Good environmental status for the descriptor "non-indigenous species" is achieved "if the introduction of new species approaches zero, and if non-indigenous species do not have a negative impact on populations of native species and habitats. As with the WFD, non-indigenous species should not be an exclusion criterion for achieving the GES as a whole.

Currently, only criterion D2C1, as set out in Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848, is used to determine GES for D2. Future use of criteria D2C2 and D2C3 is dependent on scientific progress.
Existing assessment methods are not sufficient for a MSFD specific assessment of the specific effects on populations of native species (secondary criterion D2C2) and natural habitats (secondary criterion D2C3). There is a need for research.

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 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 shall be taken into account under Article 8_GES, taking into account, as far as possible, the regional assessments that have been coordinated so far and, on a case-by-case basis, supplemented by national assessments.

Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystem.

GES not determined at sub-regional level as laid down in Article 3 (5) (b) of the MSFD. The evaluation under Article 8 was based on the assessment of criterion D2C1.


In the present assessment, the list of non-indigenous species present has increased significantly, currently the list for the Azores has 85 species, a higher number than initially reporting, however, this increase does not represent the real rate of new introductions during this cycle, but a greater effort for monitoring is why it has been chosen not to define or assess GES at Descriptor level.

The introduction of non-native species via human activities has been minimized and, as far as possible, reduced to zero.

Decreasing trend in the number of introductions of non-indigenous species per policy period (6 years; OSPAR).

The number of non-indigenous species newly introduced into the wild through human activities, per assessment period (six years), measured from the reference year as reported for the initial assessment, shall be minimised and, where possible, reduced to zero.

The number of non-indigenous species newly introduced into the natural environment through human activities per assessment period (six years), counted from the reference year used for the initial assessment carried out in accordance with Article 8(1) of Directive 2008/56/EC, shall be minimised and, if possible, reduced to zero (Decision 2017/848/EU).

D2C1: Newly introduced non-native species The number of non-native species newly introduced through human activity into the wild per assessment period (six years), measured from the reference year and reported in the initial assessment, is minimised and where possible reduced to zero.

Good environmental status of the descriptor is achieved if the introduction of new non- indigenous species is minimal and if possible close to zero in the next assessment cycle, ensuring that thresholds have not yet been set at sub-regional level. Thresholds not defined for sub-regions


The number of non-indigenous species recently introduced into the natural environment by human activity, per assessment period (6 years), is minimised and, where possible, reduced to zero.

The geographical distribution of non-native species, especially invasive species, introduced through human activities is, as far as possible, at a level that does not cause adverse effects on marine species and habitats.

D2C2: Established non-native species, in particular non-native invasive species that are included in the list of relevant species for use in the assessment of the criterion, are at levels of abundance and distribution that do not adversely affect the ecosystem

Abundance and spatial distribution of established non-indigenous species, in particular of invasive species, which contribute significantly to the negative effects on selected species groups or habitat types


In the present assessment, the list of non-indigenous species present has increased significantly, currently the list for the Azores has 85 species, a higher number than initially reporting, however, this increase does not represent the real rate of new introductions during this cycle, but a greater effort for monitoring is why it has been chosen not to define or assess GES at Descriptor level.

The geographical distribution of non-native species, especially invasive species, introduced through human activities is, as far as possible, at a level that does not cause adverse effects on marine species and habitats.

D2C3: Species groups and general habitat types exposed to risks from non-native species for descriptors 1 and 6 are in a proportion per species group and extent for each major habitat type assessed that does not adversely alter native species and habitat composition.

Abundance and spatial distribution of established non-indigenous species, in particular of invasive species, which contribute significantly to the
negative effects on certain species groups or habitat types

D2C1: HELCOM's threshold value for non-resident species in the Baltic Sea area means that no new introductions of non-resident species per assessment area are conducted via human activities over a six-year assessment period. However, by extension of the threshold, HELCOM mentions that a mid-term target for a decline in new introductions should be considered. OSPAR has not set a threshold, and therefore there is not a sufficient basis for assessing when good environmental conditions can be achieved in the North Sea. It is not expected that a decrease in new introductions of non-native species can be achieved until, among other things, international efforts, such as the UN Ballast Convention, for example, are beginning to take effect. Data is generally lacking, but it is immediately estimated that a good environmental condition has not been achieved in the Baltic Sea or the North Sea, nor is it expected in 2020.


D2C2: When a non-resident species is established in the marine environment, it is almost impossible to eradicate why prevention or early action is considered the most cost-effective means of limiting non-resident and potentially invasive species. The monitoring of non-native species is subject to some uncertainty, so monitoring should be targeted and further developed.


D2C3: When a non-resident species is established in the marine environment, it is almost impossible to eradicate why prevention or early action is considered the most cost-effective means of limiting non-resident and potentially invasive species. The monitoring of non-native species is subject to some uncertainty, so monitoring should be targeted and further developed.

D2: Regional cooperation in the reporting period focused on the development of methodological standards for assessing the various pressure and condition aspects based on Commission Decision 2010/477/EU. In the regional or subregional cooperation, within the framework of OSPAR, it has mostly not been possible to agree threshold values for these indicators in order to make (quantitative) statements about the state of the affected loads or the ecosystem components. Commission Decision (EU) 2017/848 results in an explicit obligation for the EU member states to agree assessment elements, threshold values and integration rules within the framework of the EU MSFD CIS process and through regional or subregional cooperation. Germany is actively working with the states bordering the North Sea, within the framework of the current work programmes of the EU MSFD CIS process and the OSPAR bodies, to establish them, where a coordinated definition is still missing.

D2C1: Given the heterogeneity of the available data due to the lack of standardisation of methods, it is currently not possible to statistically assess the status of criterion D2C1 (decreasing trend in the number of new introductions). The definition of a quantitative threshold (number of newly introduced species) associated with the "minimum level" of ENI introduction compatible with good ecological status is currently not complete. The methodological standards relating to the D2C1 criterion for newly introduced non-native species will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good ecological status of marine waters.

D2: Participation in MSFD expert network on Non-Indigenous Species. Under the ongoing coordination with Spain and France, in particular in the framework of the RAGES project, the objective of which is to establish thresholds, targets, action programmes and monitoring, and to make regional recommendations for the harmonised implementation of MSFD in the North-East Atlantic region.


D2C1: Thresholds for subregion.Participation in the MSFD expert network on Non-Indigenous Species and RAGES project, the objective of which is to establish thresholds, targets, action programmes and monitoring, and to make regional recommendations for the harmonised implementation of MSFD in the North-East Atlantic region.


D2C2: No information available.


D2C3: No information available.