HELSINKI COMMISSION Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission

Transcription

1 HELSINKI COMMISSION Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission USE OF HELCOM'S WORK IN IMPLEMENTING THE MARINE STRATEGY FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE IN THE BALTIC SEA The aim of this document is to describe how the work of HELCOM, and especially the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (HELCOM BSAP), is complementing and contributing to the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in the Baltic Sea through two recent HELCOM documents (contained in the annexes). Annex 1 includes a letter from the Chairman of HELCOM, Mr. Igor I. Maydanov, to the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso, pointing out the linkages between the HELCOM BSAP, the forthcoming EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy and the MSFD and its concept of a pilot project. Annex 2 gives an overview of the issue and compares timeframes and goals/targets of the HELCOM BSAP and the MSFD. While each EU Member State in accordance with Article 5, 1 of the MSFD shall develop a marine strategy for its marine waters, Article 5, 2 of the MSFD establish an obligation of the Member States to ensure coordination within each marine region. Article 6, 1 and 2 of the MSFD points to the use of existing regional institutional cooperation structures, including those under Regional Seas Conventions; also to ensure a coordination of actions with third countries having sovereignty or jurisdiction over waters in the same region or sub-region. In the Baltic Sea region, the work of HELCOM complies to the requirements to coordinate actions among EU Member States and with the third countries in the marine region. The Contracting States of HELCOM have stated that they find there is compatibility between HELCOM s activities and those required under the MSFD. Furthermore, they have expressed their willingness to develop also the future activities of HELCOM with the requirements of the Directive in mind. Katajanokanlaituri 6 B phone: +358 (0) firstname.lastname@helcom.fi FI Helsinki fax: +358 (0) internet: Finland

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3 Annex The Status of the Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is one of the world's largest bodies of brackish water and forms one of the four Marine Regions indicated in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Due to its special geography, climate, and oceanographic characteristics, the Baltic Sea is ecologically unique and highly sensitive to the environmental impacts of human activities, both in the sea and in the catchment area. The environmental situation in the Baltic Sea has drastically changed over recent decades. Human activities both on the sea and throughout its catchment area are placing rapidly increasing pressure on marine ecosystems resulting for instance in loss of species, habitats and biotopes and additional accumulation of hazardous substances in the food web, amongst other things. The Baltic Sea is also one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. Around 2,000 sizeable ships are normally at sea at any time in the Baltic, including large oil tankers, ships carrying dangerous and potentially polluting cargoes, and many large passenger ferries. HELCOM s assessment reports on eutrophication and biodiversity indicate that the overall eutrophication status of the Baltic Sea is unacceptable and points to unfavourable conservation status of biodiversity in most parts of the Baltic Sea. This shows that the Baltic marine environment is in a highly critical status and that urgent action is necessitated. Plan of action the Baltic Sea Action Plan The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) describes the actions to achieve a good environmental status of the Baltic Sea in the following areas; - Towards a Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication - Towards a Baltic Sea undisturbed by hazardous substances - Towards a Baltic Sea with environmentally friendly maritime activities - Towards favourable conservation status of Baltic Sea biodiversity The goals reflect the major problems affecting the Baltic marine environment. Each of them includes a set of ecological objectives, with associated indicators and target values for a good ecological and environmental status of the Baltic marine environment. Based on the ecological objectives, actions to achieve a good ecological status of the Baltic Sea have been defined and included in the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. The actions are to be taken by the HELCOM Member States, by the countries in the catchment area within HELCOM, and in other relevant international fora, including IMO and the EU. The HELCOM Member States have already launched several projects and taken action to start the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is based on earlier assessments on eutrophication, hazardous substances, maritime transport, and biodiversity. A Baltic-wide holistic assessment of the overall status and pressures to the marine environment of the Baltic Sea will be finalised by The holistic assessment will form the baseline to evaluate the effectiveness of the national programmes and for the review of the progress towards the ecological objectives in the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting. The assessment work supports also the process of revising HELCOM monitoring and reshaping of assessment activities into indicator-based assessments serving better the purposes of implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and other international obligations.

4 A strict programme of measures and early entry into operation With the Baltic Sea Action Plan the HELCOM Member States have also agreed on a timetable for an early entry into operation of a programme of actions with strict protective measures in certain areas. These include i.a: - Broadening the requirements for nutrient removal and making stricter requirements for phosphorous removal from municipal wastewater treatment plants. - Restrictions on the use of certain chemicals, such as endosulfan, in the whole Baltic Sea catchment area. - Speeded implementation and enforcement of the IMO conventions, including the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention. - Stricter sewage discharge and NOx emission requirements for ships navigating in the Baltic, under MARPOL 73/78. - Baltic specific principles for marine spatial planning. - Development of a Baltic-wide, ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas. - Building up of sufficient capacities to respond to major accidental spills at sea. Additional supportive material: - The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan - Use of HELCOM s work in implementing other international legislative frameworks (HELCOM HOD 27/2008, document 2/4/Rev.1) - Eutrophication Assessment BSEP No. 115A Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea An integrated thematic assessment of the effects of nutrient enrichment in the Baltic Sea region. Executive Summary ; and BSEP No. 115B Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea An integrated thematic assessment of the effects of nutrient enrichment in the Baltic Sea region - Biodiversity Assessment, in press - Maritime Assessment, 2007, to be updated by 2009/10 - Hazardous Substances Assessment, 2007, to be updated by 2009/10

5 Annex 2 USE OF HELCOM S WORK IN IMPLEMENTING OTHER INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKS This document describes how the work of HELCOM, and especially the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, being based upon an ecosystem approach, is complementing and contributing to the implementation of various international legislative frameworks. In this respect HELCOM s work is seen both as a fulfillment of the obligations under the Helsinki Convention and as an essential contribution to the fulfillment of the obligations of the Contracting Parties under various international legal frameworks, including the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This document was considered and adopted at a meeting of the HELCOM Heads of Delegation on 3-4 December The meeting highlighted the added value of making use of synergies between the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan implementation process and other processes related to the Baltic Sea area and its environment, including the forthcoming EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The Meeting took note that, for those HELCOM Contracting States being also EU member states, the development of a HELCOM core set of indicators and of a Holistic Assessment of the status of the Baltic marine environment, will also contribute to the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU MSFD), inter alia by ensuring a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach across the Baltic area. To this end the HELCOM Contracting States being also EU member states agreed that there is compatibility between the work of HELCOM, including the implementation of the HELCOM BSAP and the up-starting work to implement the EU MSFD, as outlined in this document. Specifically for the Holistic Assessment it was pointed out that this will not only facilitate the delivery by those Contracting Parties being also EU member states of the initial assessment as required by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive but also be used as a baseline for assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of the BSAP. Both products will be included to the deliverables for the upcoming 2010 HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Meeting. Note by Secretariat: FOR REASONS OF ECONOMY, THE DELEGATES ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO BRING THEIR OWN COPIES OF THE DOCUMENTS TO THE MEETING Page 1 of 37

6 INTRODUCTION 1. The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) has been heralded as a forerunner for other regional seas, in applying an ecosystem approach to the management of human activities impacting on the marine environment to obtain a good environmental status of the marine environment. 2. The HELCOM BSAP has been seen as instrumental in implementing obligations under other international legislative frameworks, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and the EU MSFD. 3. In this context the important role played by the regional marine conventions and commissions, such as HELCOM, OSPAR, MAP and BSC, has been stressed. That is due to the long experience and profound knowledge these organizations have and the fact that the regional and sub-regional spatial scale is the most appropriate to use, when assessing and managing pressures on marine ecosystems. Likewise the comprehensiveness of the regional marine conventions, obtained by the coverage of all sources of pollution affecting a sea area and thus the overall approach to marine environmental protection, has been considered invaluable. 4. Acknowledging the need for a cross-sectoral approach and the integration of environmental objectives into other sector policies, also other international organizations/stakeholders with sectoral competence were involved in the development of the HELCOM BSAP and are involved in its implementation. 5. Given that marine environment and maritime policy issues are more and more also addressed at European level in a comprehensive manner and given that respective deliberations include possible impacts of European activities on non-european waters, HELCOM feels supported in its comprehensive regional approach, including EU and Non EU Member States and the whole catchment area. 6. As a consequence hereof, and due to the work carried out within HELCOM, Contracting States being also Member States of EU can be said to pro-actively work towards the objectives of the EU MSFD, thus contributing to the positive development of the waters around Europe. The work carried out within the existing HELCOM framework and the starting implementation of the EU MSFD raise at least the questions: how to ensure that the work of HELCOM fully supports the work of the Member States, cf. Article 6 and how to ensure the transfer of experience and coordination of work between different marine regions, when one or more HELCOM Contracting Parties are also Parties to other regional marine conventions. BUILDING UPON PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN HELCOM 7. The five-step logic in applying an ecosystem-based approach is: a. Assessing the current state of the Baltic marine environment and the pressures and threats impacting upon the Baltic marine environment b. A determination of good environmental status for the Baltic marine environment through adopted ecological objectives c. Establishment of environmental targets and associated indicators for each of the adopted ecological objectives which, when reached, will ensure that the Baltic marine environment will have achieved a good environmental status d. Linking and as need be, adjusting the HELCOM monitoring and assessment programmes to ensure policy-relevant monitoring and assessment products enabling to measure whether we are progressing towards the agreed objectives and targets, and whether an updating of the targets/further actions are needed Page 2 of 37

7 e. An identification of measures needed to achieve and maintain the good environmental status. A similar step-wise approach is outlined in MSFD Article 5, 2 (a) and (b). A first round of activities including all these steps was completed with the HELCOM BSAP. In the rest of the documents the HELCOM Ecosystem Approach activities addressing these five points are linked to international (e.g. CBD) and European processes (EU MSFD). For the purpose of facilitating the comparison between what is carried out within HELCOM, as an implementation of the ecosystem approach, and further work needed to implement the HELCOM BSAP, and its compatibility with the European processes, a table has been compiled (Attachment 1). THE NEED FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION 8. According to Article 123 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): States bordering an enclosed or semi-enclosed sea should cooperate with each other in the exercise of their rights and in the performance of their duties under this Convention. To this end they shall endeavor, directly or through an appropriate regional organization: (a) to co-ordinate the management, conservation, exploration and exploitation of the living resources of the sea (b) to co-ordinate the implementation of their rights and duties with respect to the protection and preservation of the marine environment (c) to coordinate their scientific research policies and undertake where appropriate joint programmes of scientific research in the areas (d) to invite, as appropriate, other interested States or international organizations to cooperate with them in furtherance of the provisions of this article. 9. According to Article 197 of UNCLOS: States shall co-operate on a global basis and, as appropriate, on a regional basis, directly or through competent international organizations, in formulating and elaborating international rules, standards and recommended practices and procedures consistent with this Convention, for the protection and preservation of the marine environment, taking into account characteristic regional features. 10. From these two Articles in UNCLOS stems a recognition of the need for regional variations, which are not necessarily fitting into a single legal regime of universal application. 11. One definition is given in Article 122 of UNCLOS, where the regional approach refers to enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. This refers to areas where the levels of pollution, especially from land-based sources, to a large extent require regional co-ordination. Other factors influencing the importance of regional cooperation, are: implementation of policies are best done at the regional level (such as response to accidents at sea), physical characteristics dictate the regional application of more onerous standards of pollution prevention than what would suffice for oceanic waters (examples of this are the special area status of the Baltic Sea under various of the Annexes to the Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MARPOL 73/78), and the facilitation of cooperation in monitoring and supervision of agreed standards and measures. 12. In addition the world community has through commitments made under the CBD Decision V/6 and at the 2002 WSSD stressed the importance of applying the ecosystem based approach to management of human activities impacting on the marine environment, and this through promoting regional cooperation, ensuring the application of the ecosystem approach for example through the establishment of joint declarations or memoranda of understanding in applying the ecosystem approach across national borders. Page 3 of 37

8 13. In the light of these international developments HELCOM and OSPAR decided at their joint ministerial meeting in 2003 to apply within their work the ecosystem approach. 14. Likewise the MSFD points to the use of existing regional institutional cooperation structures, including those under Regional Seas Conventions; in this way also ensuring a coordination of actions with third countries having sovereignty or jurisdiction over waters in the same Region or Sub-Region (Article 6, 1 and 2). 15. While each EU Member State shall develop a marine strategy for its marine waters in accordance with Article 5, 1 of the MSFD, Article 6, 2 establishes an obligation of the Member States to ensure a coordination within each Marine Region. In this way the work of HELCOM will serve as a facilitator towards the fulfillment of the duties of the Member States under the directive. COMPREHENSIVE THEMATIC ASSESSMENTS 16. Only by measuring and monitoring the quality of the marine environment and its compartments (water, sediments and biota), the activities and inputs that can affect that quality and the effects of those activities and inputs, and by assessing what is happening in the marine environment it is possible to identify priorities for actions. 17. This was the reasoning behind the establishment of the Global International Waters Assessment initiative in 1999 and the reason why the agencies of the United Nations (led by the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP)), and their member states, are elaborating a global marine assessment. 18. This agreement was taken a step further at the WSSD where the participants resolved to establish by 2004, "...a regular process under the United Nations for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socioeconomic aspects, both current and foreseeable, building on existing regional assessments" (WSSD Plan of Implementation, paragraph 34, 2002). 19. HELCOM has such obligations to measure, monitor and assess what is happening in the Baltic marine environment and how pressures to the environment are evolving. HELCOM has made comprehensive thematic assessments covering inputs and their effects on the marine environment since the 1980s. Recently these obligations have been fulfilled by elaborating comprehensive thematic assessments, covering two of the four environmental priority areas of HELCOM s work, namely eutrophication and biodiversity. A thematic assessment on hazardous substances should be developed during and one for maritime activities by Furthermore, HELCOM Contracting Parties should undertake to produce a holistic assessment of the status of and pressures to the Baltic Sea marine environment for the HELCOM ministerial meeting planned for While the HELCOM thematic assessments are a fulfillment of the obligations under the Helsinki Convention and of various global requirements as well as a basis for discussions on the need for further actions, they can also be seen as an essential contribution to the fulfillment of the duties of the EU Member States under the MSFD, and it should be discussed how to make use of such assessments inter alia for delivering the necessary assessments for national waters (cf. Article 8, 1 and 2 of the MSFD: Member States shall make an initial assessment of their marine waters. The analyses shall. take into account elements regarding coastal, transitional and territorial waters covered by the relevant provisions of Directive 2000/60/EC. They shall also take into account or use as their basis other relevant assessment such as those carried out jointly in the context of Regional Seas Conventions so as to produce a comprehensive assessment of the status of the marine environment ). 21. For the purpose of facilitating the comparison between what is carried out within HELCOM and what is required by EU and global legislative framework in terms of assessments and other activities a table has been compiled (Attachment 1). Page 4 of 37

9 DETERMINING GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS 22. In 2003 HELCOM decided at the Joint HELCOM/OSPAR Ministerial Meeting to focus her work on developing and defining ecological objectives with associated indicators and target levels reflecting good environmental status. This was seen as a necessity in order to provide a robust framework for assessment and policy formulation, in order to measure whether we are progressing towards the good health status of the Baltic marine environment as defined in the BSAP. The adopted HELCOM ecological objectives with associated proposed indicators and targets are based on the unique characteristics of the Baltic marine ecosystem. 23. In order to get a comprehensive assessment of the status of the Baltic marine environment, it is important to ensure that the adopted HELCOM ecological objectives and associated indicators with target levels are coordinated vis-à-vis the ones established for global, European and national marine waters. For this purpose the Secretariat has elaborated a table aligning a set of proposed HELCOM core indicators (Attachment 2). Each one of the proposed indicators is aligned with the corresponding existing HELCOM Indicator Fact Sheets, ongoing HELCOM monitoring and characteristics provided in Annex 3 of the MSFD and with other EU and global legislative frameworks. 24. Assessment work carried out within HELCOM can be seen as an important contribution to the work of the CBD, especially for achieving the 2010 target to halt further biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level which was endorsed by the WSSD in In addition to identifying a flexible framework of globally relevant goals, sub-targets as well as indicators for immediate testing, the 2002 CBD Conference of the Parties invited Parties and Governments to develop national and/or regional goals and targets, and, as appropriate, to incorporate them into relevant plans, programmes and initiatives. 25. In accordance with Article 9, 1 of the MSFD, Member States shall determine, in respect of each Marine Region or Sub-Region a set of characteristics for good environmental status. This shall be done on the basis of Annex I; Qualitative descriptors for determining Good Environmental Status referred to in Articles 3(5), 9 (1), 9 (3) and 24 and by taking into account the elements listed in Annex III Indicative list of characteristics, pressures and impacts referred to in Articles 8(1), 9(1), 9(3) 10 (1), 11(1) and In order to provide an overview of correspondence between HELCOM s ecological objectives and global objectives, those listed in Annex I of the MSFD together with OSPAR objectives, a table has been elaborated (Attachment 3). The table depicts the good correspondence there is between HELCOM s ecological objectives and the MSFD Annex I objectives. Likewise the proposed set of HELCOM core indicators (Attachment 2) have been chosen to reflect each of HELCOM s ecological objectives and in that way also the set of characteristics of good environmental status of Annex 1 of MSFD. It can be considered that in particular those proposed indicators reflecting the status of the marine environment correspond to the need to determine good environmental status of Article In accordance with Article 10, 1 of the MSFD. Member States shall, for their marine waters establish a comprehensive set of environmental targets and associated indicators, to guide progress towards achieving good environmental status in the marine environment. Taking into account Annex IV Indicative list of characteristics to be taken into account for setting environmental targets referred to in Articles 10(1) and 24 the targets and indicators shall be devised in respect of each Marine Region or Sub-Region and shall take into account existing environmental targets set at national, Community or international level in order to ensure mutual compatibility in respect of the same waters. 28. The HELCOM BSAP includes nutrient reduction targets which can be considered as operational targets relating to concrete implementation measures mentioned in Annex IV of the MSFD (see also Attachment 1). In addition, more specific work to quantitatively define targets corresponding to good environmental status has been carried out in HELCOM Page 5 of 37

10 EUTRO and EUTRO-PRO projects for eutrophication and in HELCOM BIO project for biodiversity. The draft reports of the EUTRO-PRO and BIO projects contain a classification of the environmental status using five status classes which are based on indicators with defined class limits. The class border between good and moderate status could be considered as the environmental target value for that particular indicator and aspect of the marine environment it depicts. MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAMMES 29. The ecological objectives, with associated indicators and target levels, need to be underpinned by monitoring and assessment programmes, in order to be able to support both the formulation of policy and comprehensive assessment. 30. For this reason HELCOM has in 2005/2006 adopted a data and information strategy as well as a monitoring and assessment strategy to ensure both an efficient data reporting (inter alia avoiding duplication of data reporting), serving both national, regional, European and global level assessments and to take into account requirements under various European and global legislative frameworks. 31. Currently work is on-going within HELCOM to adjust the HELCOM monitoring programmes in order to ensure that the needs of HELCOM, and in this respect especially the follow-up of implementation of the HELCOM BSAP, focusing on the three main priority issues (eutrophication, biodiversity and hazardous substances), are adequately covered. In addition, it has been agreed that the requirements of the MSFD for monitoring should be fully taken into account. HELCOM MONAS (HELCOM MONAS 11/2008) has stressed that the process of revising the monitoring programmes should begin with identification of the HELCOM core set of indicators that enable monitoring of the progress towards the targets of the BSAP. The table in Attachment 2 was initially produced for the purpose of identifying the core set of indicators. The second phase of monitoring revision should focus on the monitoring programmes and on ensuring that they provide the necessary information for the core set of indicators. Also for this purpose it is of utmost importance to ensure that the HELCOM core set of indicators will cover the needs of the MSFD. The indicators should be produced in Baltic-wide cooperation in a manner which results in a Baltic-wide overview but also enables each country to detach the data and information concerning its national water like a piece of a puzzle to be able to fulfil the national reporting requirements which are related to the MSFD. 32. According to Article 11, 1 of the MSFD Member States shall establish a monitoring programme to ensure an ongoing assessment of the environmental status of their marine waters to be based upon Annexes III and V. These monitoring programmes shall build upon and be compatible with the provisions under Community legislation or under international agreements. 33. Coordinated joint monitoring has been carried out in the Baltic Sea within the HELCOM framework for almost three decades. Existing HELCOM monitoring programmes outlined in Attachment 1 serve as a solid basis for establishing the coordinated monitoring programmes as laid out in Article 11 (1). 34. HELCOM has for long also worked to ensure consistency of monitoring methods and analyses across the Baltic Sea region. Harmonization is reflected inter alia in the various guidelines agreed upon and in the manual of the HELCOM COMBINE programme. Work to ensure consistency in monitoring and quality assurance and to maintain the knowledge basis, e.g. in taxonomy, has been carried out in HELCOM expert groups and previously in the Steering Groups for Quality Assurance of chemical and biological analyses. Page 6 of 37

11 IDENTIFICATION OF MEASURES THE HELCOM BALTIC SEA ACTION PLAN 35. In accordance with Article 13, 1 of the MSFD, Member States shall, in respect of each Marine Region or Sub-Region, and taking into consideration Annex VI (Programmes of measures Article 13 (1)), establish programmes of measures needed to achieve or maintain good environmental status in their marine waters. The use of marine protected areas (e.g. special areas of conservation, special protection areas) is to be included to the programme of measures, and a coherent and representative network of marine protected areas should be ensured (Article 13, 4). In drawing up the programme of measures, due consideration shall be given to sustainable development, to ensure that measures are cost-effective, -beneficial, technically feasible and that the protection areas cover different types of marine protection areas defined in Community legislation or international agreements (Article 13, 4). In the programmes of measures it shall furthermore be indicated how measures are to be implemented and how they will contribute to the achievement of the environmental targets (Article 12, 4). 36. Based upon the assessment of the environmental status of the Baltic marine environment, actions which are needed to be taken in order to maintain or achieve good environmental status have been identified and included in the HELCOM BSAP. 37. As part of the elaboration of the specific actions, considerations to their costeffectiveness and cost-benefit aspects were given, taking into account the whole Baltic Sea region. In addition, the draft integrated thematic assessment on eutrophication includes consideration of the costs related to combating eutrophication and benefits related to a Baltic Sea in non-eutrophied status. Likewise, the planned holistic assessment of the Baltic marine environment to be produced by 2010 should include Baltic-wide consideration of socioeconomic aspects. 38. HELCOM has been developing its network of Baltic Sea Protected Areas (BSPAs) since At the 2003 HELCOM/OSPAR ministerial meeting a joint HELCOM/OSPAR Work Programme on Marine Protected Areas was adopted and the objectives for developing the network were reconfirmed in the BSAP. The aim is to establish a coherent network of wellmanaged marine protected areas by According to the draft integrated thematic assessment on biodiversity, the network currently covers about 6% of the Baltic Sea area and it does not fulfill the criteria for an ecologically coherent network of protected areas. Nevertheless, BSPAs are considered to be important complements to the Natura 2000 sites which only cover a part of the existing biodiversity values in the Baltic Sea. The HELCOM BSPA network can be considered an important contribution to fulfilling the obligations set forward in Article 13, 4 of the MSFD (see also Attachment 1). EXCHANGING EXPERIENCE WITH REGIONAL MARINE ORGANIZATIONS IN OTHER REGIONS 39. The world s oceans and seas share many problems, and action is required around the world at regional level to address them. 40. This is the reason why HELCOM in 2001 established a Twinning Arrangement with the Nairobi Convention for the seas of East Africa, and why HELCOM and OSPAR in 2003 arranged a joint Ministerial Meeting, inter alia adopting a joint HELCOM/OSPAR Work Programme on Marine Protected Areas. HELCOM has also cooperated with the EC Joint Research Centre and the GEF Baltic Sea Regional Project, and has worked closely together with the Black Sea Commission in the field of assessment and monitoring procedures, especially covering eutrophication and biodiversity. Furthermore, HELCOM has been cooperating with the Mediterranean Action Plan on the establishment of ecological objectives for the Mediterranean. Page 7 of 37

12 HELCOM HOD 27/2008, DOCUMENT 2/4/REV.1 Attachment 1 Implementing an ecosystem based approach - Further work needed within HELCOM to implement the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan compatible with the European process Work carried out within the HELCOM framework Further work by HELCOM to implement the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Corresponding MSFD action for EU Member States Deadline for EU Member States Development of criteria and methodological standards for determination of Good Environmental Status (GES) Development of criteria for Good Environmental Status (GES): Baltic Sea Action Plan system of a vision, strategic goals and ecological objectives Environmental targets (Secchi depth) used as a basis to set the nutrient reduction requirements of the BSAP Development of tools for assessment of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea (BSEP 104) Draft thematic integrated assessments on eutrophication (EUTRO- PRO) and biodiversity (BIO) Work to be carried out to establish a HELCOM core set of indicators with targets reflecting GES (see also Attachment 2) Development of methodological standards: HELCOM COMBINE manual, including specific guidelines Guidelines for Pollution Load Compilations Guidelines for monitoring radioactive substances Guidelines for reporting on disposal of dredged material at sea Phytoplankton biovolume list Work carried out within the phytoplankton expert group and the zooplankton expert network Work to be carried out in the macrophytobenthos monitoring expert group Further work on defining/refining and developing the proposed HELCOM core set of indicators and targets, based on the unique characteristics of the Baltic marine ecosystem Development of criteria and methodological standards for the determination of GES in Regulatory Committee so as to ensure consistency and to allow for comparison between marine regions or subregions of the extent to which GES is being achieved. Before proposing such criteria and standards the EC shall consult all interested parties, including Regional Sea Conventions (Article 9(3)) 15 July 2010 Further input or work for those HELCOM Contracting Parties being also EU Member States Contribution to the work of the Committee to be established according to Article 25 Contribution to the work to be carried out by EC- JRC and ICES on developing the GES qualitative descriptors Page 8 of 37

13 Six comprehensive periodic assessments produced between 1980 and 2003 Nearly forty annually updated indicator fact sheets Four (and in 2010, five) Pollution Load Compilations Thematic integrated assessment on eutrophication (EUTRO-PRO) in 2009 Thematic integrated assessment on biodiversity and nature protection, including a comprehensive section on human pressures covering the aspects of Annex III, Table 2 (BIO) in 2009 Thematic assessment on radioactivity in the Baltic Sea in 2009 Thematic assessment on hazardous substances to be finalised by 2010 Thematic assessment on maritime activities by 2010 Holistic assessment of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea based on thematic assessments with updated data to cover years up to 2008 and other relevant information and including socio-economic aspects (proposed by MONAS 11/2008 to be confirmed by Head of Delegation 27/2008) Establishment of the HELCOM core set of Baltic-wide indicators and revision of monitoring activities so as to enable national, sub-regional and Baltic wide consideration of the particular aspect of the marine environment (proposed by MONAS 11/2008 to be confirmed by Head of Delegation 27/2008) Elaboration of a holistic assessment of the Baltic marine environment Contracting Parties to ensure that all necessary aspects will be covered by the HELCOM Holistic Assessment, in order to provide a baseline for evaluating and monitoring changes due to the implementation of the BSAP Contracting Parties to ensure national contributions of data and expertise to the production of the Holistic Assessment Linking the HELCOM holistic assessment activities to activities going on in countries to elaborate Baltic Stern reports to ensure that social and economic analyses and the estimation of the cost of degradation of the marine environment are covered to a sufficient extent Complete an initial assessments of the current status of their marine waters and the environmental impact of human activities thereon, in respect of each marine region or sub-region, taking account of existing data where available and other relevant assessments such as those carried out jointly in the context of Regional Seas Conventions (Article 8(1)) including an economic and social analysis of the use of those waters and of the cost of degradation of the marine environment. 15 July 2012 Contracting Parties to ensure that all necessary aspects of the initial assessment will be covered by the HELCOM Holistic Assessment Baltic Sea Action Plan system of a vision, strategic goals and ecological objectives Environmental targets (Secchi depth) used as a basis to set the nutrient reduction requirements of the BSAP Development of tools for assessment of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea (BSEP 104) Determination of a set of characteristics for Good Environmental Status (GES) Ensure coverage of all aspects in the Baltic marine environment in HELCOM work (see also Attachments 2 and 3) Cooperation with other Regional Seas Conventions Determine for their marine waters a set of characteristics for GES, in respect of each marine region or sub-region concerned, on the basis of the qualitative descriptors 15 July 2012 Ensure coverage of all aspects of Annex I qualitative descriptors in HELCOM work (see also Attachments 2 and 3) Cooperation with other Regional Seas Conventions Page 9 of 37

14 Thematic integrated assessment on eutrophication (EUTRO-PRO) Thematic assessment on radioactivity in the Baltic Sea Thematic integrated assessment on biodiversity and nature protection (BIO) Thematic assessment on hazardous substances to be finalised by 2010 Thematic assessment on maritime activities by 2010 Holistic assessment of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea based on thematic assessments with updated data to cover years up to 2008 and other relevant information and including socio-economic aspects (to be confirmed) Establishment of the HELCOM core set of Baltic-wide indicators with GES targets so as to enable national, sub-regional and Baltic wide consideration of the particular aspect of the marine environment as well as with the EC, EC- JRC, ICES and EEA/EMMA to provide input from HELCOM s point of view in Annex I and taking into account the indicative lists of Annex III (Article 9(1)) Establishing of the HELCOM core set of indicators with targets reflecting Good Environmental Status Previous assessment work and HELCOM Indicator fact sheets as a basis Nutrient reduction targets of the BSAP (cf. operational targets of Annex IV, 2) Establishment of the HELCOM core set of Baltic-wide indicators (especially for pressures and impacts) with GES targets so as to enable national, sub-regional and Baltic wide consideration of the particular aspect of the marine environment (to be confirmed) To agree on the development of the HELCOM Core set of indicators with GES targets Establish a comprehensive set of environmental targets and associated indicators for their marine waters, in respect of each marine region or sub-region, so as to guide progress towards achieving GES, taking into account the indicative lists of Annex III, table 2 and of Annex IV (Article 10(1)) 15 July 2012 as well as with the EC, EC- JRC, ICES and EEA/EMMA to provide input from the HELCOM s point of view To agree on the development of the HELCOM Core set of indicators with GES targets Page 10 of 37

15 Establishing the ecologically coherent network of well managed marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea HELCOM Baltic Sea Protected Areas network HELCOM BSPA Database and its maintenance and possible further development to enable it to be considered as a regional presentation to the public of the Baltic marine protected areas HELCOM COMBINE programme covering eutrophication and hazardous substances Pollution Load Compilation monitoring Monitoring of radioactive substances Reporting on disposal of dredged material at sea Enhancement of HELCOM GIS facilities and HELCOM Indicator Database Work carried out in various HELCOM expert groups and projects related to harmonisation of monitoring and methodology, as well as quality assurance and training (e.g. HELCOM PEG, ZEN, FISH, Ad hoc SEAL EG and the proposed expert group for macrophytobenthos) Establishment of the HELCOM core set of Baltic-wide indicators and revision of monitoring activities so as to enable national, sub-regional and Baltic wide consideration of the particular aspect of the marine environment (to be confirmed) The role of Indicator Lead Parties in supporting the full chain action needed to produce the indicator from sampling and QA to data analyses (to be confirmed) The work of HELCOM subsidiary bodies aligned so as to support comprehensive monitoring of the status of the marine environment but also pressures and impacts and to support follow-up of human activities affecting those above Establish by 2010 a coherent and representative network of well managed marine protected areas in the HELCOM marine area and make corresponding updates to HELCOM BSPA Database Revise HELCOM monitoring programmes To agree on the development of the HELCOM core set of indicators with GES targets and on subsequent revision of HELCOM monitoring programmes to ensure production of the needed data Make publicly available, in respect of each marine region or sub-region, relevant information on marine protected areas (Article 13(6)) Establish and implement a coordinated monitoring programme for ongoing assessment of the environmental status of their marine waters on the basis of the indicative lists of elements set out in Annex III and the list set out in Annex V, and by reference to the environmental targets (Article 11(1)) By 2013 at the latest 15 July 2014 Establish by 2010 a coherent and representative network of well managed marine protected areas in the HELCOM marine area To agree on the development of the HELCOM core set of indicators with GES targets and on subsequent revision of HELCOM monitoring programmes to ensure production of the needed data Page 11 of 37

16 HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Evaluation of the effectiveness of the national programmes for implementation of the BSAP and revision of progress towards the ecological targets and based on this review adjustment of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in 2013 Implementation of the adjusted Baltic Sea Action Plan Follow-up of the implementation by the Baltic Sea Action Plan Implementation Group supported by the HELCOM subsidiary bodies The work of HELCOM subsidiary bodies aligned so as to support the implementation process To implement the 6-year implementation cycle of the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy and to repeat the HELCOM Holistic Assessment To implement the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy, including the updating of the monitoring programmes according to needs Adjustments to the Baltic Sea Action Plan according to the principle of adaptive management To ensure that the adjustment of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in 2013 takes into account the needs arising from other global legislative frameworks Implementation of the adjusted Baltic Sea Action Plan Identify the measures which need to be taken in order to achieve or maintain GES (Article 13(1)) Entry into operation of a programme of measures (Article 13(10)) Review and update the HECOM Holistic Assessment at even intervals Contracting Parties to review the environmental targets based on assessment results Review the initial assessment and the determination of good environmental status, as provided for in Articles 8(1) and 9(1) respectively (art. 17(2)(a)) Review of the environmental targets established pursuant to Article 10(1) (art. 17(2)(b)) Review and update HELCOM monitoring programmes as necessary Review the monitoring programmes established pursuant to Article 11(1) (art. 17(2)(c) By 2015 at the latest By 2016 at the latest By 15 July 2018 at the latest By 15 July 2020 at the latest To ensure that the adjustment of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in 2013 takes into account the needs arising from the MSFD Those Contracting States being also member states of EU to consider whether to strive for making Baltic Sea a pilot project with an earlier entry into operation of programmes of measures (Article 5 (3)) To consider the timing of the next HELCOM Holistic Assessment so as to ensure full coverage of the aspects of the initial assessment Contracting Parties also to review the environmental targets based on assessment results Page 12 of 37

17 Contracting Parties to implement the actions in the Baltic Sea Action Plan so as to achieve a Baltic Sea in good environmental status by 2021 Achieve Good Environmental Status Achieve good environmental status By 2020 at the latest Contracting Parties to consider shifting the ultimate target date of the BSAP to 2020 Page 13 of 37

18 HELCOM HOD 27/2008, DOCUMENT 2/4/REV.1 Attachment 2 Draft list of determinants prioritized for development into a HELCOM core set of indicators -Determinants/indicators which are proposed to be prioritisized are indicated with green background -HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Ecological Objectives are all indicated, and corresponding determinants/indicators are listed below them -Background characteristics have been shifted to the end of the list, and the presumption is that they should be monitored in any case -Status determinants/indicators are on white background and pressure determinants/indicators on grey background -The first column Determinant/indicator identifies the issue for which the indicator should be developed (please note that in some cases the identified issues are broad) -The second column HELCOM BSAP" indicates the indicators or preliminary indicators identified in the Baltic Sea Action Plan (please note that for a number of the indicators have not been developed yet) -The third column HELCOM Monitoring addresses the ongoing monitoring within the HELCOM framework based on the corresponding monitoring guidelines -The fourth column indicates the existing HELCOM Indicator Fact Sheets -The fifth column indicates the characteristics, pressures and impacts that have been listed in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Annex 3 and should be used as a basis for assessment, determination of good environmental status and establishing and implementing monitoring programmes -Explanations for the acronyms used in the sixth column Other relevant regulations or processes : UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); UN ECE Convention for Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (UNECE CLRTAP); UN Global Programme of Action (GPA); Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention); EU Habitats Directive (HD); EU Water Framework Directive (WFD); suggested European Marine Monitoring and Assessment working group reprioritized indicator (EMMA); Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS). Eutrophication - status Determinant/indicator HELCOM BSAP Identified (preliminary) indicators HELCOM Monitoring (COMBINE, PLC, MORS-PRO) HELCOM Ecological objective: Concentrations of nutrients close to natural levels Nutrient concentrations Winter surface concentrations of nutrients HELCOM Ecological objective: Clear water Winter pool of nutrients: phosphate, total phosphorus, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, total nitrogen and silicate COMBINE core variables Water transparency Summer Secchi depth Light attenuation COMBINE core variable Existing HELCOM Indicator Fact sheets - Spatial distribution of the winter nutrient pool; - Temporal and spatial variation of dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll a in the Baltic Sea in Water transparency in the Baltic Sea between 1903 and 2007 Marine Strategy Framework Directive Annex 3, Characteristics, pressures and impacts Spatial and temporal distribution of nutrients (DIN, TN, DIP, TP, TOC) and oxygen Annual and seasonal temperature regime and ice cover, current Other relevant regulations or processes GPA, WFD, EMMA WFD Page 14 of 37

19 velocity, upwelling, wave exposure, mixing characteristics, turbidity, residence time Carbon Particulate and dissolved matter (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) COMBINE main variables Humic matter Humic matter COMBINE main variable HELCOM Ecological objective: Natural level of algal blooms Chlorophyll a Phytoplankton biomass and species Chlorophyll a concentrations Chlorophyll-a COMBINE core variable Phytoplankton species composition abundance and biomass COMBINE core variables Primary production Primary production COMBINE main variable - Temporal and spatial variation of dissolved nutrients and chlorophyll a in the Baltic Sea in 2006; - Phytoplankton spring bloom biomass in the Gulf of Finland, Northern Baltic Proper and Arkona Basin in Phytoplankton biomass and species succession in the Gulf of Finland, - Northern Baltic Proper and Southern Baltic Sea in 2007; - Cyanobacteria bloom index; HELCOM Ecological objective: Natural distribution and occurrence of plants and animals Phytobenthos Zoobenthos Depth range of submerged vegetation Phytobenthos depth distribution and species composition COMBINE main variable Zoobenthos species composition, abundance and biomass - COMBINE core variables - Cyanobacterial blooms in the Baltic Sea; - Unusual phytoplankton events in Trends in soft sediment macrozoobenthic communities in the open sea areas of the Baltic Sea (1965 to 2005) (From 2005 and needs updating) Spatial and temporal distribution of nutrients (DIN, TN, DIP, TP, TOC) and oxygen A description of the biological communities associated with the predominant seabed and water column habitats. This would include information on the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities, including the species and seasonal and geographical variability A description of the biological communities associated with the predominant seabed and water column habitats. This would include information on the phytoplankton and zooplankton communities, including the species and seasonal and geographical variability Information on angiosperms, macro-algae and invertebrate bottom fauna, including species composition, biomass and annual/seasonal variability Information on angiosperms, macro-algae and invertebrate bottom fauna, including species composition, biomass and annual/seasonal variability WFD, EMMA WFD CBD, HD, WFD CBD, HD, WFD Page 15 of 37