The report produced under the European MISTIC SEAS II project on the environmental status of cetaceans, birds and sea turtles in Macaronesia, designated as Macaronesian Roof Report, is under public consultation until February 22.
 
This document contains a description of the species and criteria assessed in the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries as well as the compilation of the results obtained during the implementation of pilot monitoring programmes for mammals, birds and sea turtles in the three Macaronesian archipelagos. It includes additional information from other environmental management projects and programmes.
 
The authorities responsible for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in Macaronesia have been working since 2014 to coordinate the works towards the achievement and maintenance of the good environmental status of the European Union's marine waters by 2020.
 
The Macaronesian Roof Report will serve as a basis for compliance with the MSFD on the part of the competent authorities of Portugal and Spain, namely with regard to the obligations set under Article 17.
 
This report results from the involvement of the scientific community of the three archipelagos and the implementation of monitoring programmes that were jointly defined by teams of researchers and the competent authorities of the three regions.
 
MISTIC SEAS II is a project funded by the European Commission through DG-ENV under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). It is coordinated by the Azores, through the Regional Found for Science and Technology, and the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs is the designated sectoral authority, being the entity responsible for compliance with the MSFD in the Region.
 
The scientific technical support is provided by the University of the Azores, IMAR Research Centre and the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA).
 
The report is under public consultation until February 22 and may be accessed on the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs page or directly at the link http://www.azores.gov.pt/NR/rdonlyres/8E0FC63E-9E0E-48A1-96C7 B8E134AF93E3/1106463/MacaronesianRoofReport_PT_2018.pdf.
 
The contributions of all interested parties should be submitted to [email protected].