Consultation Start: 27 March 2012
Consultation End: 18 June 2012

For the UK, the directive is part of a package of policies, united by our vision for ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive, and biologically diverse oceans and seas’. The directive’s aims are consistent with this vision and current policies, such as the implementation of the Marine and Coastal Access Act, and the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy will play a major role in helping us achieve Good Environmental Status (GES).

The directive is very wide-ranging and sets out eleven descriptors of GES relating to biological diversity, non-indigenous species introductions, commercially exploited fish and shellfish populations, food webs, human-induced eutrophication, sea floor integrity, hydrographical conditions, concentrations of contaminants, contaminants in fish and other seafood, litter, and noise.

Further Information
Find more information on the MSFD including consultation Q&A and factsheets from the link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/03/27/marine-strategy-framework-1203/