Scottish Government

The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive was transposed into UK legislation on 15 July 2010. The Directive requires Member States (MSs) to prepare national strategies to manage their seas to achieve or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) by 2020. There is a high emphasis on international co-operation. The undernoted links give more detail on MSFD requirements.

Key requirements of the Directive:

• An assessment of the current state of UK seas by July 2012
• A detailed description of what Good Environmental Status means for UK waters, and associated targets and indicators by July 2012
• Establishment of a monitoring programme to measure progress towards GES by July 2014
• Establishment of a programme of measures for achieving GES by 2016

27/03/12

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Devolved Administrations (the Welsh Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and Scottish Government) have published a joint Consultation on those elements of the MSFD which require to be implemented by July 2012.

The Consultation will close for responses on 18 June 2012.