Background: HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan
In 2005, the HELCOM Member States and the EU resolved to develop a Baltic Sea Action Plan, to ensure that all possible measures are taken to reduce pollution in the Baltic Sea and to repair the damage done to the marine environment. The development process was kick-started at the first Stakeholder Conference, which was held in Helsinki on 7 March 2006. Stakeholders from the coastal countries discussed the initial concept of the plan, including its major objectives, as well as provided input to its further development.
The highlight of this innovative, ambitious, but realistic plan is that it will be based on a clear set of Ecological Objectives defined to reflect a common vision of a healthy Baltic Sea, e.g. clear water, no excessive algal blooms and natural distribution of plants and animals. The good ecological status definition will be set based on a holistic view and by creating a balance between the health of the sea the public wants and the human influences that they will accept. With this ecosystem approach protection of the marine environment is no longer seen as an event-driven pollution reduction approach to be taken sector-by-sector. Instead, the starting point is a common understanding and definition of a sea with a good ecological balance, which is deciding the further needs for reductions of pollution loads as well as the level and extent of human activities.
The new strategy, which is being jointly drafted by the HELCOM Member States, sets a target of achieving by 2021 a good ecological status of the Baltic Sea - a sea with diverse biological components functioning in balance and supporting a wide-range of sustainable human economic and social activities.
The concept of this plan has already been widely heralded as a pilot project for the European seas under the newly drafted EU Marine Strategy Directive. The European Commission described the plan as “the cornerstone for further action” in the Baltic Sea region, and also underlined that it will be instrumental to the successful implementation of the new EU Marine Strategy in the region. In this context the new plan makes HELCOM a forerunner, and a model to be followed by other regional marine conventions around Europe.