Alan Fisher OSPAR Pilot project on Ecological Quality Objectives (2002-2005) for the North Sea

Aim: clear objectives to implement OSPAR Ecosystem Approach Alan Fisher Aim: clear objectives to implement OSPAR Ecosystem Approach Defining a healthy and sustainable marine ecosystem Assessment of the current situation Good communication tools Showing whether OSPAR achieves its aims

Alan Fisher The EcoQO concept (1) 10 issues for the North Sea 1. Commercial fish 6. Benthic communities species 2. Threatened and 7. Plankton communities declining species species 3. Sea mammals 8. Habitats 4. Seabirds 9. Nutrient budgets and production 5. Fish communities 10. Oxygen consumption

Alan Fisher The EcoQO concept (2) 21 EcoQOs Example of an EcoQO: “Annual by-catch levels of harbour porpoise should be reduced to levels below 1.7% of the best population estimate”

Monitoring and Assessment Alan Fisher Monitoring and Assessment DPSIR: Driving force Pressure State Impact Response

Process of the Pilot Project Alan Fisher Process of the Pilot Project Co-ordination: Overall lead of the Pilot Project by The Netherlands and Norway Support: Lead countries for individual EcoQOs

Comparison EMS guidance with 7 OSPAR criteria Alan Fisher Comparison EMS guidance with 7 OSPAR criteria Objectives, indicators, limits and targets (EMS) similar to OSPAR approach. OSPAR includes DPSIR: broadening from environment to sustainable development. Management: some EcoQOs ready for implementation, learning by doing

Alan Fisher Costs requirements Based on existing databases Harmonisation of monitoring

Comparison with EA: coherent actions Alan Fisher Comparison with EA: coherent actions Prioritising lead to a set of 21 EcoQOs Focus mainly on environmental coherence (by scientific coherence) Via DPSIR indirect focus on other areas of coherence

Alan Fisher Lessons learnt (1) “Best practices” Much knowledge available Quality control by ICES Criteria for good EcoQOs Communication tools: public and politics Stakeholder involvement

Alan Fisher Lessons learnt (2) “Obstacles”: Complex subject Hard instrument needed No success on the short term Complex: Many organizations involved Difficult to link some EcoQOs to human activities

Alan Fisher Recommendations (1) Take advantage of experiences of the North Sea pilot project Taylor made: adapt issues for regional seas Development and implementation of objectives on “regional level” Prioritising of actions

Alan Fisher Recommendations (2) Communication with stakeholders is very important Objectives based on existing monitoring to reduce costs Implementation of EMS objectives within OSPAR by EcoQOs

Alan Fisher Stakeholder workshop Oslo, 13-14 December 2004 Aim: Discuss opportunities and difficulties Comment on the Pilot Project Advise to OSPAR