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Water & marine issues

There are to key areas of policy regarding water and marine issues in Europe:

The EU Water Framework Directive

This has provided a powerful framework that compels member states to ensure good ecological condition for all rivers, lakes and coastal water by 2015, including the development of River Basin Management Plans.

The potential for conserving and restoring key habitats for wild plants and algae is immense but as with all legislation the benefits for wild plants and their habitats will depend on how the law is implemented on the ground.

The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive

This compels EU member states to ensure good ecological status of marine waters by 2020 in cooperation with other member states within marine regions. This is to be achieved through assessment of ecological status by 2012, development of marine strategies, and the development of marine protected areas. Projects such as the UK’s Important Plant Areas for Algae provide essential data for making sure all available ecological data is considered.