Your opinion on Natura 2000 and the program of measures for our North Sea

From July 1st, 2021 to September 30th, 2021 included, the Marine Environment Service from FPS Public Health is organizing two public consultations on environmental policy in the North Sea. One revolves around Natura 2000 and the other around the Marine Strategy.

  • Conservation objectives and Natura 2000 management in the Belgian part of the North Sea:

The Habitats and Birds Directive require that EU Member States establish protected areas (Natura 2000 areas) for the protection of habitats and species. In the Belgian part of the North Sea, 37% of its surface has so far been designated as a Natura 2000 area. The protected habitats in these areas are sandbanks, gravel beds and tubeworm beds. The harbor porpoise, harbor seal and grey seal are the protected species.

In order to get to a good management of the Natura 2000 zones, the European Commission requests that goals are fixed for conservation and development of management plans. These indicate the actions that are pursued and undertaken in the Belgian part of the North Sea to restore or maintain a favorable conservation status for the protected habitats and species.

  • Program of measures for the Belgian marine waters, in the framework of the Marine Strategy.

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires each European Member State to develop a marine strategy for the protection, conservation and restoration of the marine environment. The aim of this directive is to achieve a good environmental status of the North Sea and a sustainable use of marine waters.

The program of measures for Belgian marine waters includes a variety of measures on different environmental aspects such as biodiversity, soil integrity, underwater noises and water quality. These include awareness campaigns, monitoring and control, and environmental restoration measures.

DG Environment coordinates the implementation of the MSFD in Belgium. RBINS scientific service MUMM is responsible for coordinating the monitoring and evaluating the situation. This process is carried out in collaboration with various partners.

Consistency between Natura 2000 and the marine Strategy

Natura 2000 and the Marine Strategy are closely linked. Good environmental status and sustainable use of the marine environment are essential to develop Natura 2000 areas. The protection of habitats and species in these areas is likewise important for achieving the biodiversity objectives of the Marine Strategy.

In addition, a number of measures are needed to both achieve good environmental status and protect habitats and species in Natura 2000 areas. Such measures include seabed protection, gravel bed restoration and a methodology for assessing cumulative effects.

That is why the new program of measures fulfills not only the objectives of the Marine Strategy, but also the conservation objectives of the Habitats and Birds Directives. Conversely, the conservation objectives have been aligned with the updated environmental goals of the 2018 Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the existing management plans have been revised based on the new program of measures.

These public consultations fall under the Aarhus Convention, which gives you the right to be involved in environmental decision-making.

More information:

You can find all the documents and more information on how to submit your comments at www.consult-environnement.be:

  • Public consultation on the conservation objectives and management plans for Natura 2000 in the Belgian part of the North Sea (FR / NL)
  • Public consultation on the program of measures for Belgian marine waters, in the framework of the Marine Strategy (FR / NL)