance with the Water Framework Directive are in good environmental status and in good chemical status.
... the habitat types of Annex I (habitat type 11) of the Habitats Directive that are relevant to the North Seaare are in a favourable conservation status.
... the species of Annex II to the Habitats Directive, relevant for the North Sea, as well as species of the Birds Directive relevant for the North Sea, are in favourable conservation status due to the quality of their feeding grounds.
... the species, species groups and habitats listed in the Wadden Sea Plan are in good condition.
... the objectives of conventions for specific single species or species groups (e.g. ASCOBANS, seaport)are met.
... the Ecological Quality Objectives (EcoQO), as defined by OSPAR, are met.

The criteria for determining good environmental status for D1 fish set out in Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 are as follows: D1C1, D1C2, D1C3, D1C4, D1C5. Criteria D1C2, D1C4 and D1C5 could be assessed. However, assessment is not yet possible for D1C1 and D1C3.

Explanation: Germany does not update the general description of good environmental status (GES) from 2012 at descriptor level in this reporting exercise. Over the reporting period, Germany has worked with the North Seas countries in the framework of the EU's MSFD process and in OSPAR to develop methodological standards (indicators, evaluation procedures). Specific aspects of criteria and indicators that contribute to a quantitative assessment of good environmental status are reported in the reporting scheme Art. 8_GES. For the assessment of the criteria set out in Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, the relevant assessments under other EU directives are taken into account under Article 8_GES. Where possible, the regional assessments that have been coordinated so far are considered and complemented by national assessments on a case-by-case basis.

Biological diversity is conserved. The quality of habitats and their number, as well as the distribution and abundance of species are adapted to existing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions (Directive 2008/56/EC).

GES not determined at sub-regional level as laid down in Article 3 (5) (b) of the MSFD. In the assessment under Article 8, based on criterion D1C2, it is considered that if for 75 % of the species current biomass levels are not lower than those observed at the beginning of the series or the annual fishing mortality rate (F) is equal to or lower than the reference point (Fpa) and the spawning biomass (SSB) is not below BMSY or Bpa, the GES of the group is reached. The assessment of the group has been carried out only in cases where the number of species with assessment was equal to or greater than three.

Mortality per species resulting from accidental by-catch are below levels that threaten the species in the long term.

GES not determined at sub-regional level as laid down in Article 3 (5) (b) of the MSFD. The description of Decision (EU) 2017/848 continued. The mortality rate per species due to by-catches of commercially-exploited fish species is below the levels that put the species at risk and its long-term viability is ensured.


N/A

D1C2 Populations of birds, mammals and fish are not adversely affected due to anthropogenic pressures, and their long-term viability is ensured GES:

Birds: When at least 75% of the species within a species group achieve their species specific threshold values. The species are assessed within each of the five species groups (surface feeding, pelagic feeding, benthic feeding, grazing and wading).

Seals: GES defined as: When the threshold values ​​for all indicators of each species under relevant criteria are achieved in the assessment area. Each species is assessed on the basis of the criterion of D1C2, D1C3 and D1C4 which show the worst status.

Fish: Coastal fish species achieve GES when at least 90% of the assessment areas reach the species specific threshold values. Demersal and pelagic species achieve GES when at least 90% of the species in each species group reach their threshold values. Status is assessed separately for the three species groups coastal fish, demersal fish and pelagic fish.

The population density of the species is not adversely affected by man-made pressures, so the long-term survival of the species is ensured.

Increase in the proportion of vulnerable species of fish in the fish community (OSPAR assessment value).

The population density of the species is not affected by anthropogenic loads, so the long-term viability of the species is guaranteed.

D1C3 The populations of birds, mammals and fish have demographic characteristics (eg size distribution, nutritional status and reproductive ability) that indicate that they are healthy and not adversely affected by human activity. Good environmental status: See D1C2. D1C3 The demographic characteristics (e.g., size structure, nutritional status and reproduction) of birds, mammals and fish indicate healthy populations that are not adversely affected due to anthropogenic pressures. GES: See under D1C2

Species population demographic characteristics (e.g. body size or age class structure, gender distribution, reproduction rates, survival rates) indicate a healthy population that is not adversely affected by man-made pressures.

Increase in the proportion of large fish in the fish community (OSPAR assessment value)

The demographic characteristics of the population (eg body size or age structure, gender ratio, fertility and survival rates) of the species indicate a healthy population that is not harmed by anthropogenic pressures.

In relation to the distribution area for fish that are not exploited commercially, good environmental status is assessed to correspond to favorable conservation status under the Habitats Directive.

The distribution area and, if applicable, the distribution pattern of the species is in accordance with the prevailing physiographic, geographical and climatic conditions.

In relation to habitat for fish that is not exploited commercially, good environmental status is assessed to correspond to favourable conservation status under the Habitats Directive.

The size and condition of the habitat of the species are suitable to support the different phases of the species life cycle.

D1C3: The assessment of criterion D1C3 is not handled for marine mammals and birds as it is a secondary criterion.


D1C5: It is a secondary criterion and therefore not assessed for birds.

D1.4: Insufficient data to assess D1C1 criterion


D1C1: FishDemersalShellf

D1.4: There is currently no regionally coordinated list of the by-catch of fish that is not used for commercial purposes. Thresholds for fish that are not exploited for commercial purposes have not yet been established


D1C1: No mortality threshold per species has yet been set as a result of incidental by-catch at regional level. Only for porpoises is the by-catch threshold used by Marine Strategy I.


D1C2: Thresholds are set for several of the HELCOM species groups and for certain OSPAR groups. However, for most species, the thresholds must be in accordance with favourable reference population values established by the Member State under Directive 92/43/EEC. As these values do not correspond to those determined regionally, the assessment carried out under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive and Article 12 of the Birds Directive is used where possible.


D1C3: There is currently no regionally coordinated list of the by-catch of fish that is not used for commercial purposes. Thresholds for fish that are not exploited for commercial purposes have not yet been established


D1C4: There are no threshold values but only trends for birds. For marine mammals, the state assessment for Article 17 of the Habitats Directive is reproduced.


D1C5: There is currently no regionally coordinated list of the by-catch of fish that is not used for commercial purposes. Thresholds for fish that are not exploited for commercial purposes have not yet been established

D1.4: During the reporting period, regional cooperation focused on the development of methodological standards to assess the various aspects of stress and resilience on the basis of Commission Decision 2010/477/EU. The OSPAR regional cooperation has failed to agree on thresholds for all indicators. Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 establishes an obligation to agree on evaluation elements, thresholds and integration rules within the framework of the EU MSFD CIS process in regional cooperation. Germany is actively working with the North Sea littoral states in the framework of the EU MSFD and OSPAR bodies, where a coordinated definition is still missing. For fish, criteria D1C2, D1C4 and D1C5 could be assessed The assessment of criteria D1C4 and D1C5 was only possible for species covered by the Habitats Directive. Assessment was not possible for D1C1 and D1C3.

D1C2: Member States establish a set of representative species from each species group (Table 1 from EU 2017/848), which are selected according to the criteria in 'specifications for the selection of species and habitats' (EU 2017/848). This, as well as the establishment of threshold values for each species, is done through regional or sub-regional cooperation.


D1C3: For fish in development within OSPAR.


D1C4: Member States shall establish a set of representative species from each species group as listed in Table 1 (EU2017 / 848), selected in accordance with the criteria in 'Specification for species and habitats' specifications (EU 2017/848). This, as well as the setting of threshold values, is done through regional or sub-regional cooperation.


D1C5: Member States shall establish a set of representative species from each species group as listed in Table 1 (EU2017 / 848), selected in accordance with the criteria in 'Specification for species and habitats' specifications (EU 2017/848). This, as well as the setting of threshold values, is done through regional or sub-regional cooperation.

D1.4: Criterion D1C1 has not been assessed for commercially exploited stocks as it relates only to non-commercially exploited species. The indicators used for criterion D1C3 for these stocks are common to those used for criterion D3C3 which could not be filled in during this evaluation. Criteria D1C1, D1C2, D1C3 do not have operational indicators for basking shark, porbeagle and angel shark, as does D1C1 for sea bass. This is related to the lack of an operational monitoring programme and data to develop indicators. Furthermore, the literature review carried out for these species did not provide information on these criteria but only an overall status of the species. The methodological standards associated with these criteria will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.



D1.4: Criterion D1C1 has not been assessed for commercially exploited stocks since it only concerns species not exploited for commercial purposes. The indicators used for criterion D1C3 for these stocks are common to those of criterion D3C3 which could not be filled in during this evaluation. There is not yet an operational indicator for criterion D1C1 for coastal fish, and criteria D1C1, D1C2 and D1C3 for the basking shark, porbeagle shark and common sea angel. This is linked to the absence of an operational monitoring programme and of data to develop indicators. Furthermore, the bibliographic synthesis carried out for these species did not provide information on these criteria but only an overall status of the species. The methodological standards associated with these criteria will be clarified following further studies, as provided for in the 2019 Ministerial Order relating to the definition of good ecological status for marine waters.

D1.4: List of species...