Article 2 Definitions and interpretationF7

For the purposes of this Decision, the definitions F2in regulation 3 (meaning of the “marine strategy area” and “marine waters”) of, and Part 2 of Schedule 1 to, the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010 apply.

The following definitions shall also apply:

1. (1)

   ‘subregions’ means the subregions listed in Article 4(2) of Directive 2008/56/EC;

2. (2)

   ‘subdivisions’ means subdivisions as referred to in Article 4(2) of Directive 2008/56/EC;

3. (3)

   ‘invasive non-indigenous species’ means ‘invasive alien species’ within the meaning of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f1;

4. (4)

   ‘criteria elements’ means constituent elements of an ecosystem, particularly its biological elements (species, habitats and their communities), or aspects of pressures on the marine environment (biological, physical, substances, litter and energy), which are assessed under each criterion;

5. (5)

   ‘threshold value’ means a value or range of values that allows for an assessment of the quality level achieved for a particular criterion, thereby contributing to the assessment of the extent to which good environmental status is being achieved.

6. (6)

   F4“regional sea convention” means any of the international conventions or international agreements together with their governing bodies established for the purpose of protecting the marine environment of the marine regions referred to in Article 4, such as the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-east Atlantic and the Convention for the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean Sea.

7. (7)

   “regional cooperation” means cooperation and coordination of activities between the United Kingdom and, whenever possible, other countries sharing the same marine region or subregion, for the purpose of developing and implementing marine strategies.

8. (8)

   “competent authority” has the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010.

9. (9)

   “devolved policy authority” has the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the Marine Strategy Regulations 2010.

For the purposes of any reference to Directive 2008/56/EC, or to any Article or Annex of that Directive, that Directive, or the Article or Annex, is to be read subject to the modifications specified in Annex 2 and as if—