Belgium
Legend
Marine waters
This map draws on information provided by the Member State to represent its marine waters, according to Article 3(1) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). This map is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as the official boundary delimitation between neighboring countries. Jurisdictional borders are the sole responsibility of Member States. The European Commission and European Environment Agency have no responsibility on this matter.
Marine waters in km2
| Greater North Sea | 3,458 |
Belgium is part of the following Regional Sea Convention(s):
Marine waters per country
Marine waters per capita
Status of the marine environment
Results of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive assessment of Good Environmental Status reported in 2018 under Article 8.
Belgium has assessed the environmental status of a number of features per descriptor under the 2018 update of MSFD Article 8, which were reported electronically to the European Commission. The dashboard shows the list of MSFD "State" Descriptors and related features where the Good Environmental Status has been achieved, not yet achieved or not assessed (including unknown and not relevant).
Pressures in the marine environment
Results of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive assessment of Good Environmental Status reported in 2018 under Article 8.
The dashboard shows the list of MSFD "Pressures" Descriptors and related features where the Good Environmental Status has been achieved, not yet achieved or not assessed (including unknown and not relevant).
Status of marine species and habitats
Assessed by the Habitats Directive during the 2013-2018 reporting cycle.
European Commission under Article 17 every 6 years. The assessment is based on information about the status and trends of species populations and of habitats at the level of the biogeographical or marine region. In the following dashboard, the assessments reported by Belgium are presented, where they can be displayed as status or status and trend.
Ecological status of transitional, coastal and territorial waters
Reported under the Water Framework Directive, 1st and 2nd Rriver Basin Management Plans.
Ecological status is a composite assessment of the quality surface water ecosystems. It shows the combined impact of pressures such as pollution, habitat degradation and climate change.
This dashboard displays the Ecological status of the transitional and coastal waters of Belgium as assessed in the context of the first and second River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Read more in the WISE Freshwater section.
Status of bathing water quality
The bathing waters sites are monitored under the Bathing Water Directive in regards to the values of two microbiological parameters (Intestinal enterococci and Escherichia coli) and the results are reported on a yearly basis to the European Commission. Where a bathing water is classified as 'poor', Member States should take measures such as banning bathing or advising against it, providing information to the public, and taking suitable corrective actions. The dashboard displays the results reported by Belgium, where in 2021 most of the bathing waters were excellent or good.