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.

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.

Mortality of sea trout as a by-catch of net fishing is declining in each sea area. Fish are assessed first by species and then by the status of the fish on the basis of all indicators.

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

The density of juvenile sea trout spawners shall be at least 50% of the maximum density determined for each river. The fish are assessed first by species and then by the status of the fish on the basis of all indicators.

Anthropogenic hazards do not adversely affect the population abundance of the species, thus ensuring its long-term viability. The abundance of key species in the Baltic Sea coastal fish communities (abundance of plaice) is assessed.


The population abundance of the species is not adversely affected due to anthropogenic pressures, such that its long-term viability is ensured.
The indicators are “Salmon (Salmo salar) breeders and pike abundance” and “Sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta abundance and pike abundance” are evaluated.

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

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.

Habitat in the Bothnian Bay: The average growth rate of spawning parent fish is decreasing and the proportion of small fish spawning fish is decreasing. The fish are assessed first by species and then by the status of the fish on the basis of all indicators.

Demographic characteristics of species populations (eg body size or age class, sex ratio, fertility and survival rates) indicate that populations are in good condition and not adversely affected by anthropogenic hazards. The indicators D4C2 and D4C3 “Fish Community Abundance Index (Predatory Fish Abundance)” and “Fish Community Size Index” are used to assess the status according to the D1C3 criterion.

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.

The range and (if appropriate) pattern of the species distribution correspond to the prevailing physiographic, geographical and climatic conditions. The indicators "Fish Community Diversity Index (Shannon Index)" and "Fish Community Trophic Index" are evaluated.

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.

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.

D1C3: Indicators for criterion D1C3 are not available for the HELCOM region, still in the development phase.

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.

D1C2: The criterion applies to coastal areas, with the exception of two indicators for assessing the abundance of sea trout and salmon. For the high seas, the criterion is hardly used and its values are not determined due to a lack of data. Stocking on the high seas was planned for winter 2019-2020, but due to bad weather and delays in the procurement procedure studies were postponed to winter 2020-2021. The indicator “Breeding seabird abundance” is currently not applicable for national assessment: out of 26 species included in the HELCOM indicator assessment, 16 breed in Lithuania, but their habitats in Lithuania are not related to the marine environment. The latter indicator would be suitable for assessing the abundance of the large cormorant population, but due to the measures taken to regulate the population (grandfathering from interceptions) the assessment would not be accurate.
The mammal indicator (Population abundance) has not been assessed as there are no seal colonies in Lithuanian marine waters which need to be monitored according to the HELCOM methodology.


D1C3: Indicators for criterion D1C3 are not available for the HELCOM region, still in the development phase.

D1.4: The focus of the...

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