# ART10_Targets_Target

Description:
Efforts are undertaken to detect the occurrence of new NIS in defined assessment areas and to address gaps in knowledge on non-indigenous species, particularly invasive NIS.


Description:
Efforts are undertaken, through implementation of conservation measures or existing permitting and licensing procedures, to ensure maintenance of the distributional range and extent of selected habitat types in selected areas.


Description:
Species composition and/or abundance associated with selected marine habitats is stable over a period of time (to be identified) or is indicative of good status, based on definition of status through the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.


Description:
Health status of seagrass meadows is maintained


Description:
Benthic habitats affected by currently regulated anthropogenic activities show signs of recovery.


Description:
Maintaining and enforcing regulations governing Fishing activities within the Fisheries Management Zone


Description:
Localised or sensitive marine habitats are afforded legal protection by 2025


Description:
Long-term data on nutrient levels in the marine environment, or on direct or indirect effects of nutrient enrichment (as relevant), in relation to the main sources of nutrient input, is indicative of the effectiveness of existing mechanisms addressing nutrient input in the marine environment.


Description:
Changes in hydrographical conditions from large-scale development proposals are adequately assessed through existing permitting and licensing procedures in line with the parameters stipulated by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive


Description:
Efforts are undertaken to improve current level of knowledge on marine litter in Malta.


Description:
To work towards building capacity in the field of underwater noise through inter alia knowledge gain on key species groups which may be adversely affected by this pressure and streamlining of MSFD requirements in terms of underwater noise in licensing and permitting procedures.


Description:
Evaluate effectiveness of current measures in relation to non-indigenous species, in the light of increasing knowledge on such species through proposed interim MSFD target to address current knowledge gaps, and take such measures further if necessary.


Description:
Long-term monitoring of selected contaminants is indicative of acceptable levels of contaminants, with no deterioration trends for non-synthetic and synthetic contaminants in relevant matrices.


Description:
Achieve better understanding of sea-based sources of pollution, through a risk assessment of potential contributions of maritime sectors to contamination in the marine environment, also taking into consideration current measures pursuant to international maritime policies and agreements.


Description:
Setting up a system for collecting, recording and reporting information on significant pollution incidents in line with the requirements of the MSFD, with a view to better understand significance and trends, and to inform any necessary response (strategic as well as incident-related).


Description:
To strengthen knowledge on the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus Delphinus delphis and Stenella coeruleoalba in Malta, and on interactions of these species with human activities, with a view to contribute to the regional conservation of marine mammals in the long-term.


Description:
To ensure systematic collection of records of turtle by-catch by the Maltese registered fishing fleet and of data on mortality rate of landed turtles.


Description:
Management and monitoring of fishing activities result in a sustainable fishing effort over time, in line with the measures put forward in Malta’s Fisheries Management Plans, with a view to ensure sustainability of the stocks targeted by Maltese fisheries.


Description:
To ensure better use of fishery independent data in analysis of fish populations.


Description:
Species composition and/or abundance of demersal fish and demersal elasmobranchs associated with shelf and upper bathyal sublittoral sediments is stable over a period of time.


Description:
To strengthen knowledge via updated data on key characteristics of the water column, including plankton communities, that would enable Malta to further develop definition of this habitat type in line with the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.


Description:
Efforts are undertaken to control the population of the yellow-legged gull on the islet of Filfa


Description:
Efforts are undertaken to reduce current levels of pressures originating from light pollution and predation by rats in areas to be selected


Description:
Marine SPAs are designated within the framework of the Birds Directive to include marine areas used by seabirds throughout their lifecycle


Description:
Efforts are undertaken, through conservation measures or existing permitting and licensing procedures, to ensure that the distributional range of breeding sites of Puffinus yelkouan, Calonectris diomedea and Hydrobates pelagicus is stable, with no loss of breeding sites due to anthropogenic disturbance.


Description:
Population abundance of breeding seabirds is stable over a period of twelve years, taking into consideration the natural variability of the species population and their ecology


Description:
Long-line fisheries are adequately using mitigation measures aimed at reducing seabird by-catch


# ART9_GES_GESDetermination

GESDescription:
The natural range and extent of marine habitats and species are stable, or otherwise in line with the physiographic and climatic conditions, taking into consideration the sustainable use of the marine environment..


GESDescription:
Biological communities (assessed at relevant scales) are indicative of either undisturbed conditions or of slight or localised changes associated with nutrient enrichment..


GESDescription:
GES is a qualitative description of the desired status at the habitat and species level. Statements describing this GES are being defined for specific MSFD criteria..


GESDescription:
The amount of marine litter entering the marine environment shows a declining trend over time..


GESDescription:
Adverse effects of underwater noise on key species groups are minimised to the extent possible..


GESDescription:
The population abundance of key marine species is stable and their population dynamics are indicative of long-term viability..


GESDescription:
The structure and function of marine habitats ensure their long-term viability.


GESDescription:
The introduction and establishment of new invasive non-indigenous species as a result of human activities is in so far as practicable prevented..


GESDescription:
Sustainable exploitation of fish stocks as indicated by the population age and size distribution of selected commercial species is achieved through effective management and monitoring of fishing effort.


GESDescription:
Sustainable exploitation of fish stocks as indicated by the population age and size distribution of selected commercial species is achieved through effective management and monitoring of fishing effo.


GESDescription:
The proposed GES attempts to address the criteria/indicators collectively, with the broad aim of safeguarding functions of marine ecosystems from the adverse effects of eutrophication. Parameters or indicators which will be used for assessing progress towards achieving this GES should be selected on the basis of a risk-based approach..


GESDescription:
Nutrient levels (or ratios as applicable) and chlorophyll-a levels in the marine environment do not depart significantly from natural levels of the Mediterranean Sea..


GESDescription:
GES is a qualitative description of the desired status at the habitat level. Statements describing this GES are associated with specific MSFD criteria for Descriptor 6..


GESDescription:
The long-term viability of key marine habitats is not compromised by anthropogenic pressures and impacts.


GESDescription:
Significant adverse effects of permanent alterations of hydrographical conditions on key marine habitats and species are, in so far as practicable prevented or minimised to the extent possible..


GESDescription:
GES is a description of the desired status in terms of concentration of contaminants in the marine environment and in terms of significant pollution events. Statements describing this GES are associated with specific MSFD criteria and/or indicators as applicable..


GESDescription:
Concentration of selected contaminants in relevant matrices is in line with set environmental quality standards, or otherwise in line with undisturbed conditions..


GESDescription:
Contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption do not exceed levels established by Community legislation or other relevant standards..


# CostOfDegradationType

CostOfDegradationType:
Residual impacts, with reference to the current legislation objectives


# ElementCodeSources

Link:
Link to other vocabulary or code lists that may be relevant


Conditional:
Eutrophication (D5) and contaminants (D8-D9)


# Features

Subject:
Uses and human activities in or affecting the marine environment


Feature:
All activities related to cultivation of living resources


Feature:
Aquaculture – marine, including infrastructure


Feature:
All activities related to extraction of living resources


Feature:
Fish and shellfish harvesting (professional, recreational)


Feature:
Hunting and collecting for other purposes


Feature:
All activities related to extraction of non-living resources


Feature:
Extraction of minerals (rock, metal ores, gravel, sand, shell)


Feature:
Extraction of oil and gas, including infrastructure


Feature:
Military operations (subject to Article 2(2))


Feature:
All activities related to production of energy


Feature:
Transmission of electricity and communications (cables)


Feature:
Renewable energy generation (wind, wave and tidal power), including infrastructure


Feature:
Research, survey and educational activities


Feature:
All activities related to physical restructuring of rivers, coastline or seabed

Theme:
Physical restructuring of rivers, coastline or seabed (water management)


Feature:
Canalisation and other watercourse modifications


Feature:
Offshore structures (other than for oil/gas/renewables)


Feature:
Restructuring of seabed morphology, including dredging and depositing of materials


Feature:
All activities related to tourism and leisure


Subject:
Structure, functions and processes of marine ecosystems


Feature:
All ecosystem services related to provision of energy


Feature:
All ecosystem services related to mediation of flows


Feature:
Mass stabilisation and control of erosion rates


Theme:
Underpinning and/or enhancing physical and intellectual interactions


Feature:
All ecosystem services underpinning physical and intellectual interactions


Feature:
Experiential use of plants, animals and land-/seascapes in different environmental settings


Feature:
Physical use of land-/seascapes in different environmental settings


Feature:
All ecosystem services underpinning spiritual, symbolic and other interactions

Theme:
Underpinning and/or enhancing spiritual, symbolic and other interactions


Feature:
All ecosystem services related to maintenance of physical, chemical and biological conditions

Theme:
Maintenance of physical, chemical, biological conditions


Feature:
Global climate regulation by reduction of greenhouse gas concentrations

Sub-theme:
Atmospheric composition and climate regulation


Sub-theme:
Lifecycle maintenance, habitat and gene pool protection


Feature:
Maintaining Nursery Populations and Habitats


Feature:
Materials from plants, algae and animals for agricultural use


Feature:
All ecosystem services related to provision of materials


Feature:
Fibres and other materials from plants, algae and animals for direct use or processing


Feature:
All ecosystem services related to nutrition


Feature:
All ecosystem services related to mediation of waste, toxics and other nuisances

Theme:
Mediation of waste, toxics and other nuisances


Feature:
Filtration/sequestration/storage/accumulation by micro-organisms, algae, plants, and animals


Feature:
Bio-remediation by micro-organisms, algae, plants, and animals


Feature:
Commercially exploited fish and shellfish


Feature:
Offshore circalittoral rock and biogenic reef


Feature:
All physical and hydrological characteristics


Subject:
Anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment


Feature:
Loss of, or change to, natural biological communities due to cultivation of animal or plant species


Feature:
Disturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence


Feature:
Extraction of, or mortality/injury to, wild species (by commercial and recreational fishing and other activities)


Feature:
Input of genetically modified species and translocation of native species


Feature:
Input or spread of non-indigenous species


Subject:
Pressure levels and impacts in marine environment


Feature:
All pressures related to inputs of substances, litter and energy


Feature:
Input of other substances (e.g. synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) – diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition, acute events


Feature:
Input of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)


Feature:
Input of nutrients – diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition


Feature:
Input of organic matter – diffuse sources and point sources


Feature:
Input of other forms of energy (including electromagnetic fields, light and heat)


Feature:
Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous)


Feature:
Input of water – point sources (e.g. brine)


# GESComponents

Description:
Area covered by the species (for sessile/benthic species)


Description:
Mean maximum length across all species found in research vessel surveys


Description:
Nutrient ratios (silica, nitrogen and phosphorus)


Description:
Frequency of regulatory levels being exceeded


Description:
D11C2 – Anthropogenic continuous low-frequency sound


Description:
D1C1 – Mortality rate from incidental by-catch


Description:
D1C3 - Population demographic characteristics


Description:
D1C4 - Population distributional range and pattern


Description:
D5C6 - Opportunistic macroalgae of benthic habitats


Description:
D5C7 - Macrophyte communities of benthic habitats


Description:
D5C8 - Macrofaunal communities of benthic habitats


Description:
D6C2 - Physical disturbance to the seabed


Description:
D6C3 – Adverse effects from physical disturbance


Description:
D7C1 – Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions


Description:
D7C2 – Adverse effects from permanent alterations of hydrographical conditions


Description:
D8C3 – Significant acute pollution events


Description:
D8C4 – Adverse effect of significant acute pollution events


# IntegrationRules

Description:
If two variables do not meet the required standard, good status is not achieved.


Description:
The use of hierarchical approaches to structure indicator inclusion and group is very common. The added structure provides the ability to output intermediate CIs that aid in the interpretation of the overall CI/AI. The nesting of associated indicators into clusters greatly improves the clarity of the aggregation process. Weightings are equal for each indicator and typical of when there is not enough information on the influence of individual indicators.


Description:
Hierarchical layers and clustering of input indicators is used to structure and order the aggregation. Weightings are variable between indicators and can be allocated according to multivariate analysis, expert judgement or based on theoretical assumptions regarding value. Weights can be applied to either individual indicators or to clustered indicators.


Description:
Often hierarchically-structured and have inputs clustered by metric. Weights can be variable or equal. Calculation is undertaken with complex approaches such as summation, multiplication or bespoke formulae operations.


Description:
Use predefined statistical procedures. Commonly applied methods include Factor Analysis, Discriminate analysis and Principal Components Analysis


Description:
Combination of variables/indicators into a flat structure with no intermediate aggregation. Weightings are equal for all indicators and is atypical approach used when there is not enough information on the influence of individual indicators. This method is the most basic of quantitative aggregations, and is more common for indicator production. Averaging can be arithmetic or geometric.


Description:
Combination of variables/indicators into a flat structure with no intermediate aggregation. Weightings are variable between indicators and can be allocated according to multivariate analysis, expert judgement or based on theoretical assumptions regarding value.


Description:
All variables have to achieve good status.


Description:
‘High-level integration’ assessment results for three groups: biological indicators, hazardous substances, indicators and supporting indicators, each applying OOAO.


Description:
Spatial analysis where layers are combined using different functions to produce an integrated output.


Description:
A specific proportion of the variables have to achieve good status.


Description:
Uses specific decision rules to integrate elements into a quality assessment.


# NACECodes

Label:
Exploitation of offshore wind energy for producing electricity


Label:
Quarrying of ornamental and building stone, limestone, gypsum, chalk and slate


Label:
Operation of gravel and sand pits; mining of clays and kaolin


Label:
Support activities for petroleum and natural gas extraction


Label:
Processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans and molluscs


Label:
Building of ships and floating structures


Label:
Repair and maintenance of ships and boats


Label:
Construction of railways and underground railways


Label:
Construction of utility projects for fluids


Label:
Construction of utility projects for electricity and telecommunications


Label:
Construction of other civil engineering projects n.e.c.


Label:
Wholesale of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels and related products


Label:
Wholesale of wood, construction materials and sanitary equipment


Label:
Wholesale of hardware, plumbing and heating equipment and supplies


Label:
Wholesale of other intermediate products


Label:
Sea and coastal passenger water transport


Label:
Service activities incidental to water transportation


# Parameters

Description:
Concentration in muscle meat of fish or fishery products


Description:
Mortality rate / Mortality rate from fishing (F)


# ThresholdSources

Description:
Common Fisheries Policy - Data Collection Framework (DC-MAP)


Description:
Drinking Water Directive (80/778/EEC) as amended by Directive (98/83/EC)


Description:
Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC)


Description:
Regulation on contaminants in foodstuffs (EC 1881/2006)


Description:
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean


Description:
Prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (Regulation 1143/2014)


Description:
International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas


Description:
International Maritime Organisation (MARPOL, Ballast Water Convention, Antifouling Convention)


Description:
Integrated Pollution Prevention Control Directive (96/61/EC)


Description:
UNECE Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution


Description:
North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission


Description:
Directive on National Emission Ceilings for certain pollutants (2001/81/EC)


Description:
Placing of plant protection products on the market (Regulation EC/1107/2007)


Description:
Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (EC 1907/2006)


Description:
Major Accidents (Seveso) Directive (96/82/EC)


Description:
Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC)


# Units

Description:
Decibels reference 1 microPascal squared second


Description:
number of items per kilogram of dry weight


