The measure refers to the human activities in the marine environment mentioned/listed in art. 8 of Directive 2014/89/EU establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning. The measure does not cover military activities. The measure implementation involves preparatory activities for amending/adapting national legislation if necessary, public and sectoral consultations, and legislation adaptation.

The measure was jointly developed by Romania and Bulgaria under the project ""Technical and administrative support for the joint implementation of the Framework Directive"" Strategy for the Marine Environment ""in Bulgaria and Romania - Phase 2"". This measure is aimed at creating a coherent and representative network, common / combined, of Marine Protected Areas in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Romania and Bulgaria. 'Coherent' and 'Representative' refer to Article 13 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Consistency could mean that there should be a connection between the physical conditions of the environment (wind, sea currents) and habitats. 'Representative' could mean that all major habitat types are protected (both coastal and offshore habitats should be included). The measure aims to improve the marine environment and increase the control of regulated activities that could affect the ecosystems of Marine Protected Areas. A Working Group should set out the criteria for defining the network and recommend actions for its implementation. The measure requires the following actions: 1. Investigate the current distribution of Marine Protected Areas, coherence and representativeness 2. Control of regulated activities in or near Marine Areas

The measure refers to the need to create physical connections between habitats and protected species whose reproductive cycle or feeding behaviour involves the movement between habitats located at a distance from each other, physically separated by areas where they do not benefit from protection. The implementation of the measure involves the following actions: studies on habitats and species identification that should benefit from the creation of ecological corridors; studies on the technical and economic possibilities of creating corridors; consultation of stakeholders and starting the procedures for delimitation and establishment of ecological corridors.

This measure involves the development of a management tool to anticipate risks for the protection and conservation of habitats in protected areas, considering socio-economic activities with potential negative impact on them, given the location of protected areas in the coastal area, heavily anthropized. The implementation of the measure involves the following actions: 1. Identifying socio-economic activities with direct, indirect and cumulative impact on protected habitats; 2. Classification of habitats according to their sensitivity and vulnerability to potential adverse effects; 3. Use of modeling software (eg Marxan) to estimate / quantify risks and make the best management decisions for activities with a negative impact.

The measure aims to reduce the level of noise produced by the engines of recreational and fishing vessels / vessels, especially those sailing in protected marine areas, but also by commercial vessels and port service providers.