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Understanding Dredging

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EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Glossary of Terms

Acronym

Definition

Explanation

CIS

Common Implementation Strategy

A strategy prepared in 2008 to ensure coherence and consistency of Member States’ implementation of the MSFD.

GES

Good Environmental Status

The environmental standard (made up of 11 descriptors) which must be achieved in Europe’s seas by 2020.

HELCOM

Helsinki Convention

Governing body for 1992 "Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area" signed by all the countries bordering on the Baltic Sea and by the European Economic Community

MS

European Union Member States

A country that has signed and ratified the treaties of the European Union (EU).

MSCG

Marine Strategic Coordination Group

Group chaired by the Commission responsible for overseeing the implementation of the MSFD. Includes Member States and stakeholder organisations.

MSFD

Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive)

NAVI

Marine Strategy Navigation Group

Cluster of navigation and dredging  organisations chaired by CEDA and responsible for the sector’s coordinated input to the MSFD.

OSPAR

OSPAR Convention, OSPAR Commission (the same acronym is often used interchangeably for both)

Administrator of the Oslo and Paris Conventions for the protection of the marine environment of the North‐East Atlantic.