The group's objective is to provide a summary of data on marine sediment extraction, marine resource and habitat mapping, changes to the legal regime, and research projects relevant to the assessment of environmental effects.
Research into the impacts and effects of marine sediment extraction take place across member countries, and a mix of nationally, regionally, and internationally focussed programmes exist.
Other tasks include those related to databases and harmonization of data, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), deep-sea mining, cultural and geomorphologic values, thresholds for environmental impact assessments (EIAs), mitigation, and cumulative assessment guidance.