ANS-EN-MS-MMN: Good environmental status is the combination of well-functioning marine ecosystems, their good health and the environmental sustainability of their use for human activities. The definition of good environmental status takes into account the existence of human activities at sea or on land that have an impact on the environment. As such, it is not a state unaffected by human activities, sometimes called "pristine". In defining good environmental status, certain contextual elements need to be taken into account. In addition to the existence of anthropogenic pressures, it is therefore necessary to consider their impacts on the environment, the long-term or short-term natural variability of ecosystems and their resilience, and global changes, in particular climate change. On the basis of the content elements of the Directive, France has chosen to define good environmental status as the long-term level of ambition for the environmental status of the marine environment, i.e. the acceptable level of impact of human activities on environmental status that does not affect the proper functioning of ecosystems. The methodology for defining good environmental status distinguishes between two bases: 1: the description of the Good Environmental Status at the level of descriptors and, where appropriate, at the level of criteria. 2: the characterization of the Good Environmental Status, which includes several elements: - the identification of "units of assessment" and relevant scales ; - definition of the method for identifying issue areas/characteristic areas ; - The development of indicators to judge the achievement of the EEB for the marine environment, based on the above choices; - the definition of levels/thresholds/trends associated with these indicators and the setting of these levels/thresholds/trends; - the development of an intra-descriptor aggregation method. It should be noted that the proper functioning of an ecosystem is a scientific concept, based on an ecosystem approach, which can be qualified or even quantified, in some cases today, in other cases in the future, subject to further studies, research and data acquisition. This definition will have to be revised every 6 years on the basis of new knowledge and data and will have to take into account the evolution of anthropogenic pressures and global changes. The effects of climate change are being felt on the marine environment and its functioning: they will be taken into account in the revision of the definition of Good Environmental Status as part of the context.

ANS-EN-MS-MMN: Good environmental status is the combination of well-functioning marine ecosystems, their good health and the environmental sustainability of their use for human activities. The definition of good environmental status takes into account the existence of human activities at sea or on land that have an impact on the environment. As such, it is not a state unaffected by human activities, sometimes called "pristine". In defining good environmental status, certain contextual elements need to be taken into account. In addition to the existence of anthropogenic pressures, it is therefore necessary to consider their impacts on the environment, the long-term or short-term natural variability of ecosystems and their resilience, and global changes, in particular climate change. On the basis of the content elements of the Directive, France has chosen to define good environmental status as the long-term level of ambition for the environmental status of the marine environment, i.e. the acceptable level of impact of human activities on environmental status that does not affect the proper functioning of ecosystems. The methodology for defining good environmental status distinguishes between two bases: 1: the description of the Good Environmental Status at the level of descriptors and, where appropriate, at the level of criteria. 2: the characterization of the Good Environmental Status, which includes several elements: - the identification of "units of assessment" and relevant scales ; - definition of the method for identifying issue areas/characteristic areas ; - The development of indicators to judge the achievement of the EEB for the marine environment, based on the above choices; - the definition of levels/thresholds/trends associated with these indicators and the setting of these levels/thresholds/trends; - the development of an intra-descriptor aggregation method. It should be noted that the proper functioning of an ecosystem is a scientific concept, based on an ecosystem approach, which can be qualified or even quantified, in some cases today, in other cases in the future, subject to further studies, research and data acquisition. This definition will have to be revised every 6 years on the basis of new knowledge and data and will have to take into account the evolution of anthropogenic pressures and global changes. The effects of climate change are being felt on the marine environment and its functioning: they will be taken into account in the revision of the definition of Good Environmental Status as part of the context.

ANS-EN-MS-MMN: Good environmental status is the combination of well-functioning marine ecosystems, their good health and the environmental sustainability of their use for human activities. The definition of good environmental status takes into account the existence of human activities at sea or on land that have an impact on the environment. As such, it is not a state unaffected by human activities, sometimes called "pristine". In defining good environmental status, certain contextual elements need to be taken into account. In addition to the existence of anthropogenic pressures, it is therefore necessary to consider their impacts on the environment, the long-term or short-term natural variability of ecosystems and their resilience, and global changes, in particular climate change. On the basis of the content elements of the Directive, France has chosen to define good environmental status as the long-term level of ambition for the environmental status of the marine environment, i.e. the acceptable level of impact of human activities on environmental status that does not affect the proper functioning of ecosystems. The methodology for defining good environmental status distinguishes between two bases: 1: the description of the Good Environmental Status at the level of descriptors and, where appropriate, at the level of criteria. 2: the characterization of the Good Environmental Status, which includes several elements: - the identification of "units of assessment" and relevant scales ; - definition of the method for identifying issue areas/characteristic areas ; - The development of indicators to judge the achievement of the EEB for the marine environment, based on the above choices; - the definition of levels/thresholds/trends associated with these indicators and the setting of these levels/thresholds/trends; - the development of an intra-descriptor aggregation method. It should be noted that the proper functioning of an ecosystem is a scientific concept, based on an ecosystem approach, which can be qualified or even quantified, in some cases today, in other cases in the future, subject to further studies, research and data acquisition. This definition will have to be revised every 6 years on the basis of new knowledge and data and will have to take into account the evolution of anthropogenic pressures and global changes. The effects of climate change are being felt on the marine environment and its functioning: they will be taken into account in the revision of the definition of Good Environmental Status as part of the context.

ANS-EN-MS-MMN: Good environmental status is the combination of well-functioning marine ecosystems, their good health and the environmental sustainability of their use for human activities. The definition of good environmental status takes into account the existence of human activities at sea or on land that have an impact on the environment. As such, it is not a state unaffected by human activities, sometimes called "pristine". In defining good environmental status, certain contextual elements need to be taken into account. In addition to the existence of anthropogenic pressures, it is therefore necessary to consider their impacts on the environment, the long-term or short-term natural variability of ecosystems and their resilience, and global changes, in particular climate change. On the basis of the content elements of the Directive, France has chosen to define good environmental status as the long-term level of ambition for the environmental status of the marine environment, i.e. the acceptable level of impact of human activities on environmental status that does not affect the proper functioning of ecosystems. The methodology for defining good environmental status distinguishes between two bases: 1: the description of the Good Environmental Status at the level of descriptors and, where appropriate, at the level of criteria. 2: the characterization of the Good Environmental Status, which includes several elements: - the identification of "units of assessment" and relevant scales ; - definition of the method for identifying issue areas/characteristic areas ; - The development of indicators to judge the achievement of the EEB for the marine environment, based on the above choices; - the definition of levels/thresholds/trends associated with these indicators and the setting of these levels/thresholds/trends; - the development of an intra-descriptor aggregation method. It should be noted that the proper functioning of an ecosystem is a scientific concept, based on an ecosystem approach, which can be qualified or even quantified, in some cases today, in other cases in the future, subject to further studies, research and data acquisition. This definition will have to be revised every 6 years on the basis of new knowledge and data and will have to take into account the evolution of anthropogenic pressures and global changes. The effects of climate change are being felt on the marine environment and its functioning: they will be taken into account in the revision of the definition of Good Environmental Status as part of the context.

Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, with a population distribution by age and size that reflects the good health of the stock.

Good environmental status is achieved when the following conditions are cumulatively met : - all stocks assessed must have a fishing mortality less than or equal to the fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield with a 50% probability. In the absence of an estimate of the probability of reaching the target, and when an interval around the target value is defined, the value of fishing mortality estimated for that stock must be within that interval. The value of F must be less than or equal to FPA, which determines the biological safety zone of the stock; - all other stocks have a ratio between catch and biomass index showing a stable or decreasing trend.

Good environmental status for the marine sub-region shall be achieved when the following conditions are cumulatively met: - all stocks assessed must have a spawning biomass level greater than or equal to the MSY-Btrigger level, below which the stock is considered to be outside the range of biomasses associated with maximum sustainable yield, with a probability of 50%; - all other stocks have a spawning biomass index showing a stable or positive trend.

Good ecological status is achieved when the size and age distribution of the stock reflects its good health.

Aggregation is not relevant at the descriptor level. Evaluation will be done at the criteria level.

At stock level, the indicators related to criterion 3.1 that are relevant for characterising good ecological status are defined as follows: Indicator 3.1.1 Fishing mortality [F]. This indicator is calculated for category 1 and 2 stocks (as defined in Annex 2 of the Order of 17 December 2012 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters). Fishing mortality (F) gives an estimate of the fishing pressure on a stock. It is estimated directly when the diagnosis carried out on the stock uses a quantitative model, either analytical (structured in ages - or sizes -) or global (based on the evolution of the total biomass as a function of the catches). For category 1, the estimate is absolute, for category 2 it is relative. The level characterising good environmental status is the fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield (MSY), as defined in the Community rules in force or, if this precautionary threshold is available, the ratio ASF/1.6. Indicator 3.1.2 Ratio between catches and biomass index. This indicator is calculated for category 3 stocks. The ratio between catches and biomass index is an approximation of fishing mortality and its evolution makes it possible to reflect the trend in terms of fishing pressure. The biomass index is derived from a scientific survey (or a combination of surveys) covering the whole stock. In the absence of surveys, an index resulting from the analysis of commercial yields could be considered. The catches to be taken into account are international catches at stock level. A stable (in the case of a long period) or declining trend over the whole period characterises good ecological status. Aggregation at the level of criterion 3.1 shall be carried out according to the following rules. Good environmental status for the Marine Sub-Region is achieved when the following conditions are cumulatively met : - all stocks in categories 1 and 2 must have a fishing mortality less than or equal to the level defined above with a probability of 50%. In the absence of an estimate of the probability of reaching the target, and when an interval around the target value is defined, the value of fishing mortality estimated for that stock must be within that interval. The value of F must be less than or equal to FPA which determines the biological safety zone of the stock; - for all stocks in category 3, indicator 3.1.2 shows a stable or negative trend.

At stock level, the indicators related to criterion 3.2 that are relevant for characterising good ecological status are defined as follows: Indicator 3.2.1 Spawning stock biomass [SSB] (for category 1 stocks). The level characterising good ecological status is the spawning biomass MSYBtrigger, the threshold below which the stock is considered to be outside the range of biomass associated with maximum sustainable yield, as defined in current Community regulations or, if not defined, the so-called precautionary spawning biomass (GAP). Indicator 3.2.2 Spawning stock biomass index (for category 2 and 3 stocks). A stable (if long term) or increasing trend over the whole period characterizes good ecological status. Aggregation at the level of criterion 3.2 shall be carried out according to the following rules. Good environmental status for the Marine Sub-Region is achieved when the following conditions are cumulatively met : - all stocks in category 1 must have a level of spawning biomass greater than or equal to the level defined above, with a probability of 50%; - for all stocks in categories 2 and 3, indicator 3.2.2 shows a stable or positive trend.

At stock level, the indicators related to criterion 3.3 that are relevant for characterising good ecological status are defined as follows: Indicator 3.3.1 Proportion of fish larger than average size at first sexual maturation. The indicator will be, for each stock considered, expressed as a percentage calculated on the biomass, in order, by giving more weight to the oldest individuals, to limit the noise linked to variations in recruitment. Depending on the data available, the indicator is either directly available or to be estimated by comparing the size structures with the maturity parameters (L50: length at which 50% of the individuals are mature) available elsewhere for this stock. Indicator 3.3.3 Quantity 95% of the size distribution of fish. This indicator can be calculated for each stock under consideration based on the population size structure. Aggregation at the level of criterion 3.3 remains to be defined.

See criteria 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3.

The indicators related to criterion 3.1 are operational.

The indicators related to criterion 3.2 are operational.

The levels and trends corresponding to good environmental status will be specified for the indicators associated with criterion 3.3 following further studies, as provided for in Article 4 of the Order of 17 December 2012 on the definition of good environmental status of marine waters. These elements will be developed with a view to updating the definition of good environmental status by 2018.