In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (22% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (78% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (22% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (78% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (22% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (78% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (22% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (78% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (22% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (78% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (22% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (78% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (22% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (78% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. For example, 51% of the area of offshore circalittoral coarse sediment habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 54% of the area of "Heterogeneous offshore circalittoral sediment" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 64% of the area of "offshore circalittoral mud flats" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 68% of the area of offshore circalittoral sands habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Gulf of Gas marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They each represent less than 12% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures related to a change in the nature of the bottom and turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (97% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for the change in background are mostly low (>96% of the MRU), and higher for the change in turbidity regime in the coastal MRU (14% of the area of the MRU is subject to an average exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Gulf of Gas marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They each represent less than 12% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures related to a change in the nature of the bottom and turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (97% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for the change in background are mostly low (>96% of the MRU), and higher for the change in turbidity regime in the coastal MRU (14% of the area of the MRU is subject to an average exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Gulf of Gas marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They each represent less than 12% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures related to a change in the nature of the bottom and turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (97% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for the change in background are mostly low (>96% of the MRU), and higher for the change in turbidity regime in the coastal MRU (14% of the area of the MRU is subject to an average exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Gulf of Gas marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They each represent less than 12% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures related to a change in the nature of the bottom and turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (97% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for the change in background are mostly low (>96% of the MRU), and higher for the change in turbidity regime in the coastal MRU (14% of the area of the MRU is subject to an average exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Gulf of Gas marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They each represent less than 12% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures related to a change in the nature of the bottom and turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (97% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for the change in background are mostly low (>96% of the MRU), and higher for the change in turbidity regime in the coastal MRU (14% of the area of the MRU is subject to an average exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Gulf of Gas marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They each represent less than 12% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures related to a change in the nature of the bottom and turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (97% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for the change in background are mostly low (>96% of the MRU), and higher for the change in turbidity regime in the coastal MRU (14% of the area of the MRU is subject to an average exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures related to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Gulf of Gas marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They each represent less than 12% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures related to a change in the nature of the bottom and turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (97% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for the change in background are mostly low (>96% of the MRU), and higher for the change in turbidity regime in the coastal MRU (14% of the area of the MRU is subject to an average exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the "Coastal Circumpolar Coarse Sediment" habitat presents a large area (82% of the MRU) subject to a medium risk and 2% to a high risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 84% of the surface area of the "Coastal Circumferential Heterogeneous Sediment" habitat appears to be subject to a medium risk and 3% to a high risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 76% of the "Coastal Circumvalittoral Mudflats" habitat area appears to be subject to a medium risk and 1% to a high risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 73% of the surface area of the "Coastal Circumpolar Biogenic Rocks and Reefs" habitat appears to be at medium risk and 2% at high risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 79% of the area of "Coastal Circalittoral Sand" habitat appears to be at medium risk and 1% at high risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the " infralittoral coarse sediment " habitat presents a high risk area of 7% of the total habitat area.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the "mixed infralittoral sediment" habitat presents one of the largest areas at high risk, with 33% of the total habitat area at high risk, and 33% at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the " infralittoral mud " habitat presents the largest area at high risk, with 44% of the total area of habitat subject to a high risk, and 17% subject to a medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the "Infralittoral rock and biogenic reef" habitat presents a large area at high risk (19% of the total habitat area), and a larger area at medium risk (54% of the MRU).

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, " infralittoral sands " habitat presents a high-risk area of 9% of the total habitat area, and a medium-risk area of 54% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, all of the "offshore circalittoral coarse sediment" habitat appears to be at medium risk (100% of the total area of habitat in the MRU).

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 82% of the area of "offshore circalittoral mud flats" habitat appears to be at medium risk and 9% at high risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. For example, the "Offshore Circumpolar Biogenic Rocks and Reefs" habitat presents a large area at medium risk with 71% of the total habitat area at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They represent less than 1% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures linked to a change in the nature of the bottom and the turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (100% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (>99% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They represent less than 1% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures linked to a change in the nature of the bottom and the turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (100% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (>99% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They represent less than 1% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures linked to a change in the nature of the bottom and the turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (100% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (>99% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They represent less than 1% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures linked to a change in the nature of the bottom and the turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (100% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (>99% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They represent less than 1% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures linked to a change in the nature of the bottom and the turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (100% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (>99% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They represent less than 1% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures linked to a change in the nature of the bottom and the turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (100% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (>99% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in the current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, salinity and thermal regime. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the northern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region) and fairly localised since they mainly affect coastal waters. They represent less than 1% of the area of this MRU. It should also be noted that the exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Pressures linked to a change in the nature of the bottom and the turbidity regime potentially affect a very large area (100% of the MRU). The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low (>99% of the area of the MRU is subject to a low exposure index). Finally, pressures related to a change in the thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 93% of the area of "Coastal circalittoral coarse sediment" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 87% of the surface area of the "Coastal circalittoral mixed sediment" habitat appears to be subject to a medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 96% of the surface area of the "Coastal circalittoral mud flats" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 70% of the surface area of the "Coastal circalittoral biogenic rocks and reefs" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Ninety-two percent of the area of "Coastal circalittoral sands" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the "Heterogeneous subtidal sediment" habitat presents the largest area affected with the totality subject to a high risk, i.e. 100% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the " infralittoral biogenic rocks and reefs " habitat appears to be entirely at medium risk (100% of the total habitat area).

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. For example, 79% of the area of offshore circalittoral coarse sediment habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 90% of the area of "mixed offshore circalittoral sediment" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 83% of the area of "offshore circalittoral mud flats" habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 34% of the area of "offshore circalittoral biogenic rocks and reefs" habitat appears to be at medium risk and 66% at low risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 87% of the area of offshore circalittoral sands habitat appears to be at medium risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, thermal and salinity regimes. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the southern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (20% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Finally, pressures related to a change in thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, thermal and salinity regimes. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the southern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (20% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Finally, pressures related to a change in thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, thermal and salinity regimes. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the southern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (20% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Finally, pressures related to a change in thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, thermal and salinity regimes. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the southern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (20% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Finally, pressures related to a change in thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, thermal and salinity regimes. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the southern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (20% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Finally, pressures related to a change in thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, thermal and salinity regimes. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the southern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (20% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Finally, pressures related to a change in thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017) no threshold is to be specified for D7C1: the status of the D7C1 criterion is therefore not reported. However, the assessment of the D7C1 criterion has provided a first estimate of the exposure indices for spatial areas potentially affected by a change in current, tidal, wave, bottom nature, turbidity, thermal and salinity regimes. Indeed, the results show that the pressures linked to a change in the current, tidal and wave regime are relatively low (< 1% of the southern subdivision of the Bay of Biscay marine sub-region). They do not affect the wide area and therefore represent 0% of the area of this MRU. Pressures related to a change in bottom nature and turbidity regime potentially affect a relatively small area (20% of the MRU), so the offshore area is the least affected. The exposure indices calculated for these pressures are mostly low. Finally, pressures related to a change in thermal and salinity regime affect less than 1% of the MRU.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, the coastal circalittoral sands habitat is entirely at low risk (100% of the total habitat area).

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. For example, 70% of the area of offshore circalittoral coarse sediment habitat appears to be at medium risk and 30% at low risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 77% of the area of "offshore circalittoral mud flats" habitat appears to be at medium risk and 23% at low risk.

In accordance with the advice given in Guidance 14 (Walmsley, S.F., Weiss, A., Claussen, U., Connor, D. 2017 Guidance for Assessments Under Article 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Integration of assessment results. ABPmer Report No R.2733, produced for the European Commission, DG Environment, February 2017), the D7C2 assessment must be carried out for each habitat type that is affected by changing hydrographic conditions and the D7C2 results are not integrated. On the other hand, no threshold has been defined so far for the parameter "Extent" and therefore the status of D7C2 is not reported, but the assessment of D7C2 has provided a first estimate of the spatial extent of benthic habitats potentially subject to cumulative risks of alteration, based on the indices of exposure to hydrographic pressures generated by human activities. Thus, 53% of the area of offshore circalittoral sands habitat appears to be at medium risk and 47% at low risk.