HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan – progress on the eve of the
2013 Ministerial Meeting
Monika StankiewiczHELCOM Executive Secretary
Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission
The 22nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference
26 August 2013, Pärnu, Estonia
TASKS:•To evaluate the effectiveness of the 2007 Baltic Sea Action Plan, for eutrophication, hazardous substances, biodiversity and maritime activities:
– national implementation programmes (NIPs)– regional, joint actions
•To review progress towards a healthy Baltic Sea for•Based on the above, adjustment of the BSAP and update of targets - adaptive management
What is the eutrophication status of the Baltic now and in a longer time perspective?
Integrated status, 2003-2007Anoxic bottoms, 1897-2006
Tackling eutrophication - Linking ecological objectives to Nutrient Reduction Scheme
Non-eutrophicated water
Eutrophicated
water
How much nutrient inputs need to be reduced to the Baltic Sea?
New improved figures 2013:- P: 15 176 tons (41%)- N: 118 134 tons (13%)
2007:- P: 15 250 tons - N: 135 000 tons
When will the Baltic Sea be healthy?
Fulfillment of HELCOM nutrient reduction targets starts in year 0
Nutrient inputs remain at the level prior the Baltic Sea Action Plan – no reductions
Concentration of phosphorous
Nitrogen fixation in Gulf of Finland – indicative of blue-green algae
HELCOMTarget level
Source: Baltic Nest Institute Sweden
Progress in reduction of nitrogen (waterborne)
Baltic Proper
Guld of Finland Baltic Sea – 9%
Kattegat
trend line
Progress in reduction of phosphorous (waterborne)
Baltic Proper Gulf of Riga
Baltic Sea – 10%
Gulf of Finland
trend line
Transboundary pollution to the Baltic
Baltic Sea shipping
North Sea shipping
- Riverine (Belarus, Ukraine, Czech)- Airborne (non-HELCOM countries, sources at
sea)
- tons
Maritime activities in the upcoming Ministerial Meeting
• Safety of navigation and emergency response– Risk assessments of shipping accidents– Recommendation on e-navigation – Hydrographic Re-surveys– Building capacities to respond to pollution at sea, places
of refuge
• Special area for sewage discharges from passenger ships
• Emissions– Green Technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for
Shipping– NOx Emission Control Area (NECA)
• Ballast Water Management Convention• Regional Maritime Spatial Planning Road Map (in
cooperation with VASAB)
2013 HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea Species in danger of becoming extinct
1753 assessed species•8.3% red-listed, incl.:-> 29% fish-> 37% birds-> 71% mammals
The reasons behind the species’ current situation:•Eutrophication•Fishing•Construction•By-catch in fisheries•Alien species
Impact of climate change and adaptation
• We are already living in a changing climate• HELCOM-BALTEX cooperation has produced
assessment of climate change implication on the marine environment
• Impacts of climate change may undermine efforts to reach good environmental status – even more stringent /supplementary measures needed in the future e.g. measures to reach nutrient reduction targets
Concluding remarks
• Full and timely implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan will lead us to a healthy Baltic Sea
• Overall benefits of reducing nutrients (M€ 3600 - 4000 annually) clearly exceed its costs (M€ 1400 - 2800 annually) (BalticStern)
• Baltic Sea region – a strong case for collaboration between countries and with sectors
• Climate change will affect the scope of measures
• The Baltic Sea a forerunner in environmental protection combined with green innovations
• Decisions need to be matched with sufficient financing