HELCOM as an International HELCOM as an International Tool of Environmental Tool of Environmental

Protection of the Baltic SeaProtection of the Baltic Sea

MieczysMieczysłław S. Ostojski, Ph.D.aw S. Ostojski, Ph.D.

Chairman, Helsinki CommissionChairman, Helsinki Commission28 May 2007, Senate of Poland28 May 2007, Senate of Poland

Contents

• Introduction HELCOM

• Main environmental problems

• Sound scientific advice a pre-condition for implementing an ecosystem approach

• Baltic Sea Action Plan

• Conclusions

HELCOM

• Helsinki Commission (HELCOM)

– Governing body of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area

– Major body of the international environmental co-operation in the Baltic region

• Main task: to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution

• 10 Contracting Parties (9 Baltic Sea Coastal States and the European Community)

• International co-operation since 1974 (new Convention signed in 1992)

How do we do it?

• Joint initiatives of the Baltic Sea States within international organisations (EU, IMO)

• Harmonised, where needed strictest, implementation of international environmental regulations

• Baltic regional actions:

– measures (Convention, Recommendations, Ministerial Declarations)

– joint initiatives and projects

Baltic SeaMain environmental problems

• Eutrophication caused by excessive nutrient inputs

• Hazardous substances

• Environmental risks related to increasing maritime and offshore activities

• Decline of biodiversity and habitats

Eutrophication - Input of nutrients

Load per capita of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Baltic Sea, averaged for 1997-2003

Nitrogen, loads per capita

0.00

5.00

10.00

15.00

20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00kg

/ind

Phosphorud, loads per capita

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

kg/in

d

EutrophicationChanges in the environment

• Nitrogen x 2.4

• Phosphorus x 3.1

• Total N 20-50%

• Total P 80-150%

• Biomass productivity x 2.5

Inputs

Concentrations

Impact

Decline of biodiversity and habitats

Changes in eelgrass density and epiphyte biomass with increasing eutrophication.

Pictures by Nanna Rask (Funen County) and Georg Martin (University of Tartu).

Concentration of Hazardous Substances

The dioxin content in herring muscle at different fishing grounds (HELCOM 2004).

Maritime Activities and related risk to the environment

Number and location of shipping accidents, 2006

HELCOM’s achievements

• Harmonized monitoring programmes in the Baltic Sea States

• Reduced inputs of nutrients and hazardous substances (especially from point sources)

• Advanced measures in place to reduce environmental effects of shipping

• Proven preparedness to respond to pollution incidents

• Network of Baltic Sea Protected Areas• Improving status of populations of:

– white-tailed eagle– cormorant– Baltic wild salmon– seals (in northern areas of the Baltic)

Still a clear need for further actions

• Long time until the effects of measures taken are seen in the environment

• Limited legislative power by the Contracting Parties and HELCOM in some sectors of major importance e.g.

– Agriculture (EU Common Agriculture Policy)

– Fisheries (EU Common Fisheries Policy)

• ”not perfect” implementation of agreed measures in the Contracting Parties

VISION: A healthy Baltic Sea environment, with diverse biological components functioning in balance, resulting in a good ecological status and supporting a wide range of sustainable human economic and social activities

Healthy Baltic

Sea

Healthy Baltic

Sea

Good ecological status

Good ecological status

Wide range of sustainable

economic and social activities

Wide range of sustainable

economic and social activities

Diverse biological components

functioning in balance

Diverse biological components

functioning in balance

Policies and actions for managing human

activities

Policies and actions for managing human

activities

From Vision to the Baltic Sea Action PlanUnique opportunities and a showcase for other regional marine programmes

• Utilizes well established regional co-operation and wide stakeholder participation (government level, industry representatives, NGOs etc.)

• Based on good scientific environmental knowledge

• Well interlinked with national and international activities:– Plan recognised by EC as pilot case for regional

implementation of European Marine Strategy,– input to the River Basin Management Plans.

• Uniform environmental legislation in large part of the catchment area

• High public awareness

BSAP - Eutrophication Water clarity indicator and tentative targets

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

BothnianBay

BothnianSea

BalticProper

Gulf ofFinland

Gulf of Riga Kattegat

Sec

chi

dep

th (

m)

Pristine

Contemporary

Target

BSAP - Eutrophication Example scenario water clarity for the open sea

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Bothnian Bay Baltic Proper Gulf of Finland

%

Reduction of N Reduction of P

effect on nitrogen fixation and primary production

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

Bothnian Bay Baltic Proper Gulf of Finland

%

Reduction of NF Reduction of PP

required total reduction for the Baltic Sea: 35 % P and 10% N

BSAP – EutrophicationResponse to needed reductions

• Possibilities to speed up implementation of the existing EU legislation (e.g. UWWTD);

• Integration of identified Baltic needs into River Basin Management Plans and national programmes;

• Introduction of phosphorous-free detergents,

• Input to the health check of the EU CAP,• A palette of measures in agriculture to

choose from according to the sub-regional needs…

Timeline

• 2003 adoption of Ecosystem Approach at HELCOM level

• 2005 decision to develop a Baltic Sea Action Plan

• 15.11.2007 adoption of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan including objectives, targets, actions (Ministers of Environment)

• 2009 adoption of River Basin Management Plans

• 2016 development of programmes of measures to achieve good environmental status of

the marine environment (draft EU Directive on marine strategy)

ConclusionsHELCOM’s role in the Baltic

• Major environmental player in the Baltic sea region

• Continuous cooperation of 9 states and EU for over 30 years

• Proven achievements in addressing environmental challenges

• Centre of knowledge - HELCOM regularly produces targeted, timely and scientifically sound assessments

ConclusionsRecipe for success of the Baltic Sea Action Plan

• Use of common Baltic knowledge and priorities in regional, EU and global policy making

• Baltic Sea environmental needs should be taken into account in all policies and programmes implemented in the Baltic Sea region

• Strong commitment by the Baltic Sea Coastal States to finalise and implement the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan– political commitment

– financial commitment

– provision of sufficient human resources

Thank you!

For more information please contact:

Helsinki Commission(HELCOM)Katajanokanlaituri 6 BFI-00160 Helsinki Finland

www.helcom.fi