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The Network of Experts for ReDeveloping Models of the European Marine Environment (MEME) is an informal network organized by the DG JRC and DG Environment. It brings together marine scientists and policymakers to use numerical models to support and evaluate the MSFD.
The 'Kick-off workshop of the Network of Experts for ReDeveloping Models of the European Marine Environment: Eutrophication modelling and Descriptor 5 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive' was held on 20-21 January 2016 in Brussels, Belgium, jointly organized by DG Environment and JRC. The aim of this workshop was to learn about existing modelling work and to draw lessons for the build-up of the European modelling effort. In this context, the workshop consisted of 18 presentations on the use of marine ecosystem models to address indicators within Descriptor 5 of the MFSD in coastal zones and European regional seas, including assessment, indicator development and scenario building. Some other descriptors were also covered by the presentations and discussions. The workshop also served as the inception meeting of the newly created informal network of experts on the Modelling of the European Marine Environment (MEME). The participants were invited to join the network DG Environment and DG JRC emphasizing the added value of a joint effort to further develop modelling capabilities with the objective of providing useful advice for policy makers. This was well received by the attendants. Report on Kick-off workshop
The aim of this workshop was to continue the information exchange between the Commission and marine modelling experts. Another important objective of this initiative is to narrow the gap between modellers and decision makers in order to better exploit the full utility of models. In this context, the workshop consisted of 17 presentations covering the wide use of marine ecosystem models to address several indicators of the MFSD in coastal zones and European regional seas, including assessment, indicator development and scenario building. Report on the second workshop
Contributions addressed innovative modelling approaches in coastal zones and European regional seas using ecosystem/food web modelling for assessment, indicator development and scenario building in support of MSFD implementation. One aim of the workshop was to learn about existing work and to draw lessons for the build-up of the European modelling effort. Another important objective of this initiative was to narrow the gap between modellers and decision makers in order to better exploit the full utility of models. Researchers from around the EU and the world provided a total of 17 presentations. Report on the third workshop
The focus this year was on the links between land-based management options and their impact on different aspects of the marine ecosystems downstream. A multi-model ensemble approach was followed in which different marine models for the diverse EU basins were fed with common rivers' load scenarios based on a set of pre-defined pressures at continental level. Both low-trophic level models and high-trophic level models were involved in the exercise to increase confidence in the results and to assess the uncertainty associated to model structure and deficiencies. In total 19 research groups from different MS institutions provided 13 low-trophic levels models and 9 high-trophic levels models to the ENSEMBLE. General and basin specific conclusions on the impacts of the freshwater scenarios on descriptors associated to the MSFD were drawn from the different simulations. Report on the fourth workshop
The workshop hosted dedicated expert workshops targeting the life cycle of plastic pollution in European seas:
This workshop, as part of the Deliverable 1.2 “Expansion of the ecosystems models for the North Western European Seas and for the South Western European Seas” of the AA, focused on the high trophic levels (HTL) modelling of the North East Atlantic (NEA) regions. The goal was to learn about existing work, using the software EwE, in coastal/continental shelf/deep areas, and assess the potentiality of the models to be used for policy scenarios testing. Part of the discussion was on models set-up (for the policy scenarios) and on possible collaborations to implement a regional NEA HTL model.
Report on the sixth meeting
Seven European socio‑economic and scientific experts gathered for three days (3–5 March 2026) to support the JRC’s Blue2 ecosystem‑modelling framework with possible cost‑benefit analysis (CBA) for marine policy. The workshop highlighted the need to set up a standardized database with a minimum set of physical and socio-economic indicators, including business indicators such as costs, revenues, and operating leverage, as well as ecosystem service indicators, to ensure comprehensive assessment of bycatch, marine litter and eutrophication. Critical data gaps were identified for diffuse land‑based cost information, prompting the creation of a cross‑directorate working group.
27 May 2026 | 24 Jul 2026
