Expert network on monitoring and protecting of coastal fish and lamprey species (HELCOM FISH)
Target and activities
Coastal fish populations are important components of the Baltic Sea biota. On one hand, it reflects the general environmental status, such as eutrophication, climate changes and hazardous substances, the direct human impact trough fisheries and on the other hand modifies other components of the ecosystem. The dramatic changes of the Baltic Sea during the late 20th century, calls for increased focus on this ecosystem component.
In an effort to improve the state of the Baltic marine environment, and thus also reduce pressures on the fish community, the Coastal Fish Monitoring Expert Network has formulated ecological objectives:
Restore and maintain structure and functioning of coastal fish communities
Restore and maintain species and genetic diversity of coastal fish including non-commercial species
Restore and maintain healthy fish (individuals) causing harm neither to marine biota nor human population and ensure healthy fish populations.
To follow up these ecological objectives, monitoring of coastal fish has been a component of HELCOM COMBINE. The monitoring data have been collected in the COBRA database. Data have been used to develop indicators focussing on the environmentally induced changes in the coastal fish communities. The results have been used in thematic assessments and Indicator Fact Sheets presented at the HELCOM home page.
During recent years the activities have been carried out as cooperation between HELCOM and the GEF funded Baltic Sea Regional Project.
The objectives of the proposed project are:
to update and improve knowledge about occurrence, distribution, population and threat and/or decline on coastal fish and lamprey species including all andromous species
further development of indicators by development of targets and reference values/directions for indicators including relations between state and pressure indicators
improvement of the ecological situation for threatened and/or declining coastal fish and lamprey populations
dissemination of results by
- update and further development the HELCOM Indicators Fact Sheets
- contribution to the HELCOM thematic assessment of biodiversity and nature conservation.
Expected results
The project will provide the following products:
A set of targets and reference values for indicators used
Annual update of HELCOM Indicator Fact Sheets on coastal fish
Expert proposals for restoration programmes and measures for the most threatened and/or declining coastal fish species including anadromous ones
Contribution to the HELCOM thematic assessment of biodiversity and nature conservation as requested by HELCOM BIO.
The products will be coordinated with other corresponding international activities, e.g. the implementation of the EU WFD, EU Habitats Directive and proposed EU MSD.
Contacts:
Mr Magnus Appelberg
Project Manager
National Board of Fisheries
Institute of Coastal Research
Sweden
phone: +46 173 46461
e-mail: magnus.appelberg@fiskeriverket.se
Ms Maria Laamanen
Professional Secretary
HELCOM Secretariat
phone: +358 46 850 9198
e-mail: maria.laamanen@helcom.fi