The MSFD implements the ecosystem approach to the management of human activities which have an impact on the marine environment and integrates the concepts of environmental protection and sustainable use. (1)

In order to achieve its goal, a ‘Good Environmental Status’ (GES) in all EU marine waters, the Directive divides marine regions on the basis of geographical and environmental criteria: the Baltic Sea, the North-east Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. All these seas are located within the geographical boundaries of the existing Regional Sea Conventions.

The following 11 qualitative descriptors determine the GES (2):

1. Biological diversity is maintained. The quality and occurrence of habitats and the distribution and abundance of species are in line with prevailing physiographic, geographic and climatic conditions.
2. Non-indigenous species introduced by human activities are at levels that do not adversely alter the ecosystems.
3. Populations of all commercially exploited fish and shellfish are within safe biological limits, exhibiting a population age and size distribution that is indicative of a healthy stock.
4. All elements of the marine food webs, to the extent that they are known, occur at normal abundance and diversity and levels capable of ensuring the long-term abundance of the species and the retention of their full reproductive capacity.
5. Human-induced eutrophication is minimised, especially adverse effects thereof, such as losses in biodiversity, ecosystem degradation, harmful algae blooms and oxygen deficiency in bottom waters.
6. Sea-floor integrity is at a level that ensures that the structure and functions of the ecosystems are safeguarded and benthic ecosystems, in particular, are not adversely affected.
7. Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect marine ecosystems.
8. Concentrations of contaminants are at levels not giving rise to pollution effects.
9. Contaminants in fish and other seafood for human consumption do not exceed levels established by Community legislation or other relevant standards.
10. Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment.
11. Introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment.

The MSRL includes the following implementation steps (1):

• The initial assessment of the current environmental status of national marine waters and the environmental impact and socio-economic analysis of human activities in these waters
• The determination of what GES means for national marine waters
• The establishment of environmental targets and associated indicators to achieve GES by 2020
• The establishment of a monitoring programme for the ongoing assessment and the regular update of targets
• The development of a programme of measures designed to achieve or maintain GES by 2020
• The process is cyclical and the second cycle starts again in 2018.

Marine Protected Areas (MPA): serve descriptor 1, the protection of biological diversity. The establishment of a MPAs network additionally contributes to one of the key objectives of the global Convention on Biological Diversity, the creation of a global network of MPAs.