FOR GES: For coastal waters, when the values defined as good/moderate status limit are not exceeded and are included in the management plans published in 2016 (2015/2021 hydrological planning cycle).
For areas beyond coastal areas, they shall be considered as achieving GES when no significant increasing trends are detected in the period 2011-2016 and no concentrations above baseline values are recorded beyond statistically expected.

Human-induced eutrophication, in particular with regard to its adverse effects, such as loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, toxic algal blooms and deoxygenation of bottom waters, is minimised (Directive 2008/56/EC).

The good status of the marine environment in relation to human-induced eutrophication and its negative effects is achieved when adverse effects caused by eutrophication (e.g. loss of biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algal blooms and oxygen deficiency in the bottom layers) are minimal. Good status of the marine environment for human-induced eutrophication through activities (D5) is achieved when the values relevant for the assessment of the situation set out in the transitional chapters for relevant elements and parameters are reached. At the same time, these values also constitute environmental objectives.

Nutrient concentrations are not at levels indicating adverse effects related to eutrophication (Decision 2017/848/EU).

G 5.1 In waters beyond the limit of coastal water bodies of Directive 2000/60/EC and up to the limit of waters
under national jurisdiction, the surface concentration of nutrients must not exceed values
specific thresholds.

Concentrations of chlorophyll a are not at levels indicating adverse effects (Decision 2017/848/EU).

G 5.2 The coastal water bodies of Directive 2000/60 / EC must be at least in a 'Good' state for the 'Phytoplankton' Biological Quality Element; in waters beyond the limit of water bodies and up to the limit of waters subject to national jurisdiction, the surface concentration of chlorophyll 'a' must not exceed specific threshold values.

The photic limit of the water column is not reduced by an increase in the amount of suspended algae to a level indicating adverse effects (Decision 2017/848/EU).

The concentration of dissolved oxygen is not reduced to levels indicating adverse effects on benthic habitats (Decision 2017/848/EU).

G 5.3 The onset of hypossics and anoxic phenomena in bottom waters, induced by anthropogenic eutrophication, are
these do not lead to significant and lasting adverse effects on benthic ecosystems. Do not include:
phenomena not induced by anthropogenic conditions such as strong thermal stratification and/or aline.

The species composition and relative abundance or depth distribution of macrophyte communities reach values indicating absence of adverse effects (Decision 2017/848/EU).

D5: Decision (EU) 2017/848 does not change the definition of the GES for the three criteria assessed. therefore, the same definition has been maintained for the first cycle of the Member States, which reflected the requirement set out in the Decision to accept the threshold values used in Directive 2000/60/EC.

D5: Criterion D5C1 could not be completed in the coastal zone of the Western Mediterranean Marine Sub-Region. The lack of data and consensus to define a threshold in this MRU did not allow a relevant assessment of this criterion. No criterion could be assessed due to the absence of an aggregation rule (threshold) for each parameter assessed. The assessment of the status of each parameter is carried out at the level of the basic unit of assessment, i.e. the WFD water body or the grid box according to the MRU considered, without aggregation at the MRU level. However, the assessment allows the identification of criteria and problem areas to guide the actions that must be implemented for a return to or maintenance of good status. The methodological standards relating to the criteria of Descriptor 5 will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.



D5C1: Criterion D5C1 could not be filled in for this assessment in the coastal zone of the Western Mediterranean Marine Sub-Region. Indeed, the lack of data (collection effort being mainly concentrated in lagoon areas more prone to eutrophication problems) and of consensus to define a threshold in this MRU did not allow a relevant evaluation of this criterion. The methodological standards relating to criterion D5C1 will be specified following further studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.


D5C1: For descriptor D5, no criteria could be evaluated due to the absence of an aggregation rule (threshold) at the level of each parameter evaluated. Indeed, the assessment of the status of each parameter is carried out at the level of the basic unit of assessment, i.e. the WFD water body or the grid box according to the MRU considered, without aggregation at the scale of the MRU. However, the assessment allows the identification of criteria and problem areas to guide the actions that must be implemented for a return to or maintenance of good status. The methodological standards relating to the criteria of Descriptor 5 will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.



D5C2: For descriptor D5, no criteria could be evaluated due to the absence of an aggregation rule (threshold) at the level of each parameter evaluated. Indeed, the assessment of the status of each parameter is carried out at the level of the basic unit of assessment, i.e. the WFD water body or the grid box according to the MRU considered, without aggregation at the scale of the MRU. However, the assessment allows the identification of criteria and problem areas to guide the actions that must be implemented for a return to or maintenance of good status. The methodological standards relating to the criteria of Descriptor 5 will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.



D5C4: For descriptor D5, no criteria could be evaluated due to the absence of an aggregation rule (threshold) at the level of each parameter evaluated. Indeed, the assessment of the status of each parameter is carried out at the level of the basic unit of assessment, i.e. the WFD water body or the grid box according to the MRU considered, without aggregation at the scale of the MRU. However, the assessment allows the identification of criteria and problem areas to guide the actions that must be implemented for a return to or maintenance of good status. The methodological standards relating to the criteria of Descriptor 5 will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.



D5C5: For descriptor D5, no criteria could be evaluated due to the absence of an aggregation rule (threshold) at the level of each parameter evaluated. Indeed, the assessment of the status of each parameter is carried out at the level of the basic unit of assessment, i.e. the WFD water body or the grid box according to the MRU considered, without aggregation at the scale of the MRU. However, the assessment allows the identification of criteria and problem areas to guide the actions that must be implemented for a return to or maintenance of good status. The methodological standards relating to the criteria of Descriptor 5 will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.



D5C7: For descriptor D5, no criteria could be evaluated due to the absence of an aggregation rule (threshold) at the level of each parameter evaluated. Indeed, the assessment of the status of each parameter is carried out at the level of the basic unit of assessment, i.e. the WFD water body or the grid box according to the MRU considered, without aggregation at the scale of the MRU. However, the assessment allows the identification of criteria and problem areas to guide the actions that must be implemented for a return to or maintenance of good status. The methodological standards relating to the criteria of Descriptor 5 will be specified following additional studies, as provided for in Ministerial Order 2019 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters.