A recent study published in Conservation Letters shows that European seas remain in poor condition, more than ten years after the EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) came into force. Drawing on official data from all EU Member States, the authors assessed the environmental status of marine waters using all 11 MSFD descriptors.

The results point to widespread degradation. Marine biodiversity is in poor shape across nearly all EU sea regions. Multiple pressures—including overfishing, pollution, and invasive species—act together, putting ecosystems at serious risk. In many areas, especially in the eastern Mediterranean, data gaps limit effective monitoring and management.

In contrast, regional seas with stronger coordination, such as the Baltic and North Sea, show better coverage and improved responses. HELCOM’s work to reduce eutrophication in the Baltic is one example, though the recovery process remains slow.

The study calls for:

• Improved monitoring
• More effective use of available data
• Regional coordination through international agreements
• Stronger implementation of existing policies

This research was supported by the GES4SEAS project. GES4SEAS works to improve how we assess cumulative human pressures on marine biodiversity. The project is currently developing a toolbox to support marine governance, tested in 11 Learning Sites across Europe.

Read the full study here.