The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) better known as MSFD was adopted and came into force in 2008. Just like all the member states of the European Union bordering the sea, Belgium has to develop a marine strategy to achieve a "good environmental status" of its marine waters by 2020 in order to protect the marine environment, to prevent deterioration and to repair, where possible, the damage that has already been done to marine ecosystems.

The Marine Environmental Service of the Federal Public Service Health, Food chain safety and Environment coordinates the different steps of the implementation of the MSFD. In addition, OD Nature, with our group MUMM, is in charge of defining and implementing the monitoring programmes of the MSFD.