Nowadays, ports are introducing changes in the management policies, moving towards the use of models in which economic and environmental factors are considered indicators of development. The conflict between the need to prioritise the development of specific economic activities and the fulfilment of the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) was solved by the introduction of the 'heavily modified water bodies' concept that justifies a reduction in environmental objectives to fulfil those considered of 'good ecological potential'. Harbour waters are recognized as heavily modified water bodies, whose development implies hydromorphological changes in the water bodies and make it impossible to achieve a good ecological status whilst such uses remain active.PORTONOVO intends to obtain specific scientific results of high quality by standardizing a methodology for water quality management in port areas all over the AA. For that purpose, it intends to use management tools combining social, economic, legal, technical and environmental requirements regarding the WFD. It also aims to review the European, State and Regional water quality standards, develop a classification and evaluation methodology for the port water bodies and establish a general framework for port water bodies Environmental Risk Assessment.Methodology 5.1 ROM 'Quality of coastal waters in port areas', published by the Spanish National Port Administration in collaboration with the University of Cantabria, integrated a port management model regarding water quality to provide authorities with an effective management tool in accordance with the methodology established by the WFD. This project was designed with the aim to transfer this methodology, initially designed for the Spanish ports, to the AA ports. Some ports with different activities and environmental socio-economic characteristics were selected in the AA in order to validate this methodology through its application in case studies. Achievements: This project has developed a methodology that has been validated in strategic points of the Atlantic Area (Port of Falmouth, Belfast, Bordeaux, Cherbourg, Aveiro, Portimao, Huelva, Santander).Among the results of the project is the installation of a Decision Support System (DSS).Information on achievements is available on the projects web site: http://www.ihcantabria.com/en/item/363