Third assessment of the eutrophication status of German coastal and marine waters 2006 – 2014 in the North Sea according to the OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure

The project conducted the third application of the OSPAR Common Procedue for the assessment of the eutrophication status of the German coastal and marine waters of the North Sea, based on data from 2009-2014. The assessment results were also used in the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for descriptor 5 “eutrophication”. The project thereby provided decision-making support to the Ministry of Environment (BMU) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) for the national and international implementation of the MSFD as well as the commitments made under OSPAR regarding eutrophication. As a result of the eutrophication assessment, 6 % of Germany’s national waters were assessed as not suffering from eutrophication, 39 % were eutrophic and 55% could not be assessed due to a lack of data.