The environmental objectives are developed in association with the stakeholders concerned within the maritime frontier councils. They respond to the environmental issues identified on the basis of the initial assessment of the marine environment, with regard to the objective of good environmental status. The environmental challenges were identified in order to take into account the absence, in 2012, of an assessment of whether or not good environmental status has been achieved in the initial assessment, linked to the simulated timetable for drawing up the first three elements of the action plans for the marine environment. The environmental issues have been identified in relation to the following criteria: - Presence of species, groups of species or habitats with a particular role in ecosystem functioning, either by their abundance or their key role in the food web (spawning grounds, nursery, etc.). ), habitats with high biodiversity (e.g. engineering species), habitats with high endemism (e.g., the Mediterranean Sea), and habitats with a high level of endemism (e.g., the Mediterranean Sea): and/or the presence of sensitive or vulnerable species, groups of species or habitats; - and/or the presence of vulnerable species, groups of species or habitats subject to strong pressure to which they are sensitive; - and/or presence of species, groups of species or habitats of heritage importance (notion of common heritage, symbolic value, cultural value, emblematic species or habitat); - and/or presence of species, or groups of species, intended for human consumption; - and/or existence of strong pressures and strong ecological impacts, whether proven or anticipated. The development of environmental objectives shall take into account existing or planned environmental regulations and objectives already contributing to the maintenance or achievement of good environmental status in the marine environment. They shall be included as environmental objectives in the Marine Environmental Action Plan, where relevant. Economic and social considerations, identified on the basis of the information available in the initial assessment and through the association (in particular socio-professional representatives, local authorities), shall also be taken into account. Finally, consistency is more particularly sought with the environmental objectives of the neighbouring marine sub-regions, Celtic Seas, Channel - North Sea and the Member States bordering the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region. Taking into account the evolving nature of the available data and knowledge, but also the need to take greater account of economic and social considerations in the development of measures by 2015, the environmental objectives defined in 2012 are mainly qualitative. They will be specified and complemented by 2015 by operational environmental objectives (development of the programme of measures). The environmental objectives include : - general environmental objectives referring to an environmental issue identified on the basis of the initial assessment of the marine environment, - specific environmental objectives, which specify the general objectives by providing, where the level of knowledge allows, additional information (pressure, source of pressure, ecosystem component or geographical area concerned).

Reducing at source the quantities of waste at sea and on the coast

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