OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH NEEDS ARISING FROM KEY MARINE/ MARITIME POLICY DOCUMENTS

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1 1 ANNEX 1a BONUS / Academy of Finland Elina Nikkola / OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH NEEDS ARISING FROM KEY MARINE/ MARITIME POLICY DOCUMENTS Background One core task of BONUS during its Strategic Phase is to develop a policy-driven Strategic Research Agenda. The long term objective is to develop and implement of 'fit-for-purpose' regulations, policies and management practices, to respond effectively to the major environmental and key societal challenges which the region faces and will face in the coming years. The following overview summarises the research needs arising from key marine/ maritime related policy documents. Policy framework: page Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU (SEC(2007)1278)... 2 Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC)... 2 A European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research (2008)... 2 EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (COM(2009)248 final) and Action Plan (SEC(2009)712/2)... 3 HELCOM BSAP Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) (COM(2008)791 final)... 4 The Water Framework Directive (2001/42/EC)... 4 Common Fisheries Policy (ECNo2371(2002))+ the Common Fisheries Policy the Green paper (COM(2009)163 final... 4 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity (Resolution VII/5):... 5 EC Communication on a strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture (COM(2002)511 final) + EC Communication: Building a sustainable future for aquaculture (COM(2009)162 final)... 6 EC White Paper: Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action: Climate change and water, coasts and marine issues (SEC(2009)386)... 6

2 2 Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU (SEC(2007)1278) Action plan themes (relevant): - maritime spatial planning and ICZM - European marine observation and data network - maritime transport - air pollution by ships - action on marine-based energy infrastructures and resources - implementation of the ecosystem approach in European fisheries (especially CFP), elimination of discards and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, action on destructive fishing practices - European marine and maritime research - action on mitigation and adaptation to climate change (action on risk reduction policies and their economic impacts; coastal regions; carbon capture and storage) - sustainable maritime tourism - improving socio-economic data for maritime sectors and maritime regions Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) General: Provision should be made for the preparation at national level of an appropriate framework, including marine research and monitoring operations, for informed policymaking - protect and preserve the marine environment, prevent its deterioration and restore marine ecosystems - prevent and reduce inputs in the marine environment (no risks to marine bd, marine ecosystems, human health) - ecosystem approach should be applied to the management of human activities Good environmental status (qualitative descriptors, relevant): - non indigenous species - commercially exploited fish - eutrophication - oxygen deficiency - concentration of contaminants - marine litter - energy including underwater noise A European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research (2008) - to create a better integration between marine and maritime research (e.g. cleaner and more efficient marine engines, better vessels design, optimal logistics of traffic flows, safety and security of maritime activities, image of shipping) - to improve interactions between marine and maritime research rather than specifically addressing well established research sectors General: A purely sectoral and thematic approach to research is no longer sufficient

3 3 The strategy requires the design of an effective and innovative research governance framework that engages scientists, policy-makers and the public, so as to achieve shared understanding and informed decision making based on sound scientific knowledge A concerted dialog between the scientific community and maritime policy makers is important 1) Capacity building: encouraging the development of new means to achieve more ambitious goals in research - developing sustainable support for the specialized pan-european research infrastructures 2) Integration across established marine and maritime research disciplines (networking and information exchange) - identifying cross-thematic research objectives (climate change, transport, energy, biotechnology, environment and food etc) - providing for closer integration and more efficient user of marine data bases - optimizing the use of existing research infrastructures Major research topics: - climate change and the oceans - Impact of human activities on coastal and marine ecosystems and their management - Ecosystem approach to resource management and spatial planning - marine biodiversity and biotechnology - continental margins and deep sea - operational oceanography and marine technology - exploitation of marine renewable energy resources 3) Synergies with and between MSs, regions and industry sectors EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (COM(2009)248 final) and Action Plan (SEC(2009)712/2) - to enable a sustainable environment - to enhance the region s prosperity - to increase accessibility and attractiveness - to ensure safety and security in the region Main issues concerning the marine environment: - pollution by nutrients, (N and P) - algae blooms => oxygen depletion - human activities (fishing, agriculture) => ecosystem based management approach AP s (relevant) priority areas: - to reduce nutrient inputs to the sea to acceptable levels - to preserve natural zones and biodiversity including fisheries - to reduce the use and impact of hazardous substances - to become a model region for clean shipping - to mitigate and adapt to climate change - to exploit the full potential of the region in research and innovation - to reinforce sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishing - to improve internal and external transport links - to become a leading region in maritime safety and security - to reinforce protection from major emergencies at sea and on land

4 4 HELCOM BSAP 2007 To have a Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication (water- and airborne nutrient load) To reach good environmental status in the Baltic Sea To reach favourable conservation status of biodiversity To achieve a Baltic Sea with life undisturbed by hazardous substances The strategic goal of HELCOM is to have maritime activities in the Baltic Sea carried out in an environmentally friendly way Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) (COM(2008)791 final) General: Different sectoral interests, e.g. shipping and maritime transport, offshore energy, ports development, fisheries and aquaculture and environmental concerns Climate change, in particular the rise of sea levels, acidification, increasing water temperature and frequency of extreme weather events Three dimensions of MSP: on the sea bed; in the water column; on the surface Important issues: Stakeholder participation Coordination within MSs Incorporating monitoring and evaluation in the planning process Achieving coherence between terrestrial and maritime spatial planning relation with ICZM The Water Framework Directive (2001/42/EC) Prevents further deterioration and protects and enhances the status of aquatic ecosystems and with regard to their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands Promotes sustainable water use Aims at enhanced protection and improvement of the aquatic environment Ensures the progressive reduction of pollution of groundwater Contributes to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts More research needs in the implementation of national river basin management plans, e.g.: - economic analysis (costs and benefits) in water management - impacts of climate change in water management planning process - capacity building Common Fisheries Policy (ECNo2371(2002))+ the Common Fisheries Policy the Green paper (COM(2009)163 final Ensure exploitation for living aquatic resources that provides sustainable economic, environmental and social conditions The revision of the CFP has to address major challenges of i) climate change, ii) financial crises and iii) increasing shortage of protein supply worldwide. It has to address 5 structural failures of the present CFP: i) fleet overcapacity, ii) imprecise policy objectives, iii) decision-making system with short-term focus, iv) insufficient responsibility by industry and v) poor compliance and lack of political will to ensure it.

5 5 According to the 2002 revision of the CFP: The objective of the CFP should be to provide for sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources and of aquaculture in the context of sustainable development, taking account of the environmental, economic and social aspects in a balanced manner. (Council regulation 2371/2002). The Green paper states, that no priority is set for these objectives and, while direct references are made to adopting a precautionary and an ecosystem approach, it is not clear how this relates to economic and social conditions. The economic and social viability of fisheries, however, can only result from restoring the productivity of fish stocks. There is, therefore, no conflict between ecological, economic and social objectives in the long term. Overarching objectives of the new revision are i) Implementation of the MSY concept (COM (2006) 360) and ii) contributing to the ecosystem approach to marine management within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as environmental pillar of the Integrated Maritime Policy (COM (2008) 187). The ecosystem approach to marine management, covering all sectors, should be implemented through the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. However, COM(2008)187 gives a broader objectives in line with the Integrated Marine Management (IMM) (COM (2007) 575): An ecosystem approach to fisheries management is about ensuring goods and services from living aquatic resources for present and future generations within meaningful ecological boundaries. Another cornerstone of the coming CFP revision is encouraging the industry to take responsibility through co- or self management. Rights based management has proven to be successful in adapting capacity and improve economy. However, it requires i) simplification of technical regulations, also to close down conflicting measures, ii) avoiding a continuous stream of new regulations, as this will undermine the possibility for self management and puts the responsibility back to managers, iii) common standards in MS, as multi-national fisheries will be very difficult to manage in a mixed management model and iv) the social objectives of the CFP are closely coupled to the local small-scale sector. The revised CFP will have focus on region specific management, which will help to i) develop ecologically and socially sustainable management plans, ii) introduction of co- and self management, iii) implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management and iv) assist in the development of integrated marine management. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity (Resolution VII/5): Aim: To halt the loss of marine and coastal biological diversity nationally, regionally and globally and secure its capacity to provide goods and services Programme elements (relevant): - to promote the application of ecosystem-based management, including through integration for coastal management activities and watershed management - to assist the development of national and regional capacity-building - to promote action to reduce and control sea-based sources of pollution - to take measures to reduce by-catch - to promote the identification of key habitats for marine living resources on a regional basis, with a view to further develop policies for action to prevent physical alteration and destruction of these habitats, and pursue restoration of degraded habitats, including, inter alia, coral reef systems. - to promote the establishment or strengthening of mechanisms for research, monitoring and assessment of marine and coastal ecosystems and their living resources. - to promote exchange of information and experience using the clearing-house mechanism and other appropriate mechanisms.

6 6 - to promote ecosystem approaches to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources, including the identification of key variables or interactions, for the purpose of assessing and monitoring, first, components of biological diversity; second, the sustainable use of such components; and, third, ecosystem effects. - to promote the identification and development of ecosystem approaches compatible with the sustainable use of marine and coastal living resources. - to eliminate destructive fishing practices, and restore and maintain fisheries stocks to sustainable levels by the year 2015, - to make available to the Parties information on marine genetic resources in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction and, as appropriate, on coastal and marine genetic resources under national jurisdiction from publicly available information sources. - to gather and assimilate information on the biological and socio-economic consequences of physical degradation and destruction of key marine and coastal habitats ( ) including identification and promotion of management practices, methodologies and policies to reduce and mitigate impacts upon marine and coastal biological diversity ( ) - to prevent the introduction of invasive alien species into the marine and coastal environment, and to eradicate to the extent possible those invasive alien species that have already been introduced. EC Communication on a strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture (COM(2002)511 final) + EC Communication: Building a sustainable future for aquaculture (COM(2009)162 final) Creating long term secure employment Products are healthy, safe and of good quality; high animal health and welfare standards Ensuring an environmentally sound industry Ensuring high quality and sustainable feed-stuff for fish The sustainable development of aquaculture should be supported by excellence in research and innovation. EC White Paper: Adapting to climate change: Towards a European framework for action: Climate change and water, coasts and marine issues (SEC(2009)386) Impacts: Physical impacts such as sea-level rise, coastal flooding, increase in severe weather, acidification, warmer water and declines in wetland areas, changes in currents and ice cover and salt water intrusion into agricultural soils, affecting marine and coastal ecosystems, including abundance and distribution patterns of species from plankton to predators, Considerable negative economic impacts (e.g. in fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism and agriculture, harbours or in key coastal and marine infrastructures, such as ports and in shipping, with a potential overall growth impediment to the economy in coastal regions and islands) Key impacts on water and coastal and marine areas include: - The natural environment (i.e. ecosystems, biodiversity and soil). Projected changes in precipitation patterns will affect soil formation and functions. Soil as part of the soil-waterplant system is vital for land and water management. Soil organic matter drives the majority of soil functions. Any reduction can lead to a decrease in fertility and biodiversity, a loss of soil structure, reduced water retention capacity and increased risk of erosion.

7 7 - Marine ecosystems and biodiversity, already under pressure from pollution and overfishing, will be affected by warmer temperatures and acidification, with changes in species reproduction, feeding and with changes in distributions of marine organisms, more frequent algae blooms and shifts in plankton communities. Relevant marine and coastal ecosystems services may also be lost with coastal wetlands disappearing. - Agriculture and Forestry - agriculture is highly sensitive to climate variability and weather extremes, changes in rainfall can affect soil erosion rates and soil moisture, both of which are important for crop yields. Forests have an important role in protecting water and soil resources. - Fisheries and aquaculture sea-level rise, glacier melting, ocean acidification and changes in precipitation, groundwater and river flows will affect wetlands, rivers, lakes and estuaries significantly, as well as coastal and offshore waters and a range of sensitive marine habitats such as coral reefs. Such changes will require adaptive measures in order to exploit opportunities and to minimise negative impacts on fisheries and aquaculture systems - Health - the impact of climate change on water quality and quantity is also expected to increase the risk of contamination of public water supplies. Both extreme rainfall and droughts can increase the total microbial loads in freshwater and have implications for disease outbreaks and water-quality monitoring. - Energy - the production of electricity is strongly dependent on water, for cooling in power plants, hydropower or the production of biomass. Changes in water resources will have impacts on many types of electricity production, and may become a further threat to the reliability of electricity supply in the future. - Infrastructure and building - intense precipitation events, increased flood risk, and sea level rise may increase the risk of infrastructure damage. The greatest impact on transportation systems will be flooding of roads, railways and transit systems. Critical coastal infrastructure, communities situated close to the coast as well as sea ports will be exposed to coastal flooding, and storms may provoke impacts on maritime transport and related infrastructure. - Tourism - problems of water supply are becoming increasingly common in Europe's tourist areas. Coastal tourism will also be affected as a consequence of accelerated coastal erosion and changes in the marine environment and marine water quality, with less fish and more frequent jelly fish and algae blooms. - Water supply and sanitation services - climate change affects the function and operation of existing water infrastructure, including hydropower, structural flood defenses, drainage and irrigation systems, as well as water management practices. - Although there is clear evidence that climate change will have a significant impact on water quantity and quality, further research is needed in order to ensure that proper decisions on adaptation can be taken. In particular, the IPCC report identified the need to improve understanding and modeling of climate changes related to the hydrological cycle and of the waterrelated impacts of climate change (especially with respect to water quality, aquatic ecosystems and groundwater) including their socio-economic dimensions as well as the need to develop better tools to facilitate integrated appraisals of adaptation and mitigation options across multiple waterdependent sectors. Understanding how activities that depend on climate (energy consumption, agriculture production) will change in the future requires a better understanding of ocean dynamics and of their role in accentuating or mitigating climate change. The Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) Directive => research needs?

8 8 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) The MARPOL Convention is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes. It is a combination of two treaties adopted in 1973 and 1978 respectively and updated by amendments through the years. The Convention includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations - and currently includes six technical Annexes: Annex I Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil Annex II Annex III Annex IV Annex V Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships Annex VI Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (entry into force 19 May 2005) States Parties must accept Annexes I and II, but the other Annexes are voluntary. Communication from the Commission: Marine Knowledge 2010 marine data and observation for smart and sustainable growth (COM(2010)461 final) Objectives: 1. Reducing operational costs and delays for those who use marine data and therefore: - helping private industry compete in the global economy and meet the challenge of sustainability; - improving the quality of public decision-making at all levels; - strengthening marine scientific research 2. Increasing competition and innovation amongst users and re-users of marine data by providing wider access to quality-checked, rapidly available coherent marine data; 3. Reducing uncertainty in knowledge of the oceans and the seas and so providing a sounder basis for managing future changes Others?