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2.4.3.      Transitional water bodies

Transitional waters are those waters between the land and the sea and include fjords, estuaries, lagoons, deltas and rias. They often encompass river mouths and show the transition from freshwater to marine conditions. Depending on the tidal influence from coastal waters, but also on the freshwater influence from upstream, transitional waters are often characterised by frequently changing salinity.

Transitional waters are the sites of major cities and harbours (ports) and these waters historically have been degraded by port activities, by pollution from urban, industrial and agricultural areas, and by land claim for sea defences, building and agriculture.

Fifteen Member States reported from 77 RBDs transitional water bodies. In total 953 transitional water bodies with an area greater than 17 300 km² has been reported by Member States. Five countries; United Kingdom, Spain, France. Italy and Ireland;  reported more than 90 % of the transitional water bodies and more than 70 % of transitional area.

The average size/area of the reported transitional WBs is 18 km². Five Member States had average size of transitional water bodies greater than 100 km².