The WFD monitoring requirements for surface waters were adapted to the coastal area with the selection of the relevant parameters to qualify the maritime ecosystems, with appropriate strategies of sampling. Ifremer and Cemagref for the fish indicator in the estuarine waters, are in charge of the elaboration of the monitoring programme in coastal waters (surveillance monitoring and operational monitoring). Ifremer has elaborated technical recommendations for the monitoring of the biological (benthic and phytoplanctonic) and chemical elements, according to many years of observations by the french monitoring networks (RNO, Rephy, Rinbio, RSL, Rebent). These recommendations were established within experts groups They clarify the parameters, the analytical methods, and the strategies of sampling for the classification of the water bodies in five ecological classes and two chemical classes. The work on the relevant indicators of the ecological status still goes on, in relation with the 2006 european intercalibration exercise. Available data and future data will be used in order to set the borders between the classes of high, good, and moderate status, before the monitoring programme starts. Data sets have to be completed to set the borders and to assess the ecological status of water bodies.