- References
Good Environmental Status is a qualitative description of the state of the seas that the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires its Member States to achieve or maintain by the year 2020. [1]Good Environmental Status is described by 11 Descriptors: - Descriptor 1. Biodiversity is maintained
- Descriptor 2. Non-indigenous species do not adversely alter the ecosystem
- Descriptor 3. The population of commercial fish species is healthy
- Descriptor 4. Elements of food webs ensure long-term abundance and reproduction
- Descriptor 5. Eutrophication is minimised
- Descriptor 6. The sea floor integrity ensures functioning of the ecosystem
- Descriptor 7. Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect the ecosystem
- Descriptor 8. Concentrations of contaminants give no effects
- Descriptor 9. Contaminants in seafood are below safe levels
- Descriptor 10. Marine litter does not cause harm
- Descriptor 11. Introduction of energy (including underwater noise) does not adversely affect the ecosystem
References1. ^Achieve Good Environmental Status
{{environment-stub}} 3 : European Union directives|Marine conservation|Environmental law in the European Union |