Coordinated assessments of marine species and habitats under the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The study aim was to support the Commission’s work to better coordinate assessments of marine species and habitats under the Birds and Habitats Directives (BHD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

The project comprised two tasks. Task 1 reviewed the processes involved in monitoring and reporting at the Member State level, whilst Task 2 reviewed the technical aspects of marine species and habitat assessments (undertaken by Member States (MSs), and an assessment of their integration between BHD and MSFD. The report identifies gaps and opportunities for improved coordination and streamlining across the Directives. 

MRAG led task 1 to review the processes involved in monitoring, reporting and assessment at the Member State level, to support the streamlining of the administrative steps of implementing the BHD and MSFD with regards to marine species and habitat monitoring, reporting and assessment, and contributed to the data collection in Task 2