Give your opinion on the draft reports for the Belgian Marine Strategy

The Belgian Marine Strategy is our national strategy to protect the marine environment of the BPNS that fits within the framework of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Its main objective is to achieve and maintain a 'Good Environmental Status' of our marine waters and, where possible, to restore damage to the ecosystem.

In order to achieve this objective, a number of steps have been identified from the MSFD which Member States should follow. In 2012, an initial assessment of the state of Belgian marine waters was carried out, next to a description of a good environmental status with the associated environmental targets and indicators, and a socio-economic analysis of activities on and around the sea. After describing a monitoring program in 2014 and a program of measures (2015), the implementation followed in 2016. These steps are coordinated by the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, while the department of MUMM of OD Nature is responsible for the monitoring aspect.

Each of these steps is reviewed every six years and a public consultation is currently under way where you have the opportunity to give your opinion on the draft reports for the Belgian Marine Strategy. If you are interested in participating, please visit the website of the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. The public consultation will run until July 15, 2018.