The JPI Oceans "Science for Good Environmental Status (S4GES)" Joint Action represents a critical effort to coordinate research and innovation on fundamental methodological components to enhance the assessment and achievement of Good Environmental Status (GES) in marine environments. Launched in late 2019, the Joint Action brought together 11 countries, led by Belgium, Italy, and Malta, to introduce a complementary approach to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) for evaluating marine environmental status.
The first phase of S4GES established a Knowledge Hub and a Scientific Coordination Team, encompassing four expert working groups focusing on (i) oceanography, (ii) trophic web, (iii) e-DNA, and (iv) contaminants. This integrative approach aimed to address the complexities of marine ecosystems by moving beyond traditional point sampling methods, which often fail to capture the full scope of environmental variability and interactions. As part of the first phase, a proof-of-concept campaign in 2022 aboard RV Belgica targeted the dynamic tide-driven system along the coasts of Belgium and The Netherlands. The combination of near real-time satellite observations and ground-truthing field sampling revealed significant deviations in biological responses to the dynamics of physical parameters compared to what was expected from historical data, and underscored the value of adaptive sampling approaches in combination with fixed-station sampling for the assessment of GES. These adaptive approaches form the basis of augmented observatories - integrated monitoring systems that combine traditional fixed-station measurements with satellite data and sensors, allowing for dynamic adjustment of sampling strategies in response to observed environmental changes.
The promising outcomes of the initial phase may lead to a paradigm shift in marine environmental monitoring. In direct effect, Belgium investigates the modification of its monitoring strategy to apply this new approach during the next MSFD cycle. The validity of the approach was also endorsed by the COMPEAT process used by the OSPAR commission for its 2023 Quality Status Report assessment. In this, satellite remote sensing observations were combined with in situ measurements and numerical modelling data, providing a much more nuanced assessment of the eutrophication status and its patterns owing to environmental factors such as currents and subsurface geology. A first peer-reviewed paper, describing the process-based monitoring approach was published in the scientific journal Sustainability.
This second phase of the S4GES initiative builds on the foundational work of the first phase, aiming to refine and expand the methodologies developed to assess and achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) of marine environments. The first phase, co-financed by participating organisations suggests that, beyond access to the infrastructures, funds are mainly needed to support data and sample analysis and related personnel. A joint call was launched which intends to serve as a cornerstone for the second phase and seeks to expand and validate the process-based approach across diverse marine settings in European waters, ultimately aiming for a comprehensive and more accurate assessment of GES. This initiative aligns with broader goals to enhance the cost efficiency and effectiveness of marine monitoring strategies, thereby supporting the implementation of MSFD with robust scientific evidence. Central to this effort is the development of augmented observatories and the implementation of collaborative, trans-national research activities.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is the current regulatory European Union framework that promotes actions for environmental assessments, defines environmental targets and sets programmes of monitoring and measures, with the overall objective of maintaining or restoring GES of European Seas and their resources.
The initial assessment and reports of Member States on the environmental status in the first implementation cycle until 2020 have shown the necessity to significantly improve the quality and coherence of the determination of GES by the Member States. Furthermore, the Commission recognised that criteria and methodological standards on GES of marine waters and specifications and standardised methods for monitoring and assessment should be based on the best available science. The Knowledge Hub will contribute to these requirements through its transnational coordination of capacities and expertise. This further aligns with the EU-funded MINKE project objectives.