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 maintained
Descriptor 2. Non-indigenous species do not adversely alter the ecosystem
Descriptor 3. The population of commercial fish species is healthy
Descriptor 4. Elements of food webs ensure long-term abundance and reproduction
Descriptor 5. Eutrophication is minimised
Descriptor 6. The sea floor integrity ensures functioning of the ecosystem
Descriptor 7. Permanent alteration of hydrographical conditions does not adversely affect the ecosystem
Descriptor 8. Concentrations of contaminants give no effects
Descriptor 9. Contaminants in seafood are below safe levels
Descriptor 10. Marine litter does not cause harm
Descriptor 11. Introduction of energy (including underwater noise) does not adversely affect the ecosystem
