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Environmental information systems
This page provides an overview of the status of 's coastal and marine environment, based on assessments reported to the European Commission under various legal frameworks aimed at protecting Europe's seas. These frameworks include the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Nature directives, and the Bathing Water Directive (BWD).
Belgium
Belgium
> 10%
of the total country area (land/marine) is covered by marine waters
%
of marine waters is covered by Protected areas
Marine waters in
Greater North Sea | 3,458 km2 |
is part of the following Regional Sea Convention(s):
Marine waters in , Article 3(1) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Disclaimer: this map serves as a working tool only and shall not be considered as an official or legally-binding map representing marine borders in accordance with international laws. This map shall be used without prejudice to the agreements that will be concluded between Member States or between Member States and non-EU states in respect of their marine borders. Public access limited according to Article 13(1)(a) of the INSPIRE Directive
National Competent Authority(ies) for the MSFD implementation
- FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment - Service Marine environment
- FPS Economy, SME's and Energy, DG Quality and Safety
- FPS Mobility and Transport
- FPS Science Policy, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Service Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea
- Defense - Naval component
- FPS Economy, SME's and Energy, DG Energy
Relevant national initiatives and portals
Section under implementation
Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)
Good Environmental Status of marine features in
Assessment of the MSFD “State” Descriptors as reported under Article 8 in 2018
has assessed the environmental status of a number of features per descriptor under Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Article 8, updated in 2018. The dashboard below shows the assessment results of the MSFD "State" Descriptors and features where the Good Environmental Status has been achieved, not yet achieved or not assessed (including unknown and not relevant). Use the drop down filters on the left to select a specific marine subregion.
Assessment of the MSFD "Pressure" Descriptors as reported under Article 8 in 2018
The dashboard below shows the assessment results of the MSFD "Pressure" Descriptors and features where the Good Environmental Status has been achieved, not yet achieved or not assessed (including unknown and not relevant). Use the drop down filters on the left to select a specific marine subregion.
More data and information on MSFD results
Ecological status of transitional and coastal waters for
Assessment from the WFD 1st (2010) and 2nd (2016) River 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 as assessed in the context of the first and second River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Chemical status of transitional and coastal waters for
Assessment from the WFD 1st (2010) and 2nd (2016) River Basin Management Plans
Chemical status is defined as either: ‘Good’ or ‘Failing to achieve Good’, depending on concentrations of priority substances exceed the relevant EQS established in the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (2008/105/EC, as amended by the Priority Substances Directive 2013/39/EU). This dashboard displays the Chemical status of the transitional and coastal waters of as assessed in the context of the first and second River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
More data and information on WFD ecological and chemical status results
Conservation status and trend of the marine habitats and species in
Assessment required by the Habitats Directive under Article 17 for the period 2013-2018
The dashboard presents the latest assessments’ results about the status and trend of marine species populations and of habitats at the level of the biogeographical or marine region belongs.
More data and information on Habitats Directive Art.17
Marine protected areas in
Bathing water quality in
Assessment of bathing water quality reported in 2023 under the Bathing Water Directive
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 , where in 2021 most of the bathing waters were excellent or good.