1.
Introduction to environmental sector within the
CBC: findings of the Baltic Scope project
Anda Ruskule
Jūrmala, 31 May, 2016

2.
Objectives for environment
in MSP
Requirements of the sector
– maintenance of resilient
marine ecosystem and
services it provides
– achievement of good
environmental status (GES)
of marine waters;
Approaches for addressing
environment in MSP
– Assessing and improving
coherence MPA network
– Integration of the MSFD
objectives in MSP
– Increasing knowledge and
understanding of interactions
between marine ecosystem
and human activities
Application of
ecosystem based
approach

3.
• Latvia:
– 7 MPAs designated, covering 33 % of territorial waters and 1 % in EEZ (in total 15% of
Latvian marine waters)
– claim from EC to designated sufficient area of Natura 2000 sites within EEZ
– 5 investigation areas for potential designation of MPAs proposed by the MSP
• Estonia:
– 45% of Natura 2000 sites are marine areas, however only few offshore sites
– PoM foresees review of the existing MPA network and establish new MPAs in EEZ
– preliminary investigations were carried out and two possible areas are considered as
potential MPAs for protection of reef habitats
• Sweden:
– MPA network includes 1 national park, 42 nature reserve and 315 Natura 2000 areas,
covering 7.7 % of the marine area
– the national goal is set to increase MPA network to10% of all marine areas by 2020
– County Administrative Boards have an important role in designation of MPAs
– one potential N2000 area suggested for protection of the Harbour Porpoise
Coherence of the MPA network in CBC:
current situation & development perspectives

4.
Areas proposed for enlargement of MPA
network in Sweden and Latvia:

5.
MPA network in the CBC:
existing and potential protected areas

6.
Implementation of MSFD:
– PoM has strong focuss on three descriptors - alien species (D2), eutrophication (D5)
and marine litter (D10);
– Spatial measures apply for descriptor - biological diversity (D1) including surveys
and assessment of the potential MPAs in Latvian EEZ
Implementation of EBA in MSP:
– link to the GES objectives and indicators established through assessment of possible
impacts of alternative scenarios, SEA process and proposals for monitoring of MSP
implementation
– Spatial impacts assessed in relation to different components of marine ecosystem
and provision of ecosystem services
» Impact matrix developed for assessment of sensitivity of species and habitats
against different sea uses, ensuring precautionary principle and mitigation of
negative impacts
Integration with MSFD objectives and
implementation of EBA:
current situation & development perspectives- LATVIA

7.
Integration with MSFD objectives:
– the national MSFD processes coordinated with the MSP – both are carried out by
SwAM
– Important coordination topics are MPA development, data management, assessment
of pressures from human activities
– Achievement of GES is included in the Swedish Environmental objectives, which lays
the basis for MSP
Implementation of EBA in MSP:
– Mapping of marine green infrastructure and identification of areas with high
ecological values as an important step to develop the best knowledge and practice
– identification of ecosystem services as part of impact assessment
– a spatial cumulative assessment tool called Symphony to be used in MSP for
understanding the current and future pressures on the marine environment and
implementation of the precaution principle
Integration with MSFD objectives and
implementation of EBA:
current situation & development perspectives- SWEDEN

8.
Integration with MSFD objectives:
– An integrated marine monitoring programme targeting the reporting
recommendations on MSFD Article 11 has been compiled and relevant indicators of
all descriptors have been established
– The MSFD indicators provide knowledge on the environmental status and indicate
environmental changes attributed to the MSP process as well as can guide the MSP
process in order to achieve effective spatial planning for sustainable development
Implementation of EBA in MSP:
– To date no official document exists that explicitly targets the ecosystem based
approach within the Estonian MSP. However, Estonian Planning Act states that one
of the functions of MSP is to determine the measures required for the protection of
marine environment
– MSP will set criteria and future research that is needed in order to make decisions on
marine use (including licencing) after the adoption of MSP, thus laying basis for
precaution principle
– MSP in Estonia will also include development of alternative scenarios; mitigation to
be ensured through SEA process
Integration with MSFD objectives and
implementation of EBA:
current situation & development perspectives- ESTONIA

9.
1) Ensuring coherence of the MPA network in the CBC area:
• Mapping of areas of high ecologically value:
– developing a common approach for benthic habitat mapping
– defining common criteria for identification of areas of high ecological value
– collection of the relevant data sets and/or performing of necessary field surveys
• Assessing representativeness of habitat and species coverage within the existing
MPA network
– requires detailed knowledge on species and habitat distribution, which countries at
the moment are lacking
• Assessing connectivity of the existing MPA network within CBC and potential
areas for designation of MPAs:
– Identification of areas for ensuring connectivity - concept of “Blue corridors:
 functional interconnection between the sites,
 conditions for spreading of species.
identification of potential areas for MPA designations
Future needs &
Recommendations for actions:

10.
Standartised map on environmental values

11.
Environmental values and MPA network

12.
2) Increasing knowledge and understanding of interactions between
marine ecosystem and human activities :
• Identification of MSFD descriptors and indicators that can applied
for spatial assessment of impacts within MSP and related SEA and
EIA procedures
– Based on screening of the MSFD indicators in EE, LV and SE the following
descriptors and criteria proposed as the most relevant:
• descriptors biodiversity (D1) – habitat range, habitat quality, ecosystem
structure;
• sea floor integrity (D6) - physical damage and community state
• introduction of energy, including underwater noise (D11) - Distribution
in time and place of loud, low and mid frequency impulsive sounds and
continuous low frequency sound
Guidelines/criteria needed for impact assessment
procedures
Future needs &
Recommendations for actions :

13.
2) Increasing knowledge and understanding of interactions between marine ecosystem and
human activities :
• Development of common approaches for assessing collective pressure
of all human activities on marine environment:
– Identification of threats from particular activities to different ecological
features (e.g. habitats, birds, fish, mammals)
– Assessing cumulative pressures from different sea uses at local level;
– Assessing cumulative impacts from trans-boundary perspective taking into
account developments at the different parts of the Baltic Sea and their
overall impact to marine biodiversity
» A need for common/standardised methodology
» analytical tool – Symphony developed by SwAM for assessment of
cumulative effects in MSP could be used as possible example
Future needs &
Recommendations for actions:

14.
Example from the
Harmony project
showing the principle
method
Future needs &
Recommendations for actions:

15.
2) Increasing knowledge and understanding of interactions between
marine ecosystem and human activities :
• Criteria for applying precautionary principle and setting
limitations/restrictions to sea use activities within the MSP:
̶ general assessment of impacts of particular sea uses can be misleading,
because the actual level of impact would depend on extend of the activity
as well as particular technologies applied
̶ Therefore along with elaboration of methods or tool for assessment of
cumulative pressures, more precise criteria or procedures for application of
the precaution principle shall be developed
Future needs &
Recommendations for actions

16.
Thank you!