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