MS/Art11/2020/D1-F/Cyprus/Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea

Member State report / Art11 / 2020 / D1-F / Cyprus / Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea

Report type	Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article	Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due	2020-10-15
GES Descriptor	D1 Fish
Member State	Cyprus
Region/subregion	Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea
Reported by	Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environm
Report date	2020-12-14
Report access	ART11_CY_MONpro_v13.xml ART11_CY_MONstrat_v10.xml

Simplified table

Descriptor	D1.4
Monitoring strategy description	Cyprus has implemented the program code MALCY-D0143 in the geographical area of MAL-CY-MS. The monitoring program aims to investigate the abundance and geographical distribution and habitat identification of fish and cephalopods in maritime areas of Cyprus. Under this program is the sub program MALCY-D0143-01 (fish and cephalopods monitoring program) and is listed as partially active in the maritime areas of Cyprus (GSA 25). The monitoring program is conducted yearly at the MEDITS sampling stations in water depths of 10 to 800 m. The methodology follows two sampling programs the MEDITS WG (2013) and the multi-force fishing (large pelagics ICTAT) then the data is transferred to the DFMS database. The monitoring program follows the MSFD criteria and indicators of species distribution (i.e. distributional range, pattern within latter where appropriate, and area covered by the species), population size (i.e. abundance and/or biomass), population condition (i.e. population demographic characteristics [body size or age class structure, sex ratio, fecundity rates, survival/mortality rates]), habitat condition (relative abundance and/or biomass), proportion of selected species at the top of the food web, and large fish.
Coverage of GES criteria	Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024
Gaps and plans	Continuation of sampling for fish and cephalopods through Program MALCY-D0143 at the MEDITS sampling stations should be sufficient to re-establish GES for this biodiversity component. It is also recommended that the environmental authorities explore the option of utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) to augment and enhance the results of the direct collection methodology that is currently in place (Thomsen and Willerslev, 2015). By using eDNA techniques correctly, it may be possible to monitor changes in biodiversity of those fish and cephalopod species that may be more cryptic (and therefore more difficult to monitor) within Cypriot territorial waters. Additionally, it may be possible to implement a more cost-effective sampling program that alternates yearly between an intensive field sampling effort and less intense eDNA sampling effort which relies on the collection and analysis of water samples.
Related targets	Target2 Target3 Target4
Coverage of targets	Adequate monitoring will be in place by 2024
Related measures
Coverage of measures
Related monitoring programmes	D01
Programme code	D01
Programme name	Biodiversity
Update type	Same programme as in 2014
Old programme codes
Programme description	The biodiversity monitoring programmes focuses on the distributions and abundances of birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and cephalopods (relating to Descriptor 1). The programmes capitalize in part on existing monitoring programmes. It addresses the MSFD biodiversity indicators as well as several of the indicators of Ecological Objective 01 adopted by the Contracting Parties of UNEP / MAP (2013) and aims to support the formal establishment of indicators and targets. The programmes also aim to generate a comprehensive assessment of marine species distribution and population size for all important species as well as potentially identify impacts and threats. The DFMR has implemented “Guidelines for an Offshore Environmental Baseline Survey for Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Cyprus (DFMR, 2017)” to provide a current status of the environment prior to commencing activities in the oil and gas lease areas. Per these requirements, sediment samples are taken to assess the macrofaunal communities during Environmental Baseline Surveys (EBS) in the Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ). The Cyprus fish and cephalopods monitoring programme focuses on state characteristics that describe the distributions, abundances, and demographic characteristics of demersal fish and cephalopods found in Cyprus waters. Moreover, shifts in these established indicators, e.g., population/age structure, may capture the effects of fishing (pressure). The programme uses data from the established Mediterranean International Trawling Survey (MedITS) to complement the three indicators and targets established in 2012 for fish, with additional ones for fish and cephalopods that will be formally established in 2018. The water column habitats monitoring programme addresses the state of the physicochemical conditions of the water column of Cyprus waters, and abundance and biomass of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Moreover, the programme assesses trends in their abundance and biomass with time, as groups with fast turnover times at the base of the food web. This programme establishes many baseline-level values against which the eutrophication (MALCY-D05) and hydrographical changes (MALCY-D07) monitoring programmes will assess their results. It addresses several MSFD biodiversity and food-web indicators of Ecological Objectives 05 and 07 adopted by the Contracting Parties of UNEP/MAP (2013). Marine & Environmental Research Lab Ltd. (2019). The seabed habitats monitoring programme focuses on the distribu
Monitoring purpose	Effectiveness of measures Environmental state and impacts
Other policies and conventions	Birds Directive Habitats Directive Nitrates Directive UNEP-MAP Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme Water Framework Directive
Regional cooperation - coordinating body
Regional cooperation - countries involved
Regional cooperation - implementation level	Common monitoring strategy
Monitoring details	The Game Fund Service methodology was used and consisted of monthly bird observations in each investigation area. The monitoring program followed the MSFD criteria and indicators of species distribution, distributional range, distributional pattern within the latter, population size, and population abundance and/or biomass; and UNEP/MAP (2013) criteria and indicators of distributional range, population abundance, and population density. The physicochemical parameters of the water column include master-variables that control the productivity of the food web and the habitability of the water column. Establishing baseline values at suitable reference stations can already be achieved from existing data for coastal waters (UNEP/MAP, WFD, and Nitrates Directive monitoring) as well as territorial waters for some parameters. Expansion beyond the coastal zone will allow the firm establishment of baseline conditions for these master-variables that are only otherwise known from occasional research studies in the region. See also the “Guidelines for an Offshore Environmental Baseline Survey for Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Cyprus (DFMR, 2017).
Features	Surface-feeding birds	Coastal/shelf cephalopods	Demersal shelf fish	Seals	Turtles	Coastal/shelf cephalopods	Demersal shelf fish	Turtles	Surface-feeding birds	Coastal/shelf cephalopods	Demersal shelf fish	Seals	Turtles		Coastal/shelf cephalopods	Demersal shelf fish	Other benthic habitats			Chemical characteristics			Physical and hydrological characteristics
Elements	Larus ridibundus	Sepia officinalis	Lophius budegassa Merluccius merluccius Mullus barbatus barbatus Pagellus erythrinus Raja clavata Raja polystigma	Monachus monachus	Caretta caretta Chelonia mydas	Sepia officinalis	Lophius budegassa Merluccius merluccius Mullus barbatus barbatus Pagellus erythrinus Raja clavata Raja polystigma	Caretta caretta Chelonia mydas	Larus ridibundus	Sepia officinalis	Lophius budegassa Merluccius merluccius Mullus barbatus barbatus Pagellus erythrinus Raja clavata Raja polystigma	Monachus monachus	Caretta caretta	Chelonia mydas	Sepia officinalis	Lophius budegassa Merluccius merluccius Mullus barbatus barbatus Pagellus erythrinus Raja clavata Raja polystigma	Posidonia beds (Posidonion oceanicae)			Dissolved oxygen (O2) NH4+ NO2-N NO3-N Si(OH)4 TN TP	pH	Scattering and absorption in the visible light spectrum (400-700 nm)	Temperature	Transparency	Turbidity (silt/sediment loads)
GES criteria	D1C2	D1C2	D1C2	D1C2	D1C2	D1C3	D1C3	D1C3	D1C4	D1C4	D1C4	D1C4	D1C4		D1C5	D1C5	D6C3	D6C4	D6C5	NotRelevan			NotRelevan
Parameters	Other	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass	Abundance (number of individuals) Biomass	Abundance (number of individuals)	Abundance (number of individuals)	Length Sex distribution	Sex distribution	Abundance (number of individuals) Breeding success Length	Distribution (pattern) Distribution (range) Other	Distribution (pattern) Distribution (range)	Distribution (pattern) Distribution (range)	Distribution (pattern) Distribution (range)	Distribution (pattern) Distribution (range) Other	Distribution (pattern) Distribution (range)	Other	Other	Other	Extent Other	Other	Concentration in water	Ph	Transparency of water	Temperature	Transparency of water	Transparency / turbidity of water column
Parameter Other	Population density within distributional range	Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate	Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate			Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate	Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate		Population density within distributional range	Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate	Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate		Species population characteristics (survival rate)		Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate	Relative abundance and / or biomass as appropriate	Indirect effects of nutrient enrichment - Abundanc	Habitat area	Relative abundance and/or biomass
Spatial scope	Coastal waters (WFD) EEZ (or similar) Terrestrial part of MS Territorial waters Transitional waters (WFD)
Marine reporting units	MAL-CY-MS
Temporal scope (start date - end date)	2005-9999
Monitoring frequency	As needed
Monitoring type	In-situ sampling coastal In-situ sampling land/beach In-situ sampling offshore Remote surveillance Visual observation
Monitoring method	International bottom trawl survey in the Mediterranean Manual (Version 9) Other monitoring method UNEP/MAP Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Guidance (2016) WFD Guidance document n.° 19 - Monitoring under the Water Framework Directive (surface water chemical monitoring) WFD Guidance document n.° 25 - Chemical Monitoring of Sediment and Biota WFD Guidance document n.° 32 - Biota Monitoring WFD Guidance document n.° 33 - Analytical Methods for Biota Monitoring WFD Guidance document n.° 7 - Monitoring under the Water Framework Directive (monitoring framework)
Monitoring method other	D1. As described in the monitoring records of the Game Fund and fauna Service of the Republic of Cyprus and in the Terms of Reference document. D1 Biodiversity - Mammals and Reptiles The monitoring methods implemented in previous surveys in the region (eg. Ryan at al., 2014) and/or those recommended by a regional body, eg. ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of cetaceans in the Black Sea Mediterranean Sea and Contigous Atlantic Area) are implemented. Mortality monitoring is conducted according to cetacean and turtle strandings programme procedures. See also “Guidelines for an Offshore Environmental Baseline Survey for Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in Cyprus (DFMR, 2017). For the marine turtles the monitoring follows the “Manual for the Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean, (1995) UNEP(MAP/SPA) IUCN/CWS/Fish. Dept. MANRE (Cyprus)” and the “Addendum 1 – Conservation Practices, Manual for the Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean (2008)”. The monitoring of Monachus monachus follows a national Protocol. Biodiversity - Water columns
Quality control	Described in game fund and fauna Service monitoring records. As described in recommended methodology. QUASIMEME External validation system and internal lab quality control. Biodiversity - Sea bed habitats: Monitoring Quality Control: as described in Antoniadis et al. (2020)
Data management	DFMR database "THETIS".
Data access	http://10.120.32.2/Default.aspx,https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/biodiversity/state-of-nature-in-the-eu/article-12-national-summary-dashboards
Related indicator/name	Abundance of opportunistic macroalgae (ESG IIA) Abundance of perennial macroalgae (ESG IA) Abundance of shade-adapted, slow growing calcareous macroalgae (ESG IC) Birds - Distributional pattern within range, where appropriate Birds - Distributional range Birds - Population abundance Distributional range of P. oceanica Fish and cephalopods - Age structure Fish and cephalopods - Body size structure Fish and cephalopods - Population abundance Fish and cephalopods - Population biomass Fish and cephalopods - Population sex ratio Fish and cephalopods - Proportion of fish larger than the mean size of first sexual maturation Fish and cephalopods - Species diversity – Pielou’s Evenness-J’ Fish and cephalopods - Species diversity – Shannon-Weaver- H’ Habitat area of P. oceanica Macroalgal abundance Macroalgal species diversity – Pielou’s Evenness, J’ Macroalgal species diversity – Shannon-Weaver, H’ Macroalgal species number Mammals and reptiles - Distribution of nesting sites Mammals and reptiles - Distributional pattern within range, where appropriate Mammals and reptiles - Distributional range Mammals and reptiles - Population abundance P. oceanica biomass PREI POSIDONIA Phytoplankton abundance Trend in phytoplankton abundance Trend in water column Chlorophyll a concentration Trend in water column Chlorophyll a fluorescence Trend in water column dissolved oxygen Trend in zooplankton abundance Turbidity Water column Chlorophyll a concentration Water column Chlorophyll a fluorescence Water column N:P Water column N:Si Water column NH4+ concentration Water column NO2- concentration Water column NO3- concentration Water column dissolved oxygen (% saturation) Water column pH Water column photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) depth at 1 % of surface value Water column salinity Water column temperature Water transparency depth (Secchi disc) Zooplankton abundance Zooplankton biomass CY144.2.6 CY144.2.7 CY144.2.8 CY144.2.9 CY144.3.4 CY144.3.5 CY144.3.6
Contact
References	Argyrou, M., Aplikioti, M., Marcou, M., & Stavrou, P. (2011). Πρόγραμμα παρακολούθησης παράκτιων υδάτων σύμφωνα με το Άρθρο 8 της Οδηγίας Πλαίσιο για τα Νερά (ΟΠΥ, 2000/60/ΕΚ) (p. 26). Nicosia, Cyprus: Department of Fisheries and Marine Research. Pergent G., 2007. Protocol for the setting up of Posidonia meadows monitoring systems. « MedPosidonia » Programme / RAC/SPA - TOTAL Corporate Foundation for Biodiversity and the Sea; Memorandum of Understanding N°21/2007/RAC/SPA_MedPosidonia NautilusOkianos: 24p + Annexes.