Good Environmental Status is a qualitative description of the state of the seas that the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires its Member States to achieve or maintain by the year 2020. Good Environmental Status is described by 11 Descriptors:
Descriptor 1. Biodiversity is maintainedDescriptor 2. Non-indigenous species do not adversely alter the ecosystemDescriptor 3. The population of commercial fish species is healthyDescriptor 4. Elements of food webs ensure long-term abundance and reproductionDescriptor 5. Eutrophication is minimisedDescriptor 6. The sea floor integrity ensures functioning of the ecosystemDescriptor 7. Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect the ecosystemDescriptor 8. Concentrations of contaminants give no effectsDescriptor 9. Contaminants in seafood are below safe levelsDescriptor 10. Marine litter does not cause harmDescriptor 11. Introduction of energy (including underwater noise) does not adversely affect the ecosystem