The Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM), through its Director-General, José Simão, chaired the meeting of Marine Directors under the European Presidency.

The meeting was attended by the European Commission, the various Member States and representatives of various Directorates General of the European Commission: Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Environment and Climate. Representatives of several regional conventions also participated, highlighting for its geographical importance, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR).

The revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was one of the most important points under discussion, which will take into account the assessment carried out in 2020 on the good environmental status of the ocean, carried out by all the Member States as part of their state obligations under this directive.

The review process was widely debated by the Member States and the European Commission explained how it is analysing and evaluating the implementation of the MSFD in the previous cycle and the results obtained, and will propose its revision in order to make it more agile, more effective and more comprehensive. The directive will also undergo a major evolution in terms of environmental descriptors, mandatory monitoring and applicable criteria.

The Action Plan for the conservation of fisheries resources, the protection of marine ecosystems and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) were also points of major importance in the session, demonstrating the need and desire of the Member States for greater coordination of the Marine Directors with the Fisheries Directors.

The main funding instruments for the next support framework were also addressed, namely possible projects for FEAMPA and LIFE. There was also space for the presentation and discussion of recovery plans and resilience of the various Member States, with special focus on aspects of the Blue Economy.

The meeting took place on 14 and 15 June and also included, as usual, a component on water directors, responsibility of the Portuguese Environment Agency, whose work was coordinated by its president.