Report on the Kick-off workshop of the Network of Experts for ReDeveloping Models of the European Marine Environment

The ‘Kick-off workshop of the Network of Experts for ReDeveloping Models of the European Marine Environment. Eutrophication modelling and Descriptor 5 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive’ was held on 20-21 January 2016 in Brussels, Belgium, jointly organized by DG Environment and DG JRC (IES –Water Resources Unit) within the framework of the Administrative Arrangement NoENV.C.2/2015/070201/705766 (Deliverable 2.2) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MFSD). The aim of this workshop was to learn about existing modelling work and to draw lessons for the build-up of the European modelling effort. In this context, the workshop consisted of 18 presentations on the use of marine ecosystem models to address indicators within the Eutrophication descriptor (D5) of the MFSD in coastal zones and European regional seas, including assessment, indicator development and scenario building. Some other descriptors were also covered by the presentations and discussions. The presentations dealt with (1) South European regional seas (Black and Mediterranean Seas), (2) Atlantic shelf areas, (3) North Sea and Baltic Sea and (4) General lectures. The workshop also served as the inception meeting of the newly created informal network of experts on the Modelling of the European Marine Environment (MEME). The participants were invited to join the network DG Environment and DG JRC emphasizing the added value of a joint effort to further develop modelling capabilities with the objective of providing useful advice for policy makers. This was well received by the attendants. This report summarizes the workshop and provides further detail on the presentations, discussion and conclusions.JRC.H.1-Water Resource