HELCOM proposal on project aiming at BSAP development and implementation Baltic Sea Region Programme Conference May 2007, Hamburg HELCOM proposal on project aiming at BSAP development and implementation Baltic Sea Region Programme Conference May 2007, Hamburg Kaj Forsius Professional Secretary HELCOM

HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan –15 November 2007 Linked to WFD, Marine Strategy, Maritime Green Paper Ideas to support implementation in four priority areas –Eutrophication –Hazardous substances –Maritime activities –Biodiversity & Nature protection Investments in “hot spots”

MARITIME Building up adequate resources to respond to ship accidents Work is based on the three tier approach adopted by HELCOM, when: –minor oil spills are addressed by one Baltic Sea country, –spills of medium size are addressed by well organized and timely action by several countries located in the vicinity of the accident, –the largest spills are addressed by the coordinated efforts of all coastal states and if necessary, with use of external assistance. Focus of project on Tier II – medium size spills Finalization of sub-regional risk assessments as a starting point: - to be based on available information: e.g. AIS, data on accidents, SeaTrack Web, MARIS, marine and coastal protected areas etc. - should take into account predicted increase in maritime traffic. Identification of missing emergency and response capabilities in the sub-regions to meet the identified risks decision on common actions to fill in the gaps within the agreed timetable

Large-scale spatial planning Presently little cross-boundary spatial coordination of human activities between the HELCOM Contracting Parties Development of outline on application of large- scale marine spatial planning, including zoning Organise stakeholder dialogue among Contracting Parties as well as other parties such as VASAB 2010 and Baltic 21 Develop HELCOM GIS and tools to demonstrate marine zoning in large scale spatial planning Development of zoning scenarios for the Baltic Sea to visualise and highlight areas of conflicting uses and guiding the application of large-scale spatial planning Important tool for the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in the Baltic Sea.

Eutrophication Measures for agriculture BSAP nutrient reduction targets Common methods for assessment of run-off as basis for reduction targets Identification of intensive agricultural areas jointly Common approach to identification of measure –regional implementation

Hazardous substances Screening of selected substances –Planned project in cooperation with NCM Link the identified effects to sources Development of indicators for BSAP Identification of measures for sectors/hot spots Serving implementation of WFD and global as well as national work

HELCOM as project partner BSAP showing the way Existing network at different levels in all Baltic Sea countries –Including implementing authorities An enduser – findings adopted by governments –linked to national, regional and international processes (WFD, Marine Strategy) –Ensures the continuation of the work after end of project

Thank you For more information please contact: Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) Katajanokanlaituri 6 B FI Helsinki Finland