Aquatic Ecosystems

Monitoring of regulations

Implement at least four of the following seven criteria:

2.1 Conduct a literature review of the data available on aquatic ecosystems in the participant’s immediate zone of influence and beyond (considering surrounding sensitive habitats as well as industrial, public, and recreational activities). 

Note: See phase I of annex 8-A.   

2.2 Delineate the participant’s immediate zone of influence and map known aquatic ecosystems on and around this zone. 

Note: See phase I of annex 8-A.

2.3 Identify and establish contact with potential organizations and partners that can contribute to building knowledge of the aquatic ecosystems in the participant’s immediate zone of influence and beyond.

2.4 Establish and maintain contact with the relevant government authority to identify and regularly update a list of potential aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the participant’s immediate zone of influence and beyond. Report any new observations of an AIS in a timely manner.

Note: Refer to the EU official list of invasive alien species available on the European Commission “Invasive alien species” webpage. Use the EASIN (JRC) platform to identify potential AIS by country and to report new observations.

2.5 Provide port users up-to-date guidelines for in-water cleaning of commercial ships in port waters and/or raise awareness among recreational boaters by sharing best practices to reduce the introduction and spread of AIS via biofouling.

Note: See reference documents in the Members section of the Green Marine Europe website.

2.6 Ensure all prescribed best practices to minimize the impacts of maintenance and capital dredging on the aquatic environment are implemented during dredging operations (e.g., environmental surveillance by competent port staff or a third party during dredging activities, schedule dredging outside breeding and migration periods of sensitive species).

2.7 Facilitate educational activities or raise awareness among employees, tenants, users, or the community relative to the need for protecting aquatic ecosystems and preventing pollution in port waters.

Implement at least three of the following six criteria:

3.1 Identify potential sources of pollutants associated with the participant’s operations and activities in the immediate zone of influence.

3.2 Carry out a characterization to benchmark the status of aquatic ecosystems in the participant’s immediate zone of influence. 

Note: See phase II of annex 8-A.

3.3 Support government authorities with their response plan to eradicate or reduce the risks of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species (e.g., facilitate access, help implement response plan measures).

Note:  This may also include participation in monitoring programs and implementation of national or European monitoring protocols to detect new aquatic invasive species.

3.4 Organize or actively participate (provide support through financial means, human resources, and/or material and equipment) in a clean-up activity of an aquatic environment in the participant’s immediate zone of influence or beyond to remove macro waste from the water or the shoreline.

3.5 Support scientific research by facilitating access to the port territory for sampling purposes (e.g., aquatic invasive species monitoring, surveys of protected species, or assessments of sensitive habitats) or by participating in an expert working group.

Note: Whenever possible, ensure that environmental data collected through these collaborations are made openly accessible or shared with competent authorities, research institutions, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen transparency and knowledge exchange.

3.6 Implement measures to limit scrubber washwater discharges from ships in port waters.

Implement at least four of the following seven criteria:

4.1 Based on the information gathered in levels 2 and 3, implement an aquatic ecosystem monitoring program in the participant’s immediate zone of influence.

Note: See phase III of annex 8-A.

4.2 Based on the information gathered in levels 2 to 3 and 4.1, develop an aquatic ecosystems management plan which includes an action plan to implement environmentally sustainable solutions.

Note: see Annex 8-B.

4.3 Implement, actively participate in, or financially support a project to restore or develop or enhance a natural or artificial aquatic habitat within the last five years.

Note: A project description must be submitted to Green Marine Europe no later than May 15. See Annex 8-C.

4.4 Collaborate with a research group, technology developer, innovation cluster, academia, or government agency on a research & development project on aquatic ecosystem protection around industrial-port zones (e.g., to monitor, measure, and foster biodiversity, reduce the risk of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species, pollution prevention).

4.5 When contamination levels allow it, reuse dredged sediment in an environmentally beneficial way, either within the port area (e.g., land reclamation, creation of ecological infrastructure) or locally (e.g., beach replenishing, soil restoration, construction materials).

4.6 Actively participate in scientific research or pilot projects aiming to understand and reduce the impact of dredging and dredged sediment management on wildlife and natural habitats.

4.7 Any other measure, practice, or project aiming to improve the condition and/or quality of aquatic ecosystems in the participant’s immediate zone of influence or beyond that is accepted by Green Marine Europe.

Note: A project description must be submitted to Green Marine Europe no later than May 15. See Annex 8-C.

Implement at least three of the following seven criteria:

5.1 In collaboration with local or regional stakeholders, expand the monitoring program implemented at Level 4 and make it a long-term program.

Note: See phase IV of annex 8-A.

5.2 Implement environmentally sustainable solutions identified in the aquatic ecosystem management plan at Level 4.

5.3 Within the last ten years, protect or contribute to protecting an existing natural aquatic habitat of ecological or community value from commercial or industrial development. 

Note: A project description must be submitted to Green Marine Europe by May 15. See Annex 8-C.

5.4 Invest annually in one or more research & development or pre-commercial projects on aquatic ecosystem protection and/or restoration around industrial-port zones (e.g., to monitor, measure, and foster biodiversity, reduce the risk of introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species, pollution prevention).

5.5 Implement measures to reduce maintenance dredging needs (e.g., over-dredging or deflecting structures to minimize sediment deposition).

5.6 Within the last ten years, complete a sediment remediation project at a site under the participant's control.

Note: Such a project may involve removal or treatment of contaminated sediments to improve water or habitat quality for example through dredging and safe disposal, in-situ stabilization, or sediment remediation using environmental dredging or bioremediation techniques.

5.7 Use low-impact environmental dredging techniques for maintenance and capital dredging (e.g., controlled-lift dredgers, auger dredgers, precision suction systems, or sealed-hopper dredgers).