MWE-EN-MS-MO: Good environmental status is the good functioning of 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 GES of 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.

MWE-EN-MS-MO: Good environmental status is the good functioning of 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 GES of 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.

MWE-EN-MS-MO: Good environmental status is the good functioning of 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 GES of 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.

MWE-EN-MS-MO: Good environmental status is the good functioning of 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 GES of 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.

Le bon état écologique est atteint lorsque les conditions ci-après sont cumulativement respectées : - le taux d’emprise et l’intensité des pressions physiques exercées sur le fond ne dépassent pas les niveaux présentés à l’annexe 2 de l'arrêté du 17 décembre 2012 relatif à la définition du bon état écologique des eaux marines ; - les pressions physiques exercées sur le fond n’engendrent pas d’impacts significatifs sur la richesse spécifique, l’abondance et la biomasse des espèces ingénieures, porteuses de biodiversité, identifiées par les descripteurs 1 (biodiversité) et 4 (réseau trophique marin) ; - les pressions physiques exercées sur le fond n’engendrent pas d’impacts significatifs sur l’état de la communauté benthique.

Good ecological status is achieved when the spatial distributions of naturally occurring habitats are adapted to existing natural environmental conditions and when spatial and functional connectivity is maintained, especially for species habitats.

Good ecological status is achieved when the spatial distributions of naturally occurring habitats are adapted to existing natural environmental conditions and when spatial and functional connectivity is maintained, especially for species habitats.

Good ecological status is achieved when the quality of basic habitats, described by biotic (such as the specific composition and abundance of the naturally associated biological community) and abiotic (structural and environmental conditions) parameters, is at a sufficient level to ensure the integrity of naturally associated ecological functions.

The indicators related to criterion 6.1 that are relevant for characterising good ecological status are defined as follows : Indicator 6.1.1 Type, abundance, biomass and extent of the biogenic substrate of concern. The indicator consists of the percentage of surface area occupied by biogenic substrates on which anthropogenic pressures such as physical loss or damage act, in relation to the total surface area occupied by these habitats. The biogenic substrates concerned are those carrying or consisting of ingenious species. An ingenious species is a species that, through its natural activity, changes the environment in which it lives and creates a new environment that is specific to it. Indicator 6.1.2 Extent of seabed significantly disturbed by human activities for different types of substrates. The indicator consists of the seabed surface under the influence of anthropogenic pressure such as physical loss or damage, taking into account the cumulative or opposing effects of different sources of pressure where appropriate. This area shall be related to the area of the ecosystem compartments considered and to the total area of the marine sub-region, weighted, where appropriate, according to the intensity and frequency of application of the sources of pressure, the hydrodynamic context at the place and time of application and the biological importance (biodiversity and functioning) of the habitats impacted.

At the habitat level, the indicators related to criterion 1.4 that are relevant for characterising good ecological status are defined as follows : Indicator 1.4.1: Range of habitats. The natural range of a habitat can be considered as the envelope of surfaces that are actually occupied. This area is not static and may vary over time, but mainly in response to climate change. This indicator is not relevant for benthic habitats. Indicator 1.4.2: Habitat distribution pattern. This indicator can correspond, depending on the scale: - to distribution patterns, at the scale of a range; - to fragmentation rates (as a function of surface and perimeter parameters), at the scale of a basic habitat. Fragmentation includes any artificial phenomenon of spatial fragmentation, which can or could prevent one or more living species from moving as they should and could in the absence of a fragmentation factor.

At the habitat level, the indicators related to criterion 1.5 that are relevant for characterising good ecological status are defined as follows : Indicator 1.5.1: Habitat area. This quantitative indicator is the area covered by a habitat, the spatial resolution of which must implicitly be finer than that of the range. This surface is not static and may vary over time, in the more or less short term, depending on natural or anthropogenic disturbances. It is relevant to benthic habitats. Indicator 1.5.2: Volume of habitat. It is relevant for characterizing the extent of pelagic (depth), benthic unconsolidated (sediment thickness) or rocky/biogenic (structural complexity: boulders, cracks, etc.) habitats. This indicator corresponds to quantitative parameters, on a variable spatial scale, depending on the habitat under consideration.

At the habitat level, the indicators related to criterion 1.6 that are relevant for characterising good ecological status are defined as follows : Indicator 1.6.1: Status of typical species and communities. Indicator 1.6.2: relative abundance and/or biomass. This indicator corresponds to quantitative parameters, the relevance of which is linked to the developments of indicator 1.6.1 and other descriptors (including descriptors 2 - non-native species - and 4 - food webs -). Indicator 1.6.3: Physical, hydrological and chemical conditions.

The indicators associated with criterion 6.2, as well as the levels and trends corresponding to good environmental status for criteria 6.1 and 6.2, and the rules for aggregation at criteria and descriptor level will be specified, where appropriate, 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.

The parameters associated with the indicators, as well as the levels and trends corresponding to good environmental status and that the aggregation rules at criterion level will be specified for the indicators associated with criterion 1.4 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.

The parameters associated with the indicators, as well as the levels and trends corresponding to good environmental status and that the aggregation rules at criterion level will be specified for the indicators associated with criterion 1.5 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.

The parameters associated with the indicators, as well as the levels and trends corresponding to good environmental status and that the aggregation rules at criterion level will be specified for the indicators associated with criterion 1.6 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.