Pelagic habitats under the MSFD D1: scientific advice of policy relevance

Pelagic habitats are a policy priority below Descriptor 1 (Biodiversity) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). They are addressed under the D1C6 criterion, stating “the condition of the habitat type, including its biotic and abiotic structure and its functions…, is not adversely affected due to anthropogenic pressures”. The evaluation of pelagic habitats status is challenged by the functional and structural characteristics of pelagic habitat diversity and processes. To date, pelagic habitats assessments are lacking in common criteria and methodologies that characterize the habitat while accounting for the effects of anthropogenic pressures to achieve the Good Environmental Status (GES). It is therefore necessary to prioritise communication between scientific and policy communities and frame pelagic research to agree on common methods and approaches at regional or EU scale. This is key for achieving harmonised and comparable pelagic assessments for the MSFD. This report summarizes the outcomes on the assessment workflow of pelagic habitats of the JRC “MSFD pelagic habitats” workshop (9th and 10th March 2021), and the need for coordinated evaluations of the scientific challenges of policy relevance. Recommendations on the MSFD implementation of D1C6, that were generated from the experts during the workshop, will be communicated to the MSFD policy groups and the EU Member States competent authorities to support future harmonised assessment of pelagic habitats.