Good Environmental Status

Good Environmental Status is a qualitative description of the state of the seas that the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires its Member States to achieve or maintain by the year 2020. Good Environmental Status is described by 11 Descriptors:

• Descriptor 1. Biodiversity is maintained
• Descriptor 2. Non-indigenous species do not adversely alter the ecosystem
• Descriptor 3. The population of commercial fish species is healthy
• Descriptor 4. Elements of food webs ensure long-term abundance and reproduction
• Descriptor 5. Eutrophication is minimised
• Descriptor 6. The sea floor integrity ensures functioning of the ecosystem
• Descriptor 7. Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect the ecosystem
• Descriptor 8. Concentrations of contaminants give no effects
• Descriptor 9. Contaminants in seafood are below safe levels
• Descriptor 10. Marine litter does not cause harm
• Descriptor 11. Introduction of energy (including underwater noise) does not adversely affect the ecosystem