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Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The European Commission Marine Strategy Framework Directive aims to achieve Good Environmental Status in European seas by 2020.

This Directive came into force on 15 July 2008. It fits well with the Government vision for clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse seas.

We will be working with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government to achieve this vision.

Key requirements of the Directive are:

  • An assessment of the current state of UK seas by July 2012.
  • A detailed description for Good Environmental Status for UK waters by July 2012.
  • To establish a monitoring programme to measure progress toward Good Environmental Status by July 2014.
  • To establish a programme of measures for achieving Good Environmental Status by July 2016.