MS/Art9/2018/D10/Mediterranean

Member State report / Art9 / 2018 / D10 / Mediterranean

Report type	Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article	Art. 9 Determination of GES (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due	2018-10-15
GES Descriptor	D10 Litter
Region/subregion	Mediterranean
Reported by	Member state

Member state		United Kingdom	Spain	France	Italy	Malta	Slovenia	Croatia	Greece	Cyprus
Member state report		MWE	MWE	MWE	MAD MIC MWE	MIC	MAD	MAD	MAD MAL MIC	MAL
Marine reporting units	MRUs used		MWE-ES-SD-ESAL MWE-ES-SD-LEV	MWE-FR-MS-MO	IT-AS-0001 IT-ISCMS-0001 IT-WMS-0001	MIC-MT-MS-01 MIC-MT-MS-02	MAD-SI-MRU-1			MAL-CY-MS
Structure, functions and processes of marine ecosystems: Species	Turtles					D10C3 (1) D10C4 (1)
Anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment: Substances, litter and energy	Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)				D10C1 (3) D10C2 (3)
Pressure levels and impacts in marine environment: Chemical	Litter in the environment		D10 (2)	D10C1 (1)		D10C1 (1)	D10 (1)			D10 (1) D10C1 (1)
Pressure levels and impacts in marine environment: Chemical	Micro-litter in the environment			D10C2 (1)		D10C2 (1)				D10 (1) D10C2 (1)
Pressure levels and impacts in marine environment: Chemical	Litter and micro-litter in species									D10 (1)
GES description	D10 Litter		GES: That where the amount of marine litter, including its degradation products, on the coast and in the marine environment decreases (or is reduced) over time and is at levels that do not result in harmful effects on the marine and coastal environment.				Good marine environment status is achieved when marine litter properties and quantities do not harm the coastal and marine ecosystem. Waste in the marine environment does not endanger human well-being and does not create negative economic effects for the economy and coastal communities. Good status of the marine environment as regards the presence of marine litter and ashore is achieved when the amounts of marine litter within the limit values/baselines are set at the level of the sub-region, the region or the European Community. The cut-off/baseline values also constitute objectives.			The marine environment of Cyprus is considered to be in good environmental status by the year 2020 if contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption do not exceed levels established by Community legislation or other relevant standards..
GES description	D10C1 Litter (excluding micro-litter) (10.1, 10.1.1, 10.1.2)			The composition, quantity and spatial distribution of waste in the coastal zone, on the surface of the water column and on the seabed are at levels that do not adversely affect the coastal and marine environment (Decision 2017/848/EU).	G 10.1 The composition and quantity of marine litter on the coastline, in the surface layer of the water column, on the seabed, micro-litter in the top layer of the water column and ingested marine litter marine animals are such that they do not cause significant impacts on the coastal and marine ecosystem.	Trends in the number of litter items on the coastline, on the surface of the water column and on the seabed are decreasing throughout the 6-year assessment period and not deviating from UNEP/MAP’s set baseline values.				Through BLUEISLANDS project a special attention is paid to both the microplastics (<5mm) and macroplastics (>5mm, including mesoplastics: 0.5cm – 2.5cm), in highly touristic coastal areas. According to the results of the project, the marine litter items collected on the beach of Sunrise is dominated by the mesoplastics (34.31%), followed by the cigarette butts (19.88%). Microplastics account for 8.05% of the total marine litter items collected. Similar on Faros beach, the marine litter items collected is dominated by the mesoplastics (53.16%) followed by the cigarette butts (17.17%). The microplastics account for 10.48% of the total marine litter items collected. Finally, on the remote beach of Timi, the marine litter items collected is dominated by the mesoplastics (55.05%) followed by the microplastics with 15.73% of the total marine litter items collected. These items can be attributed to the shoreline source, including poor waste management practices, tourism and recreational activities, presenting a clear seasonal pattern. Another study conducted in Cyprus concerning microplastic pollution (Duncan, 2018), took place in 17 nesting sites for loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Microplastics (< 5 mm) were found at all locations and depths, with particularly high abundance in superficial sand. The top 2 cm of sand presented grand mean ± SD particle counts of 45,497 ± 11,456 particles m−3 (range 637–131,939 particles m−3). The most polluted beaches were among the worst thus far recorded, presenting levels approaching those previously recorded in Guangdong, South China. Microplastics decreased with increasing sand depth but were present down to turtle nest depths of 60 cm (mean 5,325 ± 3,663 particles m−3. Composition varied among beaches but hard fragments (46.5 ± 3.5%) and pre-production nurdles (47.8 ± 4.5%) comprised most categorised pieces. Particle drifter analysis hind cast for 365 days indicated that most plastic likely originated from the eastern Mediterranean basin. Worsening microplastic abundance could result in anthropogenically altered life history parameters such as hatching success and sex ratios in marine turtles. The following criteria have not yet been assessed. The monitoring programmes are expected to start in 2020.
GES description	D10C2 Micro-litter (10.1, 10.1.3)			The composition, quantity and spatial distribution of micro-waste in the coastal zone, on the surface of the water column and in seabed sediments are at levels that do not adversely affect the coastal and marine environment (Decision 2017/848/EU).	G 10.1 The composition and quantity of marine litter on the coastline, in the surface layer of the water column, on the seabed, micro-litter in the top layer of the water column and ingested marine litter marine animals are such that they do not cause significant impacts on the coastal and marine ecosystem.	Trends in amount of micro-litter on the coastline, in the surface of the water column and in seabed sediment are decreasing throughout the 6-year assessment period and not deviating from UNEP/MAP’s baseline values, where established.				Through BLUEISLANDS project a special attention is paid to both the microplastics (<5mm) and macroplastics (>5mm, including mesoplastics: 0.5cm – 2.5cm), in highly touristic coastal areas. According to the results of the project, the marine litter items collected on the beach of Sunrise is dominated by the mesoplastics (34.31%), followed by the cigarette butts (19.88%). Microplastics account for 8.05% of the total marine litter items collected. Similar on Faros beach, the marine litter items collected is dominated by the mesoplastics (53.16%) followed by the cigarette butts (17.17%). The microplastics account for 10.48% of the total marine litter items collected. Finally, on the remote beach of Timi, the marine litter items collected is dominated by the mesoplastics (55.05%) followed by the microplastics with 15.73% of the total marine litter items collected. These items can be attributed to the shoreline source, including poor waste management practices, tourism and recreational activities, presenting a clear seasonal pattern. Another study conducted in Cyprus concerning microplastic pollution (Duncan, 2018), took place in 17 nesting sites for loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Microplastics (< 5 mm) were found at all locations and depths, with particularly high abundance in superficial sand. The top 2 cm of sand presented grand mean ± SD particle counts of 45,497 ± 11,456 particles m−3 (range 637–131,939 particles m−3). The most polluted beaches were among the worst thus far recorded, presenting levels approaching those previously recorded in Guangdong, South China. Microplastics decreased with increasing sand depth but were present down to turtle nest depths of 60 cm (mean 5,325 ± 3,663 particles m−3. Composition varied among beaches but hard fragments (46.5 ± 3.5%) and pre-production nurdles (47.8 ± 4.5%) comprised most categorised pieces. Particle drifter analysis hind cast for 365 days indicated that most plastic likely originated from the eastern Mediterranean basin. Worsening microplastic abundance could result in anthropogenically altered life history parameters such as hatching success and sex ratios in marine turtles. The following criteria have not yet been assessed. The monitoring programmes are expected to start in 2020.
GES description	D10C3 Litter ingested (10.1, 10.2.1)					Trend in the number of stranded specimens of the marine reptile Caretta caretta showing evidence of mortality, injury or other health effects as a result of interaction with marine litter (ingestion or entanglement) decreases over a 12-year assessment period.
GES description	D10C4 Adverse effects of litter (10.2)					Trend in the number of stranded specimens of the marine reptile Caretta caretta showing evidence of mortality, injury or other health effects as a result of interaction with marine litter (ingestion or entanglement) decreases over a 12-year assessment period.
Determination date			2019-06 (D10)	2019-10 (D10C2, D10C1)	2018-12 (D10C2, D10C1)	2019-12 (D10C4, D10C2, D10C1, D10C3)	2019-08 (D10)			2013-04 (D10C2, D10, D10C1)
Update type			Same as last reported determination (D10)	New determination (D10C2, D10C1)	Modified from reported determination (D10C2, D10C1)	Modified from reported determination (D10C4, D10C2, D10C1, D10C3)	Modified from reported determination (D10)			Same as last reported determination (D10C2, D10, D10C1)
Justification for non-use of criterion								D10C1: Since the knowledge of the state, quantities and properties, and litter impacts on the marine environment at the current level are insufficient, it was not possible to determine the GES and trends of this criteria in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. D10C2: Since the knowledge of the state, quantities and properties, and litter impacts on the marine environment at the current level are insufficient, it was not possible to determine the GES and trends of this criteria in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.
Justification for delay in setting EU/regional requirements			D10: The GES was defined in 2012 at descriptor level D10. Given the specific characteristics of microplastics and the environmental effects that may arise, different from those of macro-litter, it could be of interest in defining a specific GES at indicator level. However, current scientific knowledge is not sufficient to be able to define thresholds or threshold concentrations above which any adverse effects on the marine environment may be suspected and therefore it seems difficult to be able to propose an alternative definition to that at the level of the descriptor. The definition of GES is therefore maintained.	D10C1: Methodological developments (protocols, thresholds or integration rule) and the acquisition of additional data are necessary to be able to assess the status of the D10C1 criterion. The indicators relating to this criterion are considered operational because the collection or observation protocols and the methods for calculating the metrics have been mastered. However, the lack of thresholds and long data series does not allow to conclude whether the GES has been achieved or not. In addition, developments are underway to harmonise the MSFD categories and the OSPAR categories, which will allow the three parameters relating to the quantities of waste on the shoreline, floating waste and waste on the bottom to be integrated for the next assessment by category. The methodological standards relating to this criterion will be specified following further studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters. D10C2: Concerning criterion D10C2, three indicators are being developed, namely "Micro-waste on the shoreline", "Floating micro-waste" and "Micro-waste in bottom sediments". However, the indicators "Micro-waste on the shoreline" and "Micro-waste in bottom sediments" could not be assessed due to the lack of operational protocols and the indicator "Floating micro-waste" could not be assessed as a whole due to the too low number of samples in this MRU and the lack of threshold for the parameter "Quantity (number) in water" of micro-waste. The methodological standards for the D10C2 criterion will be further developed following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters. D10C2: Concerning criterion D10C2, three indicators are being developed, namely "Micro-waste on the shoreline", "Floating micro-waste" and "Micro-waste in bottom sediments". However, the indicators "Micro-waste on the shoreline" and "Micro-waste in bottom sediments" could not be assessed due to the lack of operational protocols and the indicator "Floating micro-waste" could not be assessed due to the lack of data and the absence of a threshold for the parameter "Quantity (number) in water" of micro-waste. The methodological standards for criterion D10C2 will be further developed following further studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters. D10C2: Concerning criterion D10C2, three indicators are being developed, namely "Micro-waste on the shoreline", "Floating micro-waste" and "Micro-waste in bottom sediments". However, the indicators "Micro-waste on the shoreline" and "Micro-waste in bottom sediments" could not be assessed due to the lack of operational protocols and the indicator "Floating micro-waste" could not be assessed due to the low number of samples in this MRU. The methodological standards relating to criterion D10C2 will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.				D10: Since the knowledge of the state, quantities and properties, and litter impacts on the marine environment at the current level are insufficient, it was not possible to determine the current status and trends of this descriptor in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. D10C1: Since the knowledge of the state, quantities and properties, and litter impacts on the marine environment at the current level are insufficient, it was not possible to determine the GES and trends of this criteria in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. D10C2: Since the knowledge of the state, quantities and properties, and litter impacts on the marine environment at the current level are insufficient, it was not possible to determine the GES and trends of this criteria in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea.		D10: Quantitative indicators have only begun to be calculated recently.