Objectives: Strongly interface with WP2, task 2.5., this action will contribute to identifying new tools and products developed or optimised within the EC PSS to address WFD/MSFD/OSPAR water quality assessment needs. EC PSS tools and products will be used as proof of concept (from the sensors to the data, from the data to the indicators then, from the indicators to the environmental status assessment). Action #8 results should contribute to EU Directives and Regional Sea Convention monitoring programmes definition and implementation and, to coastal ecosystem assessment and management improvement (IFREMER, Hereon, Deltares, RWS).
Action Lead and other Partners (with contact persons): RWS (Enserink), IFREMER (Lefebvre, Devreker), CNRS-LOG (Artigas), VLIZ (Debusschere), HEREON (Brix), DELTARES (Blauw).
JS3 Platforms included: Not relevant for this task, as this is a networking activity.
Other data sources and external partners for implementation: networking activity including participation to MSFD, OSPAR, NOOS working groups => new partners and collaborations to be identified during the course of the project.
Overall timetable of action: Jan 2021- Aug 2022.
Description of action: The EC-PSS is part of the OSPAR Region II (Greater North Sea). One of OSPAR’s tasks is to develop Quality Status Reports (QSR) in a 6-year cycle. These reports form the joint basis for OSPAR contracting parties that are also EU member states for their MSFD reporting. Eutrophication (MSFD Descriptor 5), Biodiversity – pelagic habitats (Descriptor 1), and food webs (descriptor 4) are the main themes that link with the actions in this PSS.
For the next QSR 2023, an attempt will be made to involve tools that are currently used for the assessment of eutrophication (i.e., Satellite, buoys and ferry box observations, hydrodynamic modelling) in the assessments of eutrophication and biodiversity, notably pelagic habitats. This is also supported by a newly started EU project (NEA PANACEA). Some contributors to action #8 are also involved in this project and can thereby make a good link with the EC PSS.
Any new tools and products developed in the EC PSS may not be in time to contribute to the QSR 2023 but can be useful for the next cycle of assessments. Iterations with the relevant OSPAR groups will improve the suitability of the tools for the work of OSPAR. This will be done through the meetings of the relevant OSPAR groups, where members of this action’s team are regular participants.
Best practices used or developed: networking activity.
Data flows: not relevant for the action.
Data QC routines: not relevant for the action.
Data management issues: not relevant for the action.
Expected results: Integration and implementation of new tools and products from the EC PSS (and NS PSS, through active collaboration via action#7) into EU Directives and Regional Sea convention assessment procedures.
Users of results: MSFD, OSPAR, JRC, EEA, NOOS, government authorities, stakeholders, policy-makers.
Dissemination of results: Participation to and interaction with MSFD, OSPAR Regional Sea Convention and North West European Shelf Operational Oceanographic System (NOOS) Working Groups according to their own schedules (example: OSPAR Intersessional Group on Eutrophication in January each year); specific networking activities via Virtual Meetings; specific contributions such as Meeting Document or communications during MSFD/OSPAR/NOOS meetings to highlight main results and share experiences.
Links: Links to WP2, Task 2.5 (Interfacing with monitoring programmes, non-European OOS, and the political realm).
Link to products and services prototyped in WPs 3, 4 & 9.
Links to WP4 Bay of Biscay, GoF PSS (shared products => contribution to a pan – European approach as needed for Directives and Regional Sea Convention implementation).
