On Thursday 8 April, the European Commission published its roadmap for a review and possible revision of the EU’s 2008 Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC).
The initiative, scheduled for the first quarter of 2023, will examine the achievements and shortcomings of this directive, explore options for improvement and propose possible amendments.
For the time being, comments from citizens and stakeholders are being sought until 6 May.
This Directive required EU Member States to develop strategies in order to achieve “good environmental status” and have clean, healthy and productive seas by 2020.
The June 2020 report on its implementation has already identified areas for improvement in order to achieve the good environmental status that is still lacking. The evaluation would explore these avenues further.
Several scenarios are envisaged: - the continuation of the current policy; - the repeal of the Directive in favour of the Regional Sea Conventions and existing EU sectoral legislation only; - improving implementation through guidance documents, infringement proceedings and Commission delegated acts to address problems, including excessive administrative burden; - targeted changes (more specific objectives, greater harmonisation of actions within marine regions); - the recast of the Directive.
To contribute to the consultation: https://bit.ly/3d5ZrSd (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)