The analysis concerns the assessment of the overall state of the coastal and transitional waters of the Western Channel and the Bay of Biscay. It results from the combination of the ecological status and the chemical status of each water body according to the rules of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The most recent assessment of the state is presented in the DCE Loire-Bretagne atlas. Earlier reports are available in annual archives.

The inventory of national marine habitats in mainland France was undertaken at the request of the Ministry for Sustainable Development. Its primary objective is to meet local requirements with regards to designation of sites of ecological importance which are joining the European Natura 2000 Network as part of the “Habitat, fauna, flora” directive (DHFF) from 1992.

The aim of this project is to develop an eco-physiological model to predict production flow of certain species of planktonic Foraminifera, which are representative of the main ecological system, as well as their habitat (depth, season), from climate forcing. The eco-physiological and geochemical/isotopic characteristics must be determined by the data obtained during cruises. The data from closing nets and sediment traps will be used to evaluate flows from different Foraminifera and the acquisition of their isotope and geochemical signals according to the depth of their habitat and their development cycle. The project is linked to ANR FORCLIM (coordinator L.Labeyrie, LSCE). Data is organised into two parts : 1/ measurements of physiochemical and biogeochemical parameters in the water column ; inventory of planktonic Foraminifera - 2/ Measurements of biogeochemical parameters and the interface between sediment and water: inventory of benthic Foraminifera fauna. The campaign is connected to the STEEPL Observation Service (Temporal monitoring of benthic and planktonic ecosystems in the Landes plateau) – OSUNA funding (Nantes Angers Sciences of the Universe Observatory).

The aim of these measures is to monitor the relative distribution and abundance of cetaceans and marine birds from Ifremer/IEO fisheries campaigns on board the Thalassa oceanographic vessel. These measures are also used to determine these predators’ favourite habitats thanks to the ecosystem approach of the campaigns (distribution and abundance of pelagic fish, plankton and physical parameters).

To produce marine bird indicators of the ecological state of the French coasts (functioning, Marine protected Areas, etc.) To structure monitoring works carried out on the French coasts as a network To extend the sectors involved to all coasts, beyond the borders of the Interreg Atlantic Arc (project for 2013) To study the distribution of marine birds along French coasts To identify functional sites To identify areas of high concentration and, in other cases, marine Important Bird Areas To list the currents Marine Protected Areas (N2000 en mer, Marine parks, Nature reserves)

Although the DYFAMED site is near the coast (28 nautical miles from Nice), it is a model site as it is representative of ocean conditions, and is now recognized as a benchmark for oceanographic observation (OceanSITES). DYFAMED-BENTHOS temporal monitoring which took place in parallel with DYFAMED water column monitoring aimed to study the connection between pelagic and benthic environments, and the benthic response to environmental modifications at depths of over 2300m in the north western Mediterranean. For 12 consecutive years (1991 – 2003), the interface between water and sediment was mainly sampled using multiple core samples, and was studied from a physical, biogeochemical and biological perspective (with an emphasis on Meiofauna), as often as possible, particularly during as “high frequency” period, which included almost monthly sampling ( 7 – 10 campaigns per year) between, 1993 and 1997. At the same time, particle flow was measured both in the water column (DYFAMED monitoring) and close to the sea floor (DYFAMED-BENTHOS monitoring) using particle traps.

Occurrence data for marine mammals, birds and other marine megafauna collected by Megascope on fishing and oceanographic surveys (date, position, species).