The European Commission has published a roadmap for the review of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), to examine its achievements and explore options for improvement. In line with the EU environmental agenda foreseen by the European Green Deal, the review of the MSFD is due by mid-2023.

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive was first adopted in June 2008, with the aim to protect more effectively the marine environment across Europe, maintain biodiversity and restore ocean heritage. The MSFD objective was also to establish a framework for all Member States to achieve and/or maintain Good Environmental Status (GES) by 2020. In order to help Member States in developing their strategy, the Commission provided methodological guidelines for correct implementation, which were revised in 2017. The report on the first implementation cycle was adopted by the Commission June 2020.

Until 6 May, the roadmap is open for public feedback. A 12-week online public consultation will then be launched in the second quarter of 2021.

More information on MSFD and the roadmap can be found here.