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A special themed issue of Science for Environment Policy focusing on water and biodiversity is now available to download, free, from: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/22si....

Over-fishing, pollution and invasive species are all significant threats to aquatic and marine ecosystems and policy measures to protect life in our waters must be scientifically sound in order to deal with the complexity of such pressures. The research featured in this issue can help policy makers understand biodiversity in water and different ways in which human activity can be managed to ensure both wildlife and humans benefit from healthy ecosystems.

The articles offer easy-to-read summaries of key studies in the field, to give a comprehensive view of the latest developments. They explore topics including:

· How can we design marine reserves to benefit both fisheries and conservation?

· Are deep-sea ecosystems being damaged by commercial fishing in shallower waters?

· How much are the public willing to pay to protect river biodiversity?

A number of EU polices and directives aim to improve the biodiversity in European waters. For example, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive aims to achieve good environmental status of the EU's marine waters by 2020 and to protect the resources upon which many economic and social activities depend.  This in line with the objectives of the 2000 Water Framework Directive 2000 which requires surface freshwater and ground water bodies - such as lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters - to be ecologically sound by 2015.