The Marine Strategy Framework Directive Competence Centre is set up to help EU countries achieve ‘Good Environmental Status’ of their marine waters by 2020, the main aim of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The MSFD seeks to protect the fragile balance of marine ecosystems, upon which many economic and social activities such as fishing or tourism depend.
The MSFD Competence Centre (MCC) was established by the JRC, the European Commission’s in-house science service, to share harmonised marine policy and science information, and to provide the MSFD Common Implementation Strategy with up-to-date scientific knowledge as well as to facilitate cooperation and information exchange for the successful implementation of the Directive.
The MCC is the result of a close collaboration between the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, EU Member States, Regional Sea Conventions (RSCs), the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and the European research community. And will act as the main platform for sharing of knowledge and scientific expertise on methods and modelling tools as well as easy access to guidance, assessments and reviews.
The MCC will act as a single entry point for policy-review activities, including the current review of the criteria and methodological standards for good environmental standards, which are key to achieving the MSFD goal. A web interface is available which brings together relevant tools and information, including assessment approaches, methodological standards as well as links to other related initiatives, such as the European Marine Observation and Data network.