Science for Good Environmental Status: A European Joint Action to Support Marine Policy

In the last decade, several initiatives have been taken at a European level to adopt Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) by promoting coordination and stimulating integrated actions leading consistent views on its final goal: achievement of good environmental status (GES). holistic approach, MSFD fully acknowledges complexity variability marine ecosystems demands constant scientific support for actual implementation. Recently, Joint Programming Initiative “Healthy Productive Seas Oceans” (JPI Oceans) launched joint action “Science Good Environmental Status” (Science4GES), building contribution different disciplines communities better fulfill scope MSFD. this paper we illustrate discuss few crucial aspects endeavors implement specifically implied in definition metrics 11 descriptors GES complexity, as well improving strategy governing This presentation also describes challenges, aims implementation plan JPI-O action, where transdisciplinary approach may help progressing from comprehensive far-reaching vision durable GES.