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Marine messages II

Publication Created 13 Mar 2020 Published 25 Jun 2020
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This report provides a set of key messages on the current use of Europe's seas and its combined effects on marine ecosystem condition. These messages underpin a set of lessons from marine ecosystem recovery from which solutions for a brighter future can be identified.
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Publication Created 13 Mar 2020 Published 25 Jun 2020
EEA Report No 17/2019
This report provides a set of key messages on the current use of Europe's seas and its combined effects on marine ecosystem condition. These messages underpin a set of lessons from marine ecosystem recovery from which solutions for a brighter future can be identified.

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Data references

EEA marine assessment grid The EEA marine assessment grid is a vector dataset based on the 'EEA reference grid'. It covers the Seas and Marine areas surrounding Europe. Open sea areas are covered by 100 km polygon grid shapes. Coastal areas are covered by 20 km polygon grid shapes. The combined EEA assessment grid fills the entire area of interest with grid cells without gaps and overlaps. Data and assessment results spatially mapped to the EEA assessment grid ensures that data can be compared in a uniform way across the European regional seas.
MESH+ Marine EcoSystem Health assessment tool The MESH+ tool builds on the EEA assessment tools developed and applied in the context of assessing the degree of contamination (CHASE+), eutrophication (HEAT+) and biodiversity (BEAT+) in Europe's seas (EEA, 2018a, 2019c; Vaughan et al., 2019). MESH+ makes use of the same data sets and threshold values used in these assessments but recombines these in a new framework that addresses 'ecosystem condition'.
BEAT+ Integrated classification of biodiversity condition in Europe’s seas The BEAT+ tool builds on the EEA assessment tools developed and applied in the context of assessing the degree of contamination (CHASE+), eutrophication (HEAT+) and biodiversity (BEAT+) in Europe's seas. BEAT+ makes use of the same data sets and threshold values used in these assessments but recombines these in a new framework that addresses 'biodiversity condition'.
Combined effects of human activities and pressures The potential combined effects of human activities and pressures on marine species and habitats were estimated using the method for assessment of cumulative effects, for the entire suite of pressures and a selected set of marine species groups and habitats by an index (Halpern et al. 2008). The spatial assessment of combined effects of multiple pressures informs of the risks of human activities on the marine ecosystem health.
HEAT+ Eutrophication Assessment Tool HEAT+ classification: The HELCOM Eutrophication Assessment Tool (Developed for the pan-European assessment)
CHASE+ Contaminants Assessment CHASE: Chemical Status Assessment Tool

Figures used

The value of long-term time data to inform for the future The chart shows the average Eutrophication Ratio for the entire Baltic for each year from 1900 to 2200, as well as a 5-year moving average. The eutrophication ratio is calculated by the HEAT tool. A value above 1 indicates that there is a Eutrophic status. A value below 1 indicate a good (non-eutrophic status).
The condition of Europe’s seas is a direct function of the intensity of human activities The chart compares the results of the Cumulative Effect Assessment with the results of the Ecosystem Health Status (MESH+) Assessment and EU Water Framwork Directive ecological status (2016).
Temporal development of the Lusitanina/Boreal species ration The map shows the temporal development of the Lusitanina/Boreal species ration, 1972 and 2016
Mapping of contamination 'problem'- and 'non-problem' areas in Europe's seas The map shows the results of classification of Contamination Status using the CHASE+ tool. The contamination status is classified as ‘non-problem areas’ or ‘problem areas’.
Mapping of eutrophication 'problem'- and 'non-problem' areas in European seas The map shows the results of classification of Eutrophication Status using the HEAT+ tool. Eutrophication status is classified as ‘non-problem areas’ or ‘problem areas’.
Integrated classification of biodiversity condition in Europe’s seas The map identifies problem vs. non-problem areas for biodiversity in Europe's seas by identifying the worst case index value calculated by the BEAT+ tool for those biodiversity components where indicators were available. The status is evaluated in five classes, where High and Good are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and Moderate, Poor and Bad are recognised as ‘problem areas’
Combined effects of land-based pressures on species and habitat in Europe's seas The map describes combined effects index values for pressures caused by land-based human activities. The relative values indicate areas where the pressures potentially affect the marine ecosystem. The table shows the frequency of assessment units indicating pressure
Combined effects of sea-based pressures on marine species and habitats in Europe's seas The map describes the combined effects index values for pressures on marine species and habitats in Europe's seas. The relative values indicate areas where the pressures potentially affect the marine ecosystem. The table shows the spatial coverage of the sea-based pressures in three marine zones
Combined effects of human activities and pressures The map describes combined effects index values for pressures caused by human activities. The relative values indicate areas where the pressures potentially affect the marine ecosystem. The charts shows the ranking of key groups of pressures causing ecosystem effects and ecosystem components being affected by them in Europe’s seas
Living Planet Index calculated for main marine vertebrate groups The Living Planet Index (LPI) is used for a number of biodiversity indicators, based on geometric averaging.
Summary of status and trends of threatened marine species This figure summarises the level of threat for species in different biodiversity groups based on their current status or population trends (where known). The data was extracted from a range of IUCN Red List sources, primarily reports developed with EEA & European Commission specifically for European populations.
Overall biodiversity condition and trends in Europe's Seas The figure shows the overall summary of the state and trends in European marine biodiversity trends & status assessed by Regional Seas Conventions (RSCs) and European assessments. Where assessments based on limited data or restricted regions, grey colors is used
Evolution of the EU blue economy by sector The figure shows the evolution of the EU blue economy by sector in the period from 2009 to 2018
Provisional identification and mapping of ‘problem areas’ (PA) and ‘non-problem areas’ (NPA) with respect to the ‘ecosystem condition’ of Europe’s seas Results of classification of Ecosystem Health using the MESH+ tool. (MESH+: Marine EcoSystem Healt). Status is evaluated in five classes, where NPAhigh and NPAgood are recognised as ‘non-problem areas’ and PAmoderatne, PApoor and PAbad are recognised as ‘problem areas’
Trends in number of non-indigenous species in Europe’ seas Cumulative number of new non-indigenous species (NIS) aggregated per 6 years in all European Seas, 1949-2017, per functional group (Invertebrates, vertebrates and primary producers, (EU + non EU)
Mean annual productivity of the White-tailed eagle in the Baltic Proper, Swedish coastal area Mean annual productivity of the White-tailed eagle in the Baltic Proper, Swedish coastal area

News and articles

Our nature needs urgent help Awareness of our nature has never been as high as it is today. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions many of us headed outside to our nearest green spaces for respite and solace — necessary breaks from our lockdown existence. It once again reminded us of the vital and valued role that our nature plays in our mental and physical well-being.
Joint efforts for better knowledge about maritime transport and the environment The European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) have recently published the European Maritime Transport Environmental Report (EMTER), which is a joint assessment about the environmental impacts of maritime transport in Europe. We interviewed Stéphane Isoard, Head of group for water and marine topics at the EEA, who was leading the EEA team working on the report.
Ensuring clean waters for people and nature Water covers more than 70 % of the Earth’s surface and is essential to all life on our planet. Of all the Earth’s water, 96.5 % is contained within the oceans as salt water, whereas the remaining 3.5 % is freshwater — lakes, rivers, groundwater and ice. Good management of this limited and precious resource is indispensable for the well-being of people and nature.
Europe’s seas face uncertain future if urgent, coherent action not taken Faced with the increased threats posed by overexploitation of marine resources, pollution and climate change, urgent action is needed to bring Europe’s seas back to good condition. According to the European Environment Agency’s report on Europe’s marine ecosystems, published today, we are running out of time to reverse decades of neglect and misuse.

Related briefings

Europe’s marine biodiversity remains under pressure Europe's seas are precious. Our quality of life, livelihoods and economies depend on them being in good condition. Our seas are home to many species, habitats and ecosystems. They also provide our societies with vital ecosystem services, including food, energy, clean air and climate change mitigation. However, through the continued unsustainable use of Europe’s seas, we have altered their physio-chemical environment, and their habitats and ecosystems. The resilience of our seas is eroding, while their ecosystems, habitats and biodiversity, and the services they provide are under significant threat. This briefing summarises the current state of biodiversity in Europe’s seas.
Multiple pressures and their combined effects in Europe’s seas Europe’s seas are overexploited. Most of Europe’s marine area (93 %) is under multiple pressures from human activities, which have reached the most remote areas. The EU’s maritime economy will not be sustainable unless it is confined to the current ecological limits of marine ecosystems. That means decoupling human activities on land and sea from the degradation and depletion of marine ecosystem capital. This briefing summarises a spatial assessment of the multiple pressures on Europe’s seas (ETC/ICM, 2019a).

Related indicators

Changes in fish distribution in European seas Over the last 45 years, an increase in the number of fish species was observed in the Celtic Sea, the Greater North Sea and the Baltic Sea.  This change is mainly related to an increase in the number of warm-favouring (Lusitanian, L) species and, to a much lesser extent, an increase in the number of cool-favouring (Boreal, B) species. Observed changes are significant in the North Sea and in the Skagerrak-Kattegat, where significant correlations were also found between the L/B ratio and increased temperature, indicating that changes in fish distribution are related to climate change. In the same period, there were no observed changes in the distribution of widely distributed fish species, which are less sensitive to temperature changes but are exposed to the same combination of increased sea temperature pressures related to human activities in the assessment areas.

Related infographics

State of water in Europe Waste water treatment and reductions in nutrient losses from agriculture have led to significant improvements in water quality in Europe. However, many of Europe’s freshwater bodies are still not doing well and the condition of Europe’s seas is generally poor, partly because of pollution.
The constituents of marine natural capital in a socio‑economic context
Marine messages II classification of EU coastal and maritime activities
Marine ecosystem services and examples of their benefits for people
The constituents of marine natural capital
Living well within planetary limits - bridging the gap between science and policy Planetary boundaries are adapted from Rockström et al. (2009). Many United Nations, regional and EU policies address the risks of transgressing these boundaries. Policies for addressing the 'novel entities' boundary, i.e. hazardous substances, pharmaceuticals, etc., in Europe, are illustrated to the right and set in the context of the 7th EAP, i.e. 'living well, within limits' (EEA, 2018a). BSAP, Baltic Sea Action Plan; WFD, Water Framework Directive; SDG, Sustainable Development Goal; REACH, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restrictions of Chemicals (Regulation); WSSD, World Summit on Sustainable Development; MSFD, Marine Strategy Frameworkd Directive.

Related publications

Towards a cleaner Mediterranean This joint EEA and UNEP/MAP report takes stock of the progress achieved and challenges ahead in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Horizon 2020 initiative for a cleaner Mediterranean (H2020).
Nutrient enrichment and eutrophication in Europe's seas This assessment explores whether Europe has been able to reverse eutrophication trends in its regional seas. The assessment is based on publicly available monitoring data, primarily collected in the context of the Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Regional Sea Conventions.
Contaminants in Europes seas Moving towards a clean, non-toxic marine environment. This assessment represents a first attempt to map contamination 'problem areas' and 'non-problem areas' at the scale of Europe's seas, while also exploring whether Europe has broken some of the trends for long‑established hazardous substances.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/marine-messages-2 or scan the QR code.

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