MISTIC SEAS III

Developing a coordinated approach for assessing Descriptor 4 via its linkages with D1 and other relevant descriptors in the Macaronesian sub-region.

Participantes: IIM-CSIC, Fundación Biodiversidad, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Direção Regional dos Assuntos do Mar, Secretaria Regional do Mar Ciência e Tecnologia (Portugal), Fundo Regional para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Portugal), Governo Regional -Açores e Madeira (Portugal), Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação (Portugal), Direção Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos (Portugal).

Principal Investigator IIM: G. Pierce.

Funding: European Union

Budget: 147 787,00 €

Start: 01/03/2019

End: 28/02/2021

MISTIC SEAS III aims to address the assessment of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 4 (Food webs) at the Macaronesian sub-regional level following the criteria set up under the new Commission GES Decision 2017/848/EC. Taking advance on the coordinated actions and the cooperation frame established during the previous MISTICSEAS projects, this proposal aims to operationalise D4 in the Macaronesian subregion, to define a common sub regional approach for the development of this descriptor D4 and also strengthening the cooperation with other subregions of the North-east Atlantic Ocean (e.g. Bay of Biscay and the Iberian Coast sub-region). The action will propose a common approach, species and metrics for Macaronesia aiming to maximize synergies between indicators, monitoring programs and measures already developed for D1 and D3 in both Member States. The main activities to develop under the MISTIC SEAS III cover: according to the New decision (2017/848/EC) a review of the Descriptor 4, to ensure to use the best existing approaches and to find data gaps in the application of D4 to Macaronesia ; Assess D4 in Macaronesian sub-region, trough tune the method(s) selected and apply a pilot to Macaronesia for estimating baselines and thresholds; Improve monitoring and measures related to D4 with especial attention to D1, D3 and Criteria not previously addressed; Sinergies and subregional cooperation; comunication and dissemination; coordination of the action.