French Mediterranean Sea

Success and challenges of coherence in the WFD, MSPD and MSFD objectives implementation in the French Mediterranean context

In the French Mediterranean, aligning freshwater and marine policies biodiversity goals with economic sectors development is challenging. Various marine directives (WFD, MSFD, MSPD), land planning and sectoral policies (fisheries, renewable marine energy) need to align but frequently lack effective coordination and consideration of cumulative impacts at the local level. By examining where these policies intersect and diverge, this case study identifies governance gaps and promotes better integration. The aim is to ensure that environmental measures, maritime activities, and sectoral plans reinforce each other rather than compete.

CASE STUDY LEAD PARTNER

Laura Bastide

Case study lead
Research assistant l.bastide(at)acteon-environment.eu

Sarah Loudin

Research scientist (PhD) s.loudin(at)acteon-environment.eu

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Objective

The case study examines if environmental protection measures under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) are implemented and if they are influenced by the planning of maritime activities under the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). It focuses on two main aspects:

Interplay of Directives and policy planning: Investigating how the interactions between the WFD, MSFD, and MSPD and French regional land planning either support or hinder coherence with the objectives of the European Green Deal (EGD).

Implementation Mechanisms: Analyzing if and how the mechanisms used to implement sectoral policies (e.g., fisheries, energy) facilitate or hinders alignment with the objectives of the MSFD, WFD, and the EGD.

Policy focus

Integrated design, implementation and evaluation of WFD, MSFD and MSPD

Policy instruments of French renewable marine energies and fisheries policy

Geographic focus

Freshwater sub-basin PACA-Durance and the related Mediterranean marine water area

Stakeholders

Institutional: DIRM, Water Agency, DREAL, DDTM Maritime prefecture, PACA region, OFB, MPA

Scientific: CNRS, IFREMER, MHNH, SHOM, marine observatories

Non-governemntal organisations: WWF, FNE

Strategic impact assessment

Consideration of cross-cutting issues in the SIAs of the MSFD and WFD

Environmental impact assessment

Consideration of cross-cutting issues in the EIAs of the MSFD, WFD and offshore winds

Planning

Assessment of WFD, MSPD, and MSFD plans and program of measures and their local adaptation as well as the compliance with the GD objectives (biodiversity)

Assessment of sectoral policy design, objectives, and funding compliance with GD objectives (biodiversity)

Implementation

Coherence and cross-compliance between:

– WFD, MSPD and MSFD objectives, measures and policy instruments (plan formulation and design, governance, fundings and environmental measures)

– Offshore wind and fishery measures and policy instruments (governance, fundings and environmental measures)