This criterion is to be addressed later, through the analysis of the surface affected by physical alterations and its overlap with different types of habitats. For the time being, and until specific monitoring programs are put in place, work is being done to collect existing information on the presence of benthic habitats. The main collection has been done as a consequence of the reporting obligations to the European Commission regarding the directive 1992/43/eec of the Council, of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive). It is in this context that the existing information related to 1170 habitats has been organized. Reefs, 1180. Underwater structures caused by gas emissions and 8330. Submerged or semi-submerged marine caves, present in the 3 bio-geographic regions where the marine waters of Spain are located, one of them being the Northeast Atlantic, which covers the North Atlantic DM. One of the main sources of information has been the IEO. Of all the data requested, only cartographic information has been provided. The projects that have been developed in recent years have been focused on the identification and mapping of benthic habitats, therefore there is no information related to the structure and functions of benthic habitats, as well as future prospects or conservation status. - Cartography of the Initial Evaluation of the Marine Strategies - Cartography of the EuSeaMap2 project - Cartography of the INDEMARES areas - Cartography of El Cachucho - Cartography of the Gaviera Canyon - Cartography of the submerged or semi-submerged marine caves in the marine SACs of the Canary Islands - Cartography carried out within the framework of diverse oceanographic campaigns carried out by the IEO (DEMERSAL, ARSA, ECOCÁDIZ, ISUNEPCA, MEDITS, MEDWAVES). Useful information has also been made available through the information sent by the Autonomous Communities to the DGSCM through the "Data Flow. Different Autonomous Communities have sent information related to marine habitats 1170, 1180 and 8330: cartography in the two projections (UTM and LAM) and information or data on the coverage of the habitats as well as the pressures, threats and conservation measures adopted. The cartographic results are contained in the text documents

For the time being, and until specific monitoring programs are put in place, work is being done to collect existing information on the presence of benthic habitats. The main collection has been done as a consequence of the reporting obligations to the European Commission regarding the directive 1992/43/eec of the Council, of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive). It is in this context that the existing information related to 1170 habitats has been organized. Reefs, 1180. Underwater structures caused by gas emissions and 8330. Submerged or semi-submerged marine caves, present in the 3 bio-geographic regions where the marine waters of Spain are located, one of them being the Northeast Atlantic, which covers the North Atlantic DM. The cartographic results are included in the text documents. One of the main sources of information has been the IEO. Of all the data requested, only cartographic information has been provided. The projects that have been developed in recent years have been focused on the identification and mapping of benthic habitats, therefore there is no information related to the structure and functions of benthic habitats, as well as future prospects or conservation status. - Cartography of the Initial Evaluation of the Marine Strategies - Cartography of the EuSeaMap2 project - Cartography of the INDEMARES areas - Cartography of El Cachucho - Cartography of the Gaviera Canyon - Cartography of the submerged or semi-submerged marine caves in the marine SACs of the Canary Islands - Cartography carried out within the framework of diverse oceanographic campaigns carried out by the IEO (DEMERSAL, ARSA, ECOCÁDIZ, ISUNEPCA, MEDITS, MEDWAVES). Useful information has also been made available through the information sent by the Autonomous Communities to the DGSCM through the "Data Flow. Different Autonomous Communities have sent information related to marine habitats 1170, 1180 and 8330: cartography in the two projections (UTM and LAM) and information or data on the coverage of the habitats as well as the pressures, threats and conservation measures adopted. The cartographic results are contained in the text documents

For the time being, and until specific monitoring programs are put in place, work is being done to collect existing information on the presence of benthic habitats. The main collection has been done as a consequence of the reporting obligations to the European Commission regarding the directive 1992/43/eec of the Council, of 21 May 1992, on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive). It is in this context that the existing information related to 1170 habitats has been organized. Reefs, 1180. Underwater structures caused by gas emissions and 8330. Submerged or semi-submerged marine caves, present in the 3 bio-geographic regions where the marine waters of Spain are located, one of them being the Northeast Atlantic, which covers the North Atlantic DM. The cartographic results are included in the text documents. One of the main sources of information has been the IEO. Of all the data requested, only cartographic information has been provided. The projects that have been developed in recent years have been focused on the identification and mapping of benthic habitats, therefore there is no information related to the structure and functions of benthic habitats, as well as future prospects or conservation status. - Cartography of the Initial Evaluation of the Marine Strategies - Cartography of the EuSeaMap2 project - Cartography of the INDEMARES areas - Cartography of El Cachucho - Cartography of the Gaviera Canyon - Cartography of the submerged or semi-submerged marine caves in the marine SACs of the Canary Islands - Cartography carried out within the framework of diverse oceanographic campaigns carried out by the IEO (DEMERSAL, ARSA, ECOCÁDIZ, ISUNEPCA, MEDITS, MEDWAVES). Useful information has also been made available through the information sent by the Autonomous Communities to the DGSCM through the "Data Flow. Different Autonomous Communities have sent information related to marine habitats 1170, 1180 and 8330: cartography in the two projections (UTM and LAM) and information or data on the coverage of the habitats as well as the pressures, threats and conservation measures adopted. The cartographic results are contained in the text documents

The minimum surface area of the North Atlantic seabed area which has undergone some form of disturbance during the present assessment period is 283 km², which represents 0.09 % of the area covered by the demarcation. Trading of commercial vessels is the assessed activity (no disturbance associated with trawling has been assessed) which may have caused more disturbance to the seabed with an area of 224 km², although the higher value of the surface disturbed corresponds to a low probability of disturbance. The areas with a very high probability of disturbance of the seabed in the area are located in the vicinity of the ports of Ondarroa, Burela, Cillero and Santa Uxia de Ribeira. Areas with high probability of disturbance are located in the vicinity of the ports of Bermeo, Bilbao, Santona, Brens-Cee, Pobra do Caraminal, Marin, San Julian de Arosa and Vigo. It should be noted that the other ports of general interest generally have a more extensive area of disturbance than the other ports, although with a lower probability of disruption, highlighting the ports of Gijon and La Coruna, with a moderate probability of disturbance in larger areas. This criterion has been analysed through the analysis of pressures caused by physical disturbance of the marine seabed (temporary or reversible), which can be found in document II of the Marine North Atlantic Strategy. These results are not considered to be complete, as this has not been done. Trawl fishing is a very relevant factor for this criterion.

Physical loss of marine substrate is considered to be seabed sealing and loss of substrate. The surface area of the North Atlantic seabed enclosed during the present evaluation period is 1,5 million m². The expansion of the ports, in particular the Puerta de Gijon-el Musel, has been the most damaging activity on the seabed. No new jetties have been built in this assessment period and no artificial reefs have been installed in Asturias (no data are available from the other Autonomous Communities in Asturias). The seabed area of the area concerned by the extraction and deposition of sediments during the present assessment period is 919.077 m². The extraction of sand from submarines is the action that has been affected most. No new beaches have been set up in this evaluation period in this evaluation period. Thus, the physical loss of seabed litter from the North Atlantic river basin during the period 2011-2016 was 2.434.800 m². 0.0008 % of the surface area of the North Atlantic subregion is affected by permanent physical alterations. For this criterion, the threshold value should be established by cooperation at the level of the European Union. This issue will be addressed through the newly constituted working group D6 of COM, but for the moment no agreements have been reached. There is therefore no value for benchmark against which to compare, therefore it is not possible to conclude on the criterion: although the value appears to be rather low. On the other hand, when referring only to the period of evaluation 2011-2016, not addressing the total of existing permanent physical disturbance previously. This criterion has been analysed through the analysis of pressures for physical losses (due to a permanent change of seabed substrate or morphology and substrate extraction for the seabed), which can be found in Marine Strategy Document II North Atlantic.

This criterion has to be addressed at a later stage, through the analysis of the surface area affected by physical alterations and its overlap with the different types of habitats. For the time being and until the specific monitoring programmes are put in place, the collection of existing information on the presence of habitats is ongoing. benthic. The main collection has been carried out as a result of the obligations of reporting to the European Commission on Council Directive 1992/43/EEC of 21 May 2009 of 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive). In this context, the existing related information has been organised. habitats 1170. Reefs, 1180. Submarine structures made by leaking gases and 8330. Submerged or semi-submerged sea caves, present in the 3 regions bio-geographical, in which the marine waters of Spain, including the Atlantic, take place North East, which covers South Asian DM. The IEO has been one of the main sources of information. Of all data requested, only we have received cartographic information. The projects that have been developed in the past years have been targeted on the identification and mapping of benthic habitats, not therefore, information relating to the structure and functions of the habitats is available. benthic, as well as future prospects or conservation status. — Mapping of the Initial Evaluation of Marine Strategies — Mapping to the EuSeaM2 project Maps from INDEMARES areas Cartography from El Cachucho — Mapping from Cañón de la Gaviera. — Mapping of submerged or semi-submerged sea caves in the marine SACs of Canarias Maps carried out under various oceanographic surveys carried out by IEO (DEMERSAL SPECIES, ARSA, ECOCÁDIZ, ISUNEPCA, MEDITS, MEDWAVES) Useful information has also been provided through the information sent by Autonomous Communities to DGSCM through the data flow system. Different CCAAs they have sent information related to marine habitats 1170, 1180 and 8330: Cartography at the two projections (UTM and LAM) and information/data on habitat coverage as well as such as pressures, threats and conservation measures adopted. The cartographic results are set out in the text documents

For the time being and until the specific monitoring programmes are put in place, the collection of existing information on the presence of habitats is ongoing. benthic. The main collection has been carried out as a result of the obligations of reporting to the European Commission on Council Directive 1992/43/EEC of 21 May 2009 of 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive). In this context, the existing related information has been organised. habitats 1170. Reefs, 1180. Submarine structures made by leaking gases and 8330. Submerged or semi-submerged sea caves, present in the 3 regions bio-geographical, in which the marine waters of Spain, including the Atlantic, take place North East, which covers South Asian DM. The IEO has been one of the main sources of information. Of all data requested, only we have received cartographic information. The projects that have been developed in the past years have been targeted on the identification and mapping of benthic habitats, not therefore, information relating to the structure and functions of the habitats is available. benthic, as well as future prospects or conservation status. — Mapping of the Initial Evaluation of Marine Strategies — Mapping to the EuSeaM2 project Maps from INDEMARES areas Cartography from El Cachucho — Mapping from Cañón de la Gaviera. — Mapping of submerged or semi-submerged sea caves in the marine SACs of Canarias Maps carried out under various oceanographic surveys carried out by IEO (DEMERSAL SPECIES, ARSA, ECOCÁDIZ, ISUNEPCA, MEDITS, MEDWAVES) Useful information has also been provided through the information sent by Autonomous Communities to DGSCM through the data flow system. Different CCAAs they have sent information related to marine habitats 1170, 1180 and 8330: Cartography at the two projections (UTM and LAM) and information/data on habitat coverage as well as such as pressures, threats and conservation measures adopted. The cartographic results are set out in the text documents

For the time being and until the specific monitoring programmes are put in place, the collection of existing information on the presence of habitats is ongoing. benthic. The main collection has been carried out as a result of the obligations of reporting to the European Commission on Council Directive 1992/43/EEC of 21 May 2009 of 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive). In this context, the existing related information has been organised. habitats 1170. Reefs, 1180. Submarine structures made by leaking gases and 8330. Submerged or semi-submerged sea caves, present in the 3 regions bio-geographical, in which the marine waters of Spain, including the Atlantic, take place North East, which covers South Asian DM. The IEO has been one of the main sources of information. Of all data requested, only we have received cartographic information. The projects that have been developed in the past years have been targeted on the identification and mapping of benthic habitats, not therefore, information relating to the structure and functions of the habitats is available. benthic, as well as future prospects or conservation status. — Mapping of the Initial Evaluation of Marine Strategies — Mapping to the EuSeaM2 project Maps from INDEMARES areas Cartography from El Cachucho — Mapping from Cañón de la Gaviera. — Mapping of submerged or semi-submerged sea caves in the marine SACs of Canarias Maps carried out under various oceanographic surveys carried out by IEO (DEMERSAL SPECIES, ARSA, ECOCÁDIZ, ISUNEPCA, MEDITS, MEDWAVES) Useful information has also been provided through the information sent by Autonomous Communities to DGSCM through the data flow system. Different CCAAs they have sent information related to marine habitats 1170, 1180 and 8330: Cartography at the two projections (UTM and LAM) and information/data on habitat coverage as well as such as pressures, threats and conservation measures adopted. The cartographic results are set out in the text documents

The minimum surface area of the seabed area of subdivision SUD which has been subject to some form of the present assessment period is 237 km² and 1.68 % of the area covered by the subdivision. Commercial vessel anchoring is the one activity assessed (no disturbance associated with trawl fishing has been assessed) that may causing more disturbance to the seabed with an area of 163 km², even if a higher disturbed surface value corresponds to a low probability of disturbance. The ports of Cadiz and Huelva stand out with a moderate probability of disruption in large areas as well as the mouth of the Guadalquivir which constitutes the anchorage area the Port of Seville. This criterion has been analysed through the analysis of pressures caused by physical disturbance of the marine seabed (temporary or reversible), which can be found in document II of the South Atlantic subdivision strategy. These results are not considered to be complete, as this has not been done. Analysis of trawl fisheries is a very relevant factor for this criterion.

In the physical losses of marine substrate, the sealing of the seabed and the loss of substrate are considered. The seabed area of ​​the South Atlantic subdivision sealed during the current evaluation period is about 624,000 m2. The expansion of ports, mainly the ports of Huelva and Cádiz, is the activity that has produced the most sealing of the seabed. The surface of the seabed of the subdivision affected by the extraction and deposition of sediments during the present evaluation period is 1,233,499 m2. Port dredging works is the action that has affected the most sea surface. In the present evaluation period, no new beaches have been created in the subdivision. Thus, the physical losses of the marine substrate of the South Atlantic subdivision during the period 2011-2016 were 1,857,543 m2. 0.013% of the surface of the South Atlantic subdivision is affected by permanent physical alterations. For this criterion, the threshold value must be established through cooperation at the level of the European Union. This matter will be worked on through the recently constituted working group D6 of the COM, but at the moment no agreements have been reached. Therefore, there is no reference value to compare with, so a conclusion cannot be reached on the criterion, even though the value appears to be quite low. On the other hand, by referring only to the evaluation period 2011-2016, it does not address the total number of permanent physical disturbances previously existing. This criterion has been analyzed through the analysis of pressures due to physical losses (due to a permanent change of the substrate or the morphology of the seabed and the extraction of substrate from the seabed), which can be consulted in document II of the Marine Strategy South Atlantic.