MAELSTROM Objective 1: Integrated assessment of the cleaning operations effectiveness and their impacts

The first objective of the H2020 MAELSTROM Project is in support of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and it aims at defining and implementing an Integrated Assessment Approach (IAA) to evaluate the effectiveness of ML remediation actions and their positive and/or negative impacts on marine coastal ecosystems and local economies. The IAA will consider both macro litter and microplastics, and it will include seafloor ML, as well as surface and water column ML. The IAA will integrate and operationalize knowledge and data related to ML sources, ML dispersion and fate, ML accumulation in hot spots, negative impacts on coastal ecosystems’ food chains, biodiversity and functioning, Marine Protected Areas, wildlife and the coastal and maritime sectors relevant for local economies. The IAA will also help improving marine and coastal spatial planning, conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems in support of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, delivering concrete benefits for maritime growth and sustainability in Europe.