{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2008-56/annex-III",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2008-56/annex-III.json",
  "legislation": "eudr/2008/56",
  "legislation_title": "Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (Text with EEA relevance)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-directive-2008-56",
  "path": "annex/III",
  "kind": "annex",
  "number": "III",
  "heading": "Indicative lists of ecosystem elements, anthropogenic pressures and human activities relevant to the marine waters",
  "text": "Table 1\nStructure, functions and processes of marine ecosystems\nwith particular relevance for point (a) of Article 8(1), and Articles 9 and 11\nTheme\nEcosystem elements\nPossible parameters and characteristics (Note 1)\nRelevant qualitative descriptors laid down in Annex I (Notes 2 and 3)\nSpecies\nSpecies groups (Note 4) of marine birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and cephalopods of the marine region or subregion\nSpatial and temporal variation per species or population:\ndistribution, abundance and/or biomass\nsize, age and sex structure\nfecundity, survival and mortality/injury rates\nbehaviour including movement and migration\nhabitat for the species (extent, suitability)\nSpecies composition of the group\n(1); (3)\nHabitats\nBroad habitat types of the water column (pelagic) and seabed (benthic) (Note 5), or other habitat types, including their associated biological communities throughout the marine region or subregion\nPer habitat type:\nhabitat distribution and extent (and volume, if appropriate)\nspecies composition, abundance and/or biomass (spatial and temporal variation)\nsize and age structure of species (if appropriate)\nphysical, hydrological and chemical characteristics\nAdditionally for pelagic habitats:\nchlorophyll a concentration\nplankton bloom frequencies and spatial extent\n(1); (6)\nEcosystems, including food webs\nEcosystem structure, functions and processes, comprising:\nphysical and hydrological characteristics\nchemical characteristics\nbiological characteristics\nfunctions and processes\nSpatial and temporal variation in:\ntemperature and ice\nhydrology (wave and current regimes; upwelling, mixing, residence time, freshwater input; sea level)\nbathymetry\nturbidity (silt/sediment loads), transparency, sound\nseabed substrate and morphology\nsalinity, nutrients (N, P), organic carbon, dissolved gases (pCO 2 , O 2 ) and pH\nlinks between habitats and species of marine birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and cephalopods\npelagic-benthic community structure\nproductivity\n(1); (4)\nTable 2\nAnthropogenic pressures, uses and human activities in or affecting the marine environment\n2a. Anthropogenic pressures on the marine environment with particular relevance for points (a) and (b) of Article 8(1), and Articles 9, 10 and 11\nTheme\nPressure (Note 1)\nPossible parameters\nRelevant qualitative descriptors laid down in Annex I (Notes 2 and 3)\nBiological\nInput or spread of non-indigenous species\nIntensity of, and spatial and temporal variation in, the pressure in the marine environment and, where relevant, at source\nFor assessment of environmental impacts of the pressure, select relevant ecosystem elements and parameters from Table 1\n(2)\nInput of microbial pathogens\nInput of genetically modified species and translocation of native species\nLoss of, or change to, natural biological communities due to cultivation of animal or plant species\nDisturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence\nExtraction of, or mortality/injury to, wild species (by commercial and recreational fishing and other activities)\n(3)\nPhysical\nPhysical disturbance to seabed (temporary or reversible)\n(6); (7)\nPhysical loss (due to permanent change of seabed substrate or morphology and to extraction of seabed substrate)\nChanges to hydrological conditions\nSubstances, litter and energy\nInput of nutrients — diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition\n(5)\nInput of organic matter — diffuse sources and point sources\nInput of other substances (e.g. synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances, radionuclides) — diffuse sources, point sources, atmospheric deposition, acute events\n(8); (9)\nInput of litter (solid waste matter, including micro-sized litter)\n(10)\nInput of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous)\n(11)\nInput of other forms of energy (including electromagnetic fields, light and heat)\nInput of water — point sources (e.g. brine)\n2b. Uses and human activities in or affecting the marine environment with particular relevance for points (b) and (c) of Article 8(1) (only activities marked * are relevant for point (c) of Article 8(1)), and Articles 10 and 13\nTheme\nActivity\nPhysical restructuring of rivers, coastline or seabed (water management)\nLand claim\nCanalisation and other watercourse modifications\nCoastal defence and flood protection*\nOffshore structures (other than for oil/gas/renewables)*\nRestructuring of seabed morphology, including dredging and depositing of materials*\nExtraction of non-living resources\nExtraction of minerals (rock, metal ores, gravel, sand, shell)*\nExtraction of oil and gas, including infrastructure*\nExtraction of salt*\nExtraction of water*\nProduction of energy\nRenewable energy generation (wind, wave and tidal power), including infrastructure*\nNon-renewable energy generation\nTransmission of electricity and communications (cables)*\nExtraction of living resources\nFish and shellfish harvesting (professional, recreational)*\nFish and shellfish processing*\nMarine plant harvesting*\nHunting and collecting for other purposes*\nCultivation of living resources\nAquaculture — marine, including infrastructure*\nAquaculture — freshwater\nAgriculture\nForestry\nTransport\nTransport infrastructure*\nTransport — shipping*\nTransport — air\nTransport — land\nUrban and industrial uses\nUrban uses\nIndustrial uses\nWaste treatment and disposal*\nTourism and leisure\nTourism and leisure infrastructure*\nTourism and leisure activities*\nSecurity/defence\nMilitary operations (subject to Article 2(2))\nEducation and research\nResearch, survey and educational activities*",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Substituted by Commission Directive (EU) 2017/845 of 17 May 2017 amending Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the indicative lists of elements to be taken into account for the preparation of marine strategies (Text with EEA relevance)."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudr/2008/56/annex/III",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:22:20.902678+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}