Contaminants cause no significant impact on coastal and marine ecosystems and human health
Operational Objectives Concentration of priority1
Indicators contaminants is kept within
acceptable limits and does not increase Effects of released contaminants are minimized
Acute pollution events are prevented and their impacts are minimized
Levels of known harmful contaminants in major types of seafood do not exceed established standards
Concentration of key harmful contaminants in biota, sediment or water
Level of pollution effects of key contaminants where a cause and effect relationship has been established
Occurrence, origin (where possible), extent of significant acute pollution events (e.g. slicks from oil, oil products and hazardous substances) and their impact on biota affected by this pollution
Actual levels of contaminants that have been detected and number of contaminants which have exceeded maxi- mum regulatory levels in commonly consumed seafood2
Frequency that regulatory levels of contaminants are exceeded
Water quality in bathing waters and other recreational areas does not undermine human health
Percentage of intestinal enterococci concentration measurements within established standards
Occurrence of Harmful Algal Blooms within bathing and recreational areas
1. Priority contaminants as listed under the Barcelona Convention and LBS Protocol 2. Traceability of the origin of seafood sampled should be ensured
Marine litter Ecological Objective
Marine and coastal litter do not adversely affect coastal and marine environment1
Operational Objectives
The impacts related to properties and quantities of marine litter in the marine and coastal environment are minimized
Indicators
Trends in the amount of litter washed ashore and/or deposited on coastlines, including analysis of its compo- sition, spatial distribution and, where possible, source
rends in amounts of litter in the water column, including microplastics, and on the seafloor
Impacts of litter on marine life are controlled to the maximum extent practicable
Trends in the amount of litter ingested by or entangling marine organisms, especially mammals, marine birds and turtles2
1. A policy document on marine litter strategy, taking fully into account the activities envisaged for the implementation of the EA roadmap, is being prepared by MEDPOL and will be submitted to the MAP Focal Point for approval. The approved document will be used as the basis for the formulation of an action plan for the reduction of marine litter 2. Marine mammals, marine birds and turtles included in the regional action plans of the SPA/BD Protocol
Energy including underwater noise Ecological Objective
Noise from human activities causes no significant impact on marine and coastal ecosystems
Operational Objectives
Energy inputs into the marine environment, especially noise from human activities is minimized
Indicators
Proportion of days and geographical distribution where loud, low and mid-frequency impulsive sounds exceed levels that are likely to entail significant impact on marine animals
Trends in continuous low frequency sounds with the use of models as appropriate
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STATE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENT