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BalticMarineEnvironmentProtectionCommissionHELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationTakingFurtherActiontoImplementtheBalticSeaActionPlan-ReachingGoodEnvironmentalStatusforahealthyBalticSea3October2013,Copenhagen,Denmark2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage1of19TakingFurtherActiontoImplementtheBalticSeaActionPlan-ReachingGoodEnvironmentalStatusforahealthyBalticSeaDeclarationoftheMinistersoftheEnvironmentoftheBalticCoastalCountriesandtheEUEnvironmentCommissioner,HELCOMCopenhagenDeclaration2013SixyearsaftertheadoptionoftheBalticSeaActionPlan(BSAP)andthreeyearsafterthefirstMinisterialreviewandupdate,responsibleMinistersandtheEUCommissionerASSEMBLEDinCopenhagen,Denmark,inordertoassesstheprogresstowardsreachingthecommongoaloftheBalticSeainagoodenvironmentalstatusby2021,ontheoccasionoftheMinisterialMeetingoftheHelsinkiCommission,on3October2013.
TheMinistersandtheCommissionerreconfirmedthecommitmenttoimplementtheBalticSeaActionPlan(BSAP)anddecidedonfurtheractionneededaswellasthefuturestrategicapproachofHELCOM;APPRECIATINGtheHigh-levelConferenceontheProtectionoftheEnvironmentoftheBalticSeaRegion(BalticSeaForum),organizedon5-6April2013inSt.
PetersburginthecontextoftheRussianPresidencyoftheCounciloftheBalticSeaStates,wherehigh-levelpoliticaldecision-makersgavetheirsupporttothejointprotectionofthemarineenvironmentoftheBalticSea,includingtheBalticSeaActionPlan,andpointedtospecificprioritiestobedealtwithinthefuture.
RECALLINGthefundamentalprinciplestheContractingPartiestotheHelsinkiConventionshallapplyintheireffortstorestorethegoodenvironmentalstatusoftheBalticSea,includingthepolluter-paysprinciple,theuseofBestEnvironmentalPracticeandBestAvailableTechnology,andthatwhenapplyinganecosystem-basedapproachtothemanagementofhumanactivities,whileenablingasustainableuseofmarinegoodsandservices,priorityshouldbegiventoachievingormaintaininggoodenvironmentalstatusinthemarineenvironment;CONFIRMING,ouraimistocontributetocoherencebetweendifferentpoliciesandfostertheintegrationofenvironmentalconcernsintootherpolicies,suchasinfisheries,agricultureandotherrelevantpolicies;WebelievethattheBalticSearegioncanmakeanimportantcontributiontointernationalcommitmentsinthefieldofenvironmentalpolicy,includingclimatechangepolicy1.
RECALLINGthechapteron"Oceansandseas"oftheRio+20outcome,theConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)StrategicActionPlanforBiodiversity2011-2020anditsassociatedAichiBiodiversityTargetswhicharealsoaddressedundertheEUBiodiversityStrategyto2020;2.
SUPPORTINGHELCOM'scontinuedcommitmentstocontributetoglobaleffortsforhealthyandproductiveoceansandseas,especiallyundertheframeworkoftheUNEPGlobalProgrammeofActionfortheProtectionoftheMarineEnvironmentfromtheLand-basedActivitiesandincooperationwithotherRegionalSeasConventions,inparticulartheOSPARConventionandtheConventionontheProtectionoftheBlackSeaAgainstPollution;3.
CALLINGforenhancedactionacrosstherelevantsectorstorespond,prepareandbetteradapttothecurrentandfutureimpactsofclimatechangeontheBalticSeaenvironment;WeareconcernedaboutthestillunsatisfactoryenvironmentalstatusoftheBalticSea4.
NOTINGWITHALARMthattheenvironmentalstatusoftheBalticSea,whichisespeciallyfragile,isstillimpaired;5.
RECOGNIZINGWITHCONCERNthemagnitudeandintensityofhumanpressuresandtheircumulativeimpacts,affectingallareasoftheBalticSeaandexceedinglevelscompatiblewithachievinggoodenvironmentalstatus;6.
BEINGAWAREthatclimatechangealreadyhasanimpactonecosystemsandexacerbatespressuresonthemarineandcoastalenvironment;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage2of19WebelievethatBalticSeaecosystems,andtheservicestheyprovide,arevitalforourwell-beingandeconomies7.
RECALLINGtheagreementofHELCOMBalticSeaActionPlanthattheBalticSeashallbecomeamodelofgoodmanagementofhumanactivitiesandCOMMITTINGtomaketheBalticSearegionamodelforsustainablegrowth,applyingbestpracticesinthemaritimefield,providingjobsandprosperity;8.
AtthesametimeREAFFIRMINGthatsustainabledevelopment,aswellassustainablegrowthintheregionmustbesupportedbyanecosystem-basedapproachtothemanagementofhumanactivities,includingconsiderationofpossiblecumulativeeffects,andwhileenablingasustainableuseofmarinegoodsandservices,priorityshouldbegiventoachievingormaintaininggoodenvironmentalstatusinthemarineenvironment,tocontinuingitsprotectionandpreservationandtopreventingsubsequentdeterioration;Inthisrespect,increasinggeneralawarenessisthecornerstoneofsuccessfulimplementationoftheecosystemapproachandthusalsoecosystembasedmanagement;9.
NOTINGthattheeconomicbenefitsofreachingthetargetsoftheBalticSeaActionPlanconcerningeutrophicationaloneareinthemagnitudeofonebillionEurosperyearinwelfaregains(accordingtoBalticStern);10.
RECOGNIZINGthatgreeninvestmentsincleanertechnologies,developingenvironmentalknow-how,andapplyingbestenvironmentalpractices,arenecessarytoimplementtheBalticSeaActionPlanwillstrengthentheeconomyintheBalticSearegionandwillimprovethequalityoftheenvironmentforall;Westriveformorecoherentpoliciesandimplementation11.
STRESSINGtheneedtofurtherdevelopmarineandmaritimegovernancecapacityandtointegrateenvironmentalconcernsandinternationallyagreedtargetsintoallrelevantpolicies;12.
NOTINGwithsatisfactiontheHELCOMplatformfortheimplementationoftheecosystemapproachandWELCOMINGtheopportunitieswhichitcreatesforidentifyingmutualgoalsandapproachesbetweentheBalticSeaActionPlan,theMaritimeDoctrineoftheRussianFederation,andtheEUMarineStrategyFrameworkDirectiveasanenvironmentalpillaroftheEU'sIntegratedMaritimePolicy,toreachagoodenvironmentalstatusoftheBalticSeaby2021;13.
WELCOMINGthewell-establishedcooperationbetweenHELCOMandVASABoncoherentandecosystem-basedMaritimeSpatialPlanningintheBalticSea,andCALLINGFORtheuseofmaritimespatialplanningincombinationwithotherpolicyinstrumentsincludingcoastalzonemanagement,strategicenvironmentalassessment,designationofmarineprotectedareas,internalizationofenvironmentalcostsinpricesandphasingoutenvironmentallyharmfulsubsidies;14.
ENCOURAGINGdevelopmentofactivitiesandprojectsintheenvironmentalfieldunderthecooperationoftheEUandRussianFederation;Wecommittostrengthenourefforts15.
APPRECIATINGthatnearlyonethirdoftheactionscontainedintheBalticSeaActionPlan,tobecompletedby2021,havebeenimplemented,however;16.
EXPRESSINGCONCERNaboutthelowlevelofactivitiesinimplementingsomeofthemeasuresoftheBalticSeaActionPlanandSTRESSINGtheneedtofulfillHELCOMrequirementsbytheagreeddeadlines.
Inparticularactionsforpreservingbiodiversity,furtherimprovementsinmunicipalwastewatertreatmentandpreventionofpollutionfromagricultureaswellaspreventionofemissionsanddischargesofhazardoussubstances,requirespecialattention;17.
UNDERLININGthekeyroleofagriculture,land-basedandoffshoreindustries,fisheries,shipping,wastewatermanagement,tourism,theprivatesector,localactorsaswellasscienceinfulfillingtheBalticSeaActionPlaninacostefficientway,andCALLINGONstakeholdersandcivilsocietyatlargetoactivelyengageinworkingtowardsreachingthetargetsforahealthyBalticSeaenvironment,includingnutrientreductiontargets;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage3of1918.
DETERMINEDtotakefurthermeasures,initiativesoreffortsneededtoreachahealthymarineecosystemsupportingaprosperousBalticSearegion,includingaddressingpollutionofthemarineenvironmentbylitter,aswellasimpactsonmarineorganismsfromunderwaterimpulsiveandcontinuousnoise;19.
WITHOUTPREJUDICEtonationallegislation,internationalagreementsandlegislationoftheEuropeanUnion;20.
WEDOHEREBYADOPTthisHELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclaration.
2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage4of19FuturestrategicapproachforHELCOMI.
WEDECIDEtocontinuetostrengthencross-sectoralcooperationinthefieldsofmaritimetraffic,maritimespatialplanning,integratedcoastalmanagement,agricultureandfisheriesandstimulatetheimplementationoftheecosystemapproachinallsectorsandpolicies,throughawarenessraising,exchangeofexperiencesandimplementationofadequatemanagementprinciplesandmeasures;II.
WEALSODECIDEtofurtherpursuethecoordinateddevelopmentandimplementationofprogrammesofmeasuresfortheprotectionofthemarineenvironmentoftheBalticSea,throughHELCOM,buildingontheBalticSeaActionPlananditsfollowup,includingtheBSAPNationalImplementationProgrammesandthenutrientreductionscheme,withtheaimtoreachgoodenvironmentalstatusinthemostcost-efficientway;III.
InordertofurtheraligntheimplementationoftheecosystemapproachthroughtheHELCOMBSAP,theEUMarineStrategyFrameworkDirectiveimplementedbytheHELCOMContractingStatesbeingalsoEUMemberStatesandtheMaritimeDoctrineoftheRussianFederation,WEDECIDEto:-promotetheregionalknowledgeandspecificitiesoftheBalticSeaattheEuropeanandinternationalfora;-uselimitedresourceseffectivelybybetterdrawingonsynergiesbetweentheworkofHELCOM,otherrelevantinternationalorganisations,includingRegionalSeasOrganizations,andtheCommonMSFDImplementationStrategy;-producejointdocumentationinsupportofregionalcoordinationandcoherence-"BalticSearoofreports";IV.
WEFURTHERDECIDEtocooperatewithinstitutionshavingleadingexpertiseoneconomicandsocialanalysisoftheuseoftheBalticSeaandofthecostofdegradationofthemarineenvironmentinordertocontributetotheholisticassessment'ssocio-economicanalysis;V.
WEACKNOWLEDGEthatenvironmentaldeteriorationsuchasoxygendepletionisincreasinglyaffectingmarinelifebye.
g.
affectingthegeographicaldistributionandreproductivesuccessofcodandacceleratingeutrophicationbyincreasingtheinternalload;VI.
RECOGNIZINGtheneedtoreducehumanpressuresandtheircumulativeimpacts,WEAGREEtostrengthentheprotectionofbiodiversity,includinganimprovementofthenetworkoftheBalticSeaProtectedAreas,insuchawaythatBalticSeabiodiversitywilleffectivelycontributetotheresilienceandbufferingcapacityoftheecosysteminthefaceofexternalstressors,andthatbiodiversitycanoptimallycontributetomitigationofglobalclimatechangebystoringandabsorbingcarbon;VII.
WEDECIDEtobetterprepareandadaptpoliciesinresponsetotheimpactsofclimatechangeontheBalticSeaecosystemanditsservices,takingnecessarymeasuresinareassuchasagricultureandforestry,informedbymodellingpracticesandassessmentsoftheeffectsofclimatechangeontheBalticSeaecosystem,itscatchmentandtheresultinginputsofnutrientstothesea;VIII.
BEINGSERIOUSLYCONCERNEDaboutthegrowingevidenceofharmfuleffectsofmarinelitteronwildlifeandhabitatsandonmarinebiodiversityandtheenvironmentwithadominanceofplasticsofdifferentsizes(rangingfrommacro-tomicroparticles);IX.
WEAGREEtopreventandreducemarinelitterfromland-andsea-basedsources,causingharmfulimpactsoncoastalandmarinehabitatsandspecies,andnegativeimpactsonvariouseconomicsectors,suchasfisheries,shippingortourism,andtothisendDECIDEtodeveloparegionalactionplanby2015atthelatestwiththeaimofachievingasignificantquantitativereductionofmarinelitterby2025,comparedto2015,andtopreventharmtothecoastalandmarineenvironment;X.
WEAGREEtocontinuetheintensifiedeffortstoimprovedataandinformationqualityandavailabilityaswellascoordinatedmonitoringpractices,constitutingthebasisofHELCOMwork,whichistoensureasufficientknowledgebasefordevisingcost-efficientmeasuresandoveralltheimplementationoftheecosystemapproachandmanagementofhumanactivitiesintheBalticSea;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage5of19XI.
WEDECIDEtofurtherstreamlineHELCOMworkingstructures,makeresourcesavailableforidentifiedprioritiesandfostercross-sectorialcooperationandsynergies,inafocused,costefficientway.
TOTHISEND:WEADOPT-HELCOMRecommendation34E/1"SafeguardingimportantbirdhabitatsandmigrationroutesintheBalticSeafromnegativeeffectsofwindandwaveenergyproductionatsea";-RegionalBalticMaritimeSpatialPlanningRoadmap2013-2020;-HELCOMRecommendation34E/2"Furthertestinganddevelopmentoftheconceptofpro-activerouteplanningaswellasothere-navigationsolutionstoenhancesafetyofnavigationandprotectioninthemarineenvironmentintheBalticSeaRegion";-HELCOM-BSHCHarmonisedRe-surveyScheme2013,withtimescheduleestimationsandfundingarrangements,bearinginmindthatthesearelikelytobemodifiedwhennewnationalneedsorprioritiesarise;-HELCOMRecommendation34E/3"AmendmentstoAnnexVIIResponsetoPollutionAccidentsofthe1992HelsinkiConvention,concerningresponseontheshore";-HELCOMResponseManualVolumeIII"ResponsetoPollutionIncidentsontheshore";-HELCOMRecommendation34E/4"AirbornesurveillancewithremotesensingequipmentintheBalticSeaArea";WEFURTHERADOPTtheJointHELCOM/OSPARGuidelinesonthegrantingofexemptionsundertheInternationalConventionfortheControlandManagementofShips'BallastWaterandSediments,RegulationA-4andtherelatedHELCOMonlinedecisionsupporttoolandportsurveydatabase,andAGREEtodevelopfurthernecessarydetailsoftheJointHELCOM/OSPARGuidelinesthroughacontinuationofcooperationwithOSPAR;WEENDORSEregionalHELCOMInterimGuidanceontechnicalandoperationalaspectsofdeliveryofsewagebypassengershipstoportreceptionfacilitiesandNOTINGthattherearesomeoutstandingissuesidentifiedintheGuidance,AGREEtoclarifytheseopenissueslatestby2014;WEENDORSEtheupdatedHELCOMPaletteofoptionalagro-environmentalmeasurestobeimplementedthroughcorrespondinginternationalandnationalinstruments;WEALSOENDORSEthePaletteofmeasuresonmanagementoptionstoreducedischarges,emissions,andlossesofhazardoussubstancesfromvarioussources.
Thedocumentismeanttobeusedbynationalauthoritiesandindustriesasabackgroundonindicativemeasuresandtheircost-efficiencyandtoinformfurtherworkonregionallevel;WEADOPTtherevisedHELCOMMonitoringandAssessmentStrategyimplyingasix-yearmonitoringandassessmentcycle;WEWELCOMEthattheprovisionalnutrientreductionschemeoftheHELCOMBalticSeaActionPlanhasbeenreviewedandrevisedbasedonanewandmorecompletedatasetaswellasanimprovedmodelingapproachandrevisedharmonizedeutrophicationstatustargets,whichresultedinthefollowingMaximumAllowableInputs;BalticSeaSub-basinMaximumAllowableInputsReferenceinputs1997-2003NeededreductionsTN,tonsTP,tonsTN,tonsTP,tonsTN,tonsTP,tonsKattegat74,0001,68778,7611,6874,7610DanishStraits65,9981,60165,9981,60100BalticProper325,0007,360423,92118,32098,92110,960BothnianSea79,3722,77379,3722,77300BothnianBay57,6222,67557,6222,67500GulfofRiga88,4172,02088,4172,3280308GulfofFinland101,8003,600116,2527,50914,4523,909BalticSea792,20921,716910,34436,894118,13415,1782013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage6of19WERECOGNIZEthattherevisedMaximumAllowableInputsrepresentbestavailablescientificknowledgebaseanddata,andcharacterizetheHELCOMlong-termvisionoftheBalticSeaunaffectedbyeutrophicationthatweaspire;WEARECOMMITTEDtoimplementnutrientreductionstoimprovetheenvironmentalstatusofeutrophiedBalticSeasub-basinsincludingcoastalareas,evenifthemodellingapproachtakendidnotestablishreductionrequirementsfortheseareas1;WEWELCOMEtheoverallprogressinreducingphosphorusandnitrogeninputstotheBalticSeaandRECONFIRMthegoaloftheBalticSeaActionPlantoreachgoodenvironmentalstatusby2021.
WENOTE,however,thattheBalticSeaisstillaffectedbyeutrophicationandthat,whileduetonaturalprocessesitmaytakealongtimebeforetheHELCOMeutrophicationobjectivesarereached,modelingindicatesthatsignificantimprovementisexpectedtotakeplacerapidlyandimmediatelyafterreachingtheMaximumAllowableInputs;Withthisbackground,WERECOGNIZEthatinordertoreachtheecologicalobjectivesoftheBalticSeaActionPlanby2021,HELCOMContractingStatesneedtoconfrontthecontinuingchallengetofurthercuttheirdischargesandemissionstothemarineenvironmentandthatthechallengeislikelytobefurtherexacerbatedduetotheexpectedimpactsofclimatechangesontheBalticSeabasin;WEAGREEthatthefollowingrevisedCountryAllocatedReductionTargets(CARTs),coveringbothpollutionfromlandandairborne,substitutetheprovisionalcountry-wisenutrientreductionrequirementsoftheBalticSeaActionPlan:NitrogenPhosphorusDenmark289038Estonia1800320Finland2430+600*330+26*Germany7170+500*110+60*Latvia1670220Lithuania89701470Poland2436107480Russia10380*3790*Sweden9240530ThefiguresareroundedWEDECIDEtotakestrongactionstoreducethenutrientinputsfromHELCOMcountriesfurther,toreachgoodenvironmentalstatus,tobeincludedinnationalimplementationprogrammes,riverbasinmanagementplansandschemesaswellasprogrammesofmeasuresby2016,andjointlyaddresscommonchallenges,includingthroughsub-regionalandbilateralprojects,aswellasdevelopadditionalreductionmeasuresasneededbasedoncost-efficiencytobeinplaceby2020;WEACKNOWLEDGEthatsustainabilityofagriculturalproductionisakeytothesuccessofreachinginputreductionsforGoodEnvironmentalStatus,RECALLINGthatagriculturesubstantiallycontributestothenutrientinputstotheBalticSea;WESTRIVEforthedevelopmentandapplicationofsustainableagriculturalpracticeswiththeleastenvironmentalimpactsontheBalticSea,underpinnedbytechnical,economicandregulatorymeasures.
BasedonthelatestdevelopmentsandbestpracticeWEAIMatimprovedfarmnutrient1Finland'sviewisthataccordingtoHELCOMassessmentopenpartsoftheBothnianSea,landSeaandtheArchipelagoSeaareeutrophiedandneedreductionofnutrientlevels,althoughBALTSEMmodeldidnotestablishnutrientinputreductionrequirementstothedrainagebasinsoftheseseaareas.
Finlandwilladdresswaterprotectionmeasurestothedrainagebasinsoftheseareasinitsnationalplans.
2AtthispointintimePolandacceptsthePolishCountryAllocatedReductionTargetsasindicativeduetotheongoingnationalconsultations,andconfirmstheireffortstofinalizetheseconsultationsassoonaspossible.
*ReductionrequirementsstemmingfromGermancontributiontotheriverOdrainputs,basedonongoingmodelingapproacheswithMONERIS;FinnishcontributiontoinputsfromriverNevacatchment(viaVuoksiriver)thesefiguresincludeRussiancontributiontoinputsthroughDaugava,NemunasandPregolyariversThefiguresfortransboundaryinputsoriginatingintheContractingPartiesanddischargedtotheBalticSeathroughotherContractingPartiesarepreliminaryandrequirefurtherdiscussionwithinrelevanttransboundarywatermanagementbodies.
2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage7of19management,especiallymanurenutrientrecycling,includingcalculationofnutrientsurplusinfertilizationpractices,andnutrientaccountingatthefarmlevel;WESTRESSthattheachievementofgoodenvironmentalstatusinrelationtoeutrophicationintheBalticSeaalsoreliesonadditionalreductioneffortsbynon-ContractingPartiesasfollows:-18720tonsofairbornenitrogenfromnon-ContractingPartiesassumingfullimplementationoftheGothenburgProtocoltoAbateAcidification,EutrophicationandGround-levelOzoneoftheUNECEConventiononLong-rangeTransboundaryAirPollutionuntil2020;-3230tonsofwaterbornenitrogenand800tonsofwaterbornephosphorusfromnon-ContractingPartiesassumingthattheytakethesameresponsibilitytoreduceastheContractingParties,RECALLINGthedecisionoftheMoscowMinisterialMeetingonreductionofair-bornenitrogenpollutionfromshippingwhichwillleadtothereductionof6930tonsonnitrogenoverthirtyyearsWEALSOSTRESSthattheachievementofgoodenvironmentalstatusinrelationtoeutrophicationintheBalticSeaalsoreliesonadditionalreductioneffortsbyshipping;THEREFOREWEAGREEthattransboundarypollutionoriginatinginthenon-ContractingStatesshouldbeaddressedbyinitiatingjointactivitiese.
g.
bybi-and/ormultilateralprojectsandthroughotherexistingfundingmechanismsaswellasbyinternationalagreementssuchasthe1992UNECEConventiononTransboundaryWatersandLakes,andtheRiverBasinManagementPlansoftheEUWaterFrameworkDirectiveforHELCOMContractingStatesbeingalsoEUMemberStates;WEAPPRECIATEtheupcomingscientificbackgroundreport"RevisionofthemaximumallowableinputsandcountryallocationschemeofHELCOMBalticSeaActionPlan",NOTINGthatitcontainsinparticularamoredetailedoverviewoftheairborneandwaterbornecontributionsoftheContractingandnon-ContractingPartiestoformthebasisforadetailedfollow-upoftheachievementofthereductiontargetssetabove,andAGREEthatthisprocessneedstobefurtherdevelopedbasedonthebestavailablescientificknowledge,NOTINGthatforthoseHELCOMContractingPartiesbeingalsoEUMembersStatesitwouldneedtobecompatiblewiththerequirementsoftheMarineStrategyFrameworkDirective;RECOGNIZINGthatreductionsinnutrientinputsinsub-basinsmayhavewide-spreadeffects,WEAGREEthatextrareductionscanbeaccountedfor,inproportiontotheeffectonaneighboringbasinwithreductiontargets,bythecountriesinreachingtheirCountryAllocatedReductionTargets;WESUPPORTdevelopmentofenvironmentallysoundapproachestoremovethenutrientsbeforetheyenterinlandwatersandthesea,andtoaddresstheinternalloading,incoastalareasandsemi-enclosedlagoons,aswellasintheopensea;WEAGREEtomonitorandevaluateregularlytheprogressinimplementingthemeasures;WERECALLandCONFIRMthatthereisaneedforreviewofnutrientreductionschemebasedonbestavailablescientificknowledgeasnecessary;Finally,WEAGREEtofullyimplementthe2007BalticSeaActionPlanby2021.
WiththisDeclarationwithitsgeneralandspecificapproaches,actionsandmeasuresWEFURTHERAGREEtostepupeffortsforfurtherstrengthenedimplementationoftheBSAPWENOTEWITHAPPRECIATIONthefollowingfurthergeneralandspecificapproaches,actionsandmeasures.
WEWILLcontinuouslyREVIEWandREPORThowthesecommitmentsareimplemented.
2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage8of19Biodiversityandresilientecosystemswhichunderpinecosystemservices,humanwell-beingandprosperity1(B).
WEDECIDEtomaintainbiodiversityoftheBalticSeaandensurethatthequalityandoccurrenceofhabitatsandthedistributionandabundanceofspeciesisinlinewithprevailingphysiographic,geographicandclimaticconditions;2(B).
WEAGREEtomainstreamtheconservationofbiodiversity,specificallymarinebiodiversity,acrossgovernmentandsocietythroughmoreeffectivepolicyintegration,planningprocesses,incorporationintonationalaccounting,asappropriate,reportingsystemsandviaawarenessraising;3(B).
WEAGREE,forContractingPartiesbeingalsoEUMemberStates,touseHELCOMastheregionalcooperationplatformimplementingthebiodiversityrelatedaspectsofrelevantEUDirectivesandStrategies;4(B).
WEDECIDEtoimplementonaregionalleveltheStrategicPlanforBiodiversityforthe2011-2020periodoftheUNConventionofBiologicalDiversity,includingtheAichiBiodiversityTargets,takingintoaccountthespecialcharacteristicsoftheBalticSea,bearinginmindthattheimplementationofthePlanintheEUanditsMemberStatesiscarriedoutthroughtheEUBiodiversityStrategy,andmorespecificallyDECIDEto:developby2015regionaltargetsfortheimplementationoftheStrategicPlanforBiodiversity,includingthecompletionandfurtherdevelopmentofasetofHELCOMcoreindicatorsforbiodiversityandtheirmonitoring;increasepositiveincentivestoenhancereductionofpressuresonbiodiversityandtoworktowardseliminationby2020ofincentivesandsubsidieswhichcouldbeharmfultobiodiversityinordertoimprovethebufferingcapacityofthemarineandcoastalecosystemsforabetterresilience;takemeasuressothatby2020,regionally,thelossofallredlistedmarinehabitatsandbiotopesintheBalticSeawillbehaltedandtheyhavelargelyrecovered,andthatdegradationandfragmentationhavebeensignificantlyreduced,theprogressofwhichwillmeasuredwithacoreindicatortobeproduced;developby2015anewHELCOMRecommendationonconservationplansforspecies,habitatsandbiotopeswhichareatriskofextinction;protectseabirdsintheBalticSea,takingintoconsiderationmigratoryspeciesandneedforco-operationwithotherregionsthroughConventionsandinstitutionssuchastheAgreementonConservationofAfricanEurasianMigratoryWaterbirds(AEWA)undertheConventiononMigratorySpecies(CMS),andparticularlyintheNorthSea(OSPAR)andArctic(ArcticCouncil)areas;protectsturgeonthroughsupportingtheHELCOMprojectonBalticsturgeonremediationaswellasraisepublicawarenessconcerningre-introductionofsturgeonamongfishermen,otherrelevantstakeholdersandthepublic;protecttheringedsealintheGulfofFinland,whosepopulationisseverelydepletedandfacesextinctioninthisarea,STRESSINGthatimmediateactionisneededtosignificantlyreduceby-catchandtoimprovetheunderstandingoftheotherdirectthreatsontheseals,andURGEtransboundaryco-operationbetweenEstonia,FinlandandRussiatosupportachievingaviablepopulationofringedsealsintheGulf;takedecisiveactiontoworktowardsafavourableconservationstatusoftheharborporpoisebasedonimplementationoftheCMSASCOBANSJastarniaPlanfortheharborporpoiseintheBalticSea,inparticularbyaddressingthepressingproblemofby-catch;5(B).
WEAGREEtoreviseby2014HELCOMRecommendation15/5"SystemofcoastalandmarineBalticSeaprotectedareas(BSPAs)",takingintoconsiderationnewdevelopmentsunderrelevantlegislationoftheContractingPartiesaswellasundertheCBD,IUCNandotherinstitutions;6(B).
WEDECIDEtore-enforceactiontoachieveby2020anecologicallycoherentnetworkofwell-managedmarineprotectedareasfortheBalticSeaasdecidedintheBSAPandtheMoscowMinisterialDeclaration,includingtheobjectivetoprovidespecificprotectiontothosespecies,2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage9of19habitatsandbiotopesincludedintheHELCOMRedListsthatareconsideredtobeprioritiesforprotectionandhencecontributingtoachievingagoodenvironmentalstatusofthemarineenvironment;7(B).
WEAGREEtomodernizeby2014theHELCOMBSPAdatabasetomakeitpubliclyavailableandtoupdateby2015theassessmentofecologicalcoherenceofthenetworkofprotectedareasintheBalticSea,withanevaluationofmarineareasinneedoffurtherprotection;8(B).
WEAGREEtostrengthentheeffortstoimplementthedecisionmadeattheHELCOM2010MoscowMinisterialMeetingtodevelopandapplyby2015,managementplansand/ormeasuresforalreadyexistingBalticSeaProtectedAreas;andtofolloweverynewBSPAdesignationbytheestablishmentofamanagementplanand/ormeasureswithinfiveyears;Fisheries-relatedactions,especiallywithinMarineProtectedAreas9(B).
WEAGREEtoensurethatmeasurestoaddressfisheriespracticeswhichhaveanegativeimpactonconservationgoalsand/orthreatenedordecliningspeciesandhabitatsarecontinued,includingnewmeasurestobeinitiatedby2015;10(B).
WEAGREEtofurtherworktodevelopandimplement,assoonaspossible,sustainablefishingmethodsandpracticesintomanagementplansformarineprotectedareas,inordertocontributetomeetingthespecificconservationobjectivessetforthemarineprotectedareas,includingprotectingessentialfishhabitats,andcooperatewiththeInternationalCouncilfortheExplorationoftheSeas(ICES)andregionalstakeholdersincludingEUBalticSeaRegionalAdvisoryCouncilandBALTFISHForum,whendoingso;11(B).
WESUPPORTthefurtherdevelopmentandtestingoftheHELCOMgenericdecision-supporttooltomappossiblenegativeimpactsofspecificgeartypesonthreatenedordecliningspeciesandhabitats,andwhichhelpstodevelopand/orrecommendmeasurestoaddressthese;Ecosystem-basedfisheries12(B).
WEAGREEthatpopulationsofallcommerciallyexploitedfishandshellfishshouldbewithinsafebiologicallimits,exhibitingapopulationageandsizedistributionindicativeofahealthystockandthatMaximumSustainableYieldshallbeachievedby2015wherepossibleandonaprogressive,incrementalbasisatthelatestby2020forallstocks;13(B).
WEWELCOMEtheintroduction,asfrom2015,ofthediscardbanundertheEUCommonFisheriesPolicyandSUPPORTregionallyappropriatesolutionstosolvingthediscardproblemsuchasthroughimprovedselectivityandfishingbehaviorandincentivestofacilitateasmoothtransitiontoapplyingtheban;14(B).
WESUPPORTanecosystem-basedapproachforfisheriesmanagementwiththedevelopmentofamulti-speciesmanagementplanforthemaincommercialBalticSeafishstocksincludingconservationmeasurestomaintainorrestorefishstocksabovelevelscapableofproducingMaximumSustainableYield(MSY)exploitationratesby2015wherepossibleandby2020atthelatest;ThisapproachshouldcontributetotheachievementofGoodEnvironmentalStatusasmeasuredbyindicatorsunderthecoherentimplementationofHELCOMBSAPandtheEUMarineStrategyFrameworkDirective;15(B).
WEDECIDEtotakeactiontoreducethenegativeimpactsoffishingactivitiesonthemarineecosystemandtothisend,SUPPORTthedevelopmentoffisheriesmanagementandtechnicalmeasurestominimizeunwantedby-catchoffish,birdsandmammalsinordertoachievetheclosetozerotargetforby-catchratesoftheBalticSeaActionPlanandminimizedamagetoseabedhabitats;16(B).
WEAGREEtocontinuetheworkonstrengtheningecosystem-basedmanagementforcoastalfishpopulations,utilizing,andenhancingasfaraspossible,monitoringforassessmentofcoastalfishcommunities;17(B).
WEAGREEtocontinuetoworktodevelopcommonprocedurestofacilitatethesharingofaggregateddataonfisheriesactivitiesintheBalticSeainanapplicableformatforthepurposeofassessingpressuresonmarineandcoastalecosystemse.
g.
tobeappliedinmaritimespatialplanning.
2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage10of19Salmonandsea-trout18(B).
WENOTEtheregionalperspectiveintheEuropeanCommissionproposalforamulti-annualplanfortheBalticsalmonstockanditstargetsonprotectionandrestorationofriverinehabitatsandpopulationsbasedonHELCOMresultsandthescientificadvicefromICES;19(B).
BEINGAWAREthatmanyoftheBalticsalmonandseatroutstocksareunlikelytoachieveMSYby2015,WEAGREEtoprioritiseandintensifyimplementationofHELCOMBSAP(2007)conservationgoalsfortheBalticsalmonandseatrouttobemetby2015,basedonHELCOMRecommendation32-33/1"ConservationofBalticSalmon(Salmosalar)andSeaTrout(Salmotrutta)populationsbytherestorationoftheirriverhabitatsandmanagementofriverfisheries",andtheupcomingEUmulti-annualplanfortheBalticsalmonstockandthefisheriesexploitingthatstock(asapplicabletoEUMemberStates),throughexchangeofbestpractices,knowledgeandexperiencesonregionallevel,aswellasfollow-upinitiativesaddressingsalmonandseatroutrestorationactivitiesandfurtherdevelopmentandimplementation,by2015andonwards,inco-operationwithICES,of:-commonpracticesforbreeding,rearingandreleasingsalmonandseatroutasreintroductionsinpotentialsalmonidrivers;-investigationsofneededimprovementsforstockingpractices(e.
g.
biologicalandgeneticalguidelines);-recommendationsforriverineandestuarinemanagementandconservationmeasures,suchasfishwaysforupanddownmigration,restorationandprotectionofspawninggrounds,concerningfisherieswithinriversandestuaries;-comparablemethodologyfordatacollectionthroughsurveys,especiallyonrecreationalfisheries;BalticSeacod20(B).
ACKNOWLEDGINGtheimportantrecoveryoftheEasterncodspawningstockbiomassesintheBalticSea,WESUPPORTthefurtherimplementationofcommitmentsundertheBSAPandrelevantlegislationtosecurethefullrecoveryofallcodstockstohealthypopulationsizeandagedistributionby2020andmanagementconsistentwithachievingMSY,withtheaimoffurtherdevelopingandapplyinganecosystemapproachtofisheries;Europeaneel21(B).
BEINGCONCERNEDwiththecriticalstatusofEuropeaneelandthatfisheriesmanagementandothermeasuresundertakenbyindividualcountrieshavenotyetshownanysignificantimprovementinthestatusofeel,WEAGREEtocontinuetheeffortsunderwayandenhanceco-ordinationofmeasureswithintheBalticSeaaswellaswithotherEuropeancountries,fortheconservationofeelstocks,inlinewithnationaleelmanagementplansandtoconsideradditionalmeasuresifnecessary,suchasreducingfishingmortalityinaccordancewiththeICESAdvice,removingmigrationbarriers,andre-stockingineel-saferiversystems,e.
g.
utilisingtheoutcomesofco-operationbetweenICES,HELCOMandotherstakeholdersonthisissue;Sustainableaquaculture22(B).
HIGHLIGHTINGtheincreasingimportanceofsustainableaquaculture,WEAGREEtodevelopanewHELCOMRecommendationonsustainableaquacultureby2014tosubstitutetheexistingHELCOMRecommendation25/4aimingatlimitingpotentialenvironmentalimpactsofaquacultureactivitiessuchastheintroductionofnon-indigenousspecies,ecologicalandgeneticimpactsonwildfishstocksfromunintendedreleasesoffarmedspecies,nutrientpollution,aswellasintroductionofantibioticsandotherpharmaceuticals;Recreationalfisheries23(B).
RECOGNIZINGthatrecreationalfisheriesconductede.
g.
fromboatsusingcommercialgearsatacertainscalemaycontributetofishingmortalityofcertaincommerciallyexploitedfishstocksandimpactsonbiodiversity,WEAGREEtoaskforadvicefromRegionalCoordinationGroupswithintheEUDataCollectionFrameworkandICESonhowtoimprovedatacollectedonsuchrecreationalfisheries,withaviewtoevaluatetheimpactsofsuchrecreationalfisheriesonthemarineenvironment;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage11of19Marinelitter24(B).
WEAGREEthattheregionalactionplanonmarinelittershouldallowto:carryoutconcretemeasuresforpreventionandreductionofmarinelitterfromitsmainsourceswiththeaimofachievingsignificantquantitativereductionsfocusinginteraliaonworkingwithindustrytoreduceorphaseoutmicrobeadsincertainproductsinthemarketdevelopandtesttechnologyforremovalofmicroplasticsandnanoparticlesinmunicipalwastewatertreatmentplantsby2020andinteraliaworkwithindustrytobantheuseofmicroplasticsandontheassessmentoftheuseofnanoparticleswithintheproductionprocess(e.
g.
incosmetics);utilizeexistingnetworkstoaddressmarinelitterissues;developcommonindicatorsandassociatedtargetsrelatedtoquantities,composition,sourcesandpathwayofmarinelitter,includingriverineinputs,inordertogaininformationonlong-termtrends,andcarryoutthemonitoringoftheprogresstowardsachievingtheagreedgoalsandtogainaninventoryofmarinelitterintheBalticSeaaswellasscientificsoundevaluationofitssources.
Wherepossible,theharmonizedmonitoringprotocolsbasedontherecommendationsoftheEUTechnicalSubgrouponMarineLitterwillbeused;identifythesocio-economicandbiologicalimpactsofmarinelitter,alsointermsoftoxicityoflitter;reviewregularlytheeffectivenessofthemeasures,forthefirsttimeby2020;Introductionofenergy,includingunderwaternoise25(B).
WEAGREEthatthelevelofambientanddistributionofimpulsivesoundsintheBalticSeashouldnothavenegativeimpactonmarinelifeandthathumanactivitiesthatareassessedtoresultinnegativeimpactsonmarinelifeshouldbecarriedoutonlyifrelevantmitigationmeasuresareinplace,andaccordinglyassoonaspossibleandbytheendof2016,usingmainlyalreadyon-goingactivities,to:establishasetofindicatorsincludingtechnicalstandardswhichmaybeusedformonitoringambientandimpulsiveunderwaternoiseintheBalticSea;encourageresearchonthecauseandeffectsofunderwaternoiseonbiota;mapthelevelsofambientunderwaternoiseacrosstheBalticSea;setuparegisteroftheoccurrenceofimpulsivesounds;considerregularmonitoringonambientandimpulsiveunderwaternoiseaswellaspossibleoptionsformitigationmeasuresrelatedtonoisetakingintoaccounttheongoingworkinIMOonnon-mandatorydraftguidelinesforreducingunderwaternoisefromcommercialshipsandinCBDcontext;NutrientPollutionfromairandwaterbornesourcesonlandAgriculture1(N).
RECOGNISINGchallengesinaddressingdiffusepollution,ACKNOWLEDGINGthatsustainableagriculturalproductionisakeytothesuccessofreachingGoodEnvironmentalStatus,andBEINGAWAREthatmodernizationandfuturedevelopmentofagricultureproductionintheBalticSearegion,includingeffectivenutrientmanagementcanbringopportunitiesforbetteraddressingnutrientlossestothesea;2(N).
WEAGREEtomakeuseofappropriatepolicyandeconomicinstrumentssuchasfullimplementationofEUaquisincludingEUMarineStrategyFrameworkDirective,NitratesDirective,WaterFrameworkDirective,IntegratedPollutionPreventionandControlandCommonAgriculturalPolicyforEUMemberStatesandfundingopportunitiesonnationalandinternationallevel,aswellaseconomicleviesandincentives,inordertominimizenutrientlossesinagricultureandthuscontributetokeepingthenutrientinputstotheBalticSeabelowtheMaximumAllowableInputs;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage12of193(N).
RECOGNIZINGthevalueofanopendialogueontheregionallevelamongauthorities,farmerorganizations,industryandotherstakeholders,WEACKNOWLEDGEtheHELCOMAgricultureandEnvironmentForumasaplatformforthematicdiscussionsontheapplicabilityanddevelopmentofmeasures;4(N).
WEAGREEtoinitiateactivitytoidentify/verifyareascriticaltoNandPlosses,utilizingtheavailabledataandasastartingpoint,toenabledirectingtargetedandcost-effectivemeasureswheretheycanbringthegreatestenvironmenteffect,e.
g.
compulsorymeasuresonmanurehandling(storageandapplication)forinstallationsofintensiverearingofcattle,poultryandpigs;5(N).
WEAGREEtofacilitateenhancedtransferofknowledgeandtechnologyandexchangeofgoodexamplesaswellasdevelopmentofco-operationprojectstoreduceagriculturalimpactontheBalticSea;6(N).
WERE-ITERATEthecommitmenttoimplementandenforcetheprovisionsofpartIIofAnnexIII"PreventionofPollutionfromAgriculture"oftheHelsinkiConventionandSUPPORTitseffectiveandcost-efficientimplementation;7(N).
WEDECIDEtoinvestigatemeasurestoreducenutrientsurplusinfertilizationpracticestoreachnutrientbalancedferitilizationwiththeobjectivetocometoanagreementonnationallevelby2018;8(N).
WEAGREEtopromoteandadvancetowardsapplyingby2018atthelatestannualnutrientaccountingatfarmleveltakingintoaccountsoilandclimateconditionsgivingthepossibilitytoreachnutrientbalancedfertilizationandreducenutrientlossesatregionallevelinthecountries,notingthepositiveexamplesofmandatoryrequirementsonnutrientbookkeepinginsomeHELCOMcountriesandwithanaimtoapplyitregion-wide,asafirststep,inareascriticaltonutrientlosses;9(N).
WEAGREEtofollow-upandexchangeexperiencesandideasforpotentialdevelopmentofpolicyinstruments,bothvoluntaryandmandatory,aswellasmeasuresforimprovedfarmnutrientmanagement;10(N).
WithaviewtofullyutilizenutrientcontentofmanureinfertilizationpracticesandtoavoidoverfertilizationWEALSOAGREEtoestablishby2016nationalguidelinesorstandardsfornutrientcontentinmanureandtodevelopby2018guidelines/recommendationontheuseofsuchstandards;11(N).
WEAGREEtoinitiateandaccomplishby2016areviewandanupdatingofpartIIofAnnexIIIoftheHelsinkiConvention,inordertobetterservethepurposesofreachinggoodenvironmentalstatus;12(N).
AwaitingthereleaseoftheupdatedEU'sBREFdocumentandConclusionsonBATforintensiverearingofpoultryandpigs(tobecomelegallybindingundertheEUDirectiveonIndustrialEmissions),WEAGREEontheapplicationofatleastequallyambitiousBATthroughouttheregion,especiallyforthefacilitieslocatedwithinareascriticaltonutrientlosses;13(N).
RECOGNIZINGtheconcernsaboutlimitedfuturesuppliesofnutrients,especiallyphosphorus,andthewaterandsoilpollutioncausedbythelossesatseveralstepsoftheirlifecycle,STRESSINGtheneedforsustainableuseofnutrients,AGREEtoenhancetherecyclingofphosphorus(especiallyinagricultureandwastewatertreatment)andtopromotedevelopmentofappropriatemethodology;14(N).
WEAGREEtoapplyinnovativewatermanagementmeasures,inparticularunderdifficultsoilconditions,toensurethatupgradingandrenovationoftheagriculturaldrainagesystemsaimatreducingnutrientconcentrationsintheoutletsoftheadjacentcatchment;Pointsources15(N).
WEAGREEtoprioritizefurtherupgradingofwastewatertreatmenttofullyimplementHELCOMRecommendation28E/5,interaliathroughlaunchingpilotactivitiesbyengagingawidernetworkofmunicipalities,andwhereappropriateenhancingco-operationinenvironmentalfieldundertheEUStrategyfortheBalticSeaRegionbetweenHELCOMcountriesbeingEUMemberStates;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage13of1916(N).
WEDECIDEtocontinuouslyassesspotentialsignificantsourcesofnutrientpollutiononlande.
g.
industries,fur-andfish-farming,andwhenneeded,addressthemwithabatementmeasuresand/oremissionlimits;HotSpotsunderJointComprehensiveEnvironmentalActionProgramme17(N).
BasedontheassessmentofefficiencyoftheJointComprehensiveEnvironmentalActionProgramme(JCP),1992-2012,WEACKNOWLEDGEtheeffortsundertakenwithsupportofInternationalFinancialInstitutesandEuropeaninstitutionstoclean-upandremediate110pollutionhotspots,whichhasledtosignificantreductionsofpollutionloads,includingnutrientsfromthehotspotsandprovingtheoverallvalueoftheJCPinimprovementofenvironmentalsituationintheBalticSearegion;18(N).
RECOGNISINGthechallengesinremediationofstillactivehotspots(52),especiallyrepresentedbyagriculturalrun-off(6)andcoastalmanagementprogrammes(3),WEAGREEto:-aimforeliminationofremaininghotspotsfromtheJCPListaspartoftheimplementationoftheBalticSeaActionPlanby2018latest,withaviewthatmunicipal(23)andindustrial(20)hotspotsshouldberemovedfromtheListby2016;PossibleremainingJCPHotSpotsshouldthenbeincludedintheNationalImplementationProgrammesoftheBalticSeaActionPlan;-followuptheprogressinhotspotsremediationandsupportexchangeofinformationandknowledge,especiallyonapplicationofBATforremainingindustrialhotspots,withaviewtofacilitatenecessaryabatementmeasurestospeedupremediation;19(N).
WEENCOURAGEandAPPRECIATEnationalinitiativestopromotegreentechnologiesandpracticestoimplementallsegmentsoftheBalticSeaActionPlan;Hazardoussubstancesfromairandwaterbornesourcesonland1(H).
WESUPPORTintensificationofeffortsandco-operationtoreduceinputsofhazardoussubstanceswithanultimateaimtoreachgoodenvironmentalstatus,throughe.
g.
:-monitoringandassessmentofairborneinputsanddevelopmentofmeasuresaddressingairbornetransportofhazardoussubstances;-encouragingcontinuedresearchonhazardoussubstancesofspecificconcerntotheBalticSea,includingontheirinteractionandcumulativeeffectsaswellassourcereductionmeasuresanddevelopmentofcost-efficientend-of-pipesolutions,incollaborationwithe.
g.
theBONUSProgrammeandthePriorityAreaHazardoftheEUStrategyfortheBalticSeaRegion;-assessingtheneedforjointmeasurestoreduceemissionsanddischargesofhazardoussubstances;-makinguseofinformationgeneratedbyREACHRegulation,EUWFDandEUMSFD,e.
g.
substance-specificriskassessmentsanddossiers,etc.
,aswellasexchanginginformationcollectedwithinHELCOMworkwithrelevantlegalframeworksandintheIPCheMexposureknowledgebase,aplatformtoexchangeandaccessmonitoringinformation,2(H).
NOTINGthattheWholeEffluentAssessmentapproachwastestedandevaluatedforpossibleintroductionintheBalticSearegionthroughajointregion-wideresearchinitiative,WEAGREEthatfurtherresearchisneededbeforeitsregion-wideapplicationcanberecommendedasacost-efficientinstrument;3(H).
RECOGNIZINGthattheconcentrationsofseveralofthe11hazardoussubstances/substancegroupsidentifiedwithinHELCOMasofspecificconcerntotheBalticSeaneedtobefurtherreducedinthemarineenvironmentinordertoreachgoodenvironmentalstatusandthatadditionalriskmanagementmeasuresareneededespeciallyforsomesubstancegroups:WEENCOURAGEearlyratificationoftheUNEP2013MinamataConventiononMercury,aswellasaquickstartoftheimplementationoftheConvention,takingintoaccountexistingandpossiblyupdatedHELCOMRecommendationslimitingtheuseofmercuryinproductsandprocesses;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage14of19WERE-ITERATEtheagreementtoestablishcombustionefficiencyrequirementsand/oremissionlimitvaluesfordioxinsaccordingtoHELCOMRecommendation28E/8by2016inordertominimizedioxinemissionsfromsmall-scalecombustionsourcesaswellasdevelopcost-efficientandBATmeasurestolarge-scaleindustrialsources;4(H).
BEINGCONCERNEDaboutthenegativeimpactsofsomepharmaceuticalsandresistantmicro-organisms,WEDECIDEtocollectmoreinformationandassessthestateofcontaminationwithpharmaceuticalsandtheirdegradationproductsoftheaquaticenvironment,whichwouldalsocontributetothedevelopmentoftheEU'sstrategicapproachtoaddressingthepollutionofwaterbypharmaceuticalsubstances,andtodevelopmeasures,asappropriate,topreventpharmaceuticalsfromreachingtheBalticSea;5(H).
RECOGNIZINGtheimportanceofraisingpublicawarenessinthefieldofhazardoussubstances,WEAGREEtofurtherpromoteandcontinuouslysupportactionsaimingatchanginge.
g.
consumerbehaviortowards"greener"(lessassociatedwithuseofhazardoussubstances)products,processesandservices;6(H).
ACKNOWLEDGINGthatduetoradioactivefalloutfromtheChernobylaccidenttheBalticSeahasthehighestconcentrationsof137CsofanyregionalseaandRECOGNIZINGtheriskofpollutionbyradioactivesubstancescausedbynuclearaccidentsintheBalticSeacatchmentareaorfartheraway,WEAGREEtocontinuemonitoringofradioactivesubstancesinaccordancewithHELCOMRecommendation26/3andmakingassessmentsoftheimpactsofradioactivityonthemarineenvironmentandhumans;Shippingandactivitiesatsea1(M).
RECOGNIZINGtheinternationalnatureofshippingandtheneedtoagreeonglobalrulesforshippingintheInternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO)andRECALLINGtheroleofHELCOM,accordingtotheHelsinkiConvention,intheeffectiveandharmonizedimplementationofrulesadoptedbytheIMO,WEREAFFIRMtheimportanceofjointproposalstoIMOregardingtherulemakingtopromotecleanandsafeshippingintheBalticSeaarea;BallastWater2(M).
WEWELCOMEtheaccessionstotheIMOBallastWaterManagementConventionbySwedenon24November2009,theRussianFederationon24May2012,Denmarkon11September2012andratificationbyGermanyon20June2013,andENCOURAGEtheremainingHELCOMcountriestospeeduptheratificationoftheConventiontakingintoaccounttheagreementfrom2007tohavetheConventionratifiedbyallBalticSeacountriesby2013;3(M).
WEAGREEtodevelop,basedonanoverviewofthesituation,acomprehensiveregionalBalticSeaimplementationplanfortheIMOBallastWaterManagementConventionbytheendof2014bearinginmindthepossibleneedtoacceptatransitionalperiodforexemptionsincaseoflackingdata;SewagefromShips4(M).
EMPHAZISINGtheimportanceofreducingnutrientinputstotheBalticSeafromships'sewage,andRECALLINGthedesignationoftheBalticSeaasaSpecialAreaunderIMOMARPOLAnnexIV,WEAGREEtocontinueeffortstoupgradeportreceptionfacilitiesintheremainingports,inordertostriveforthatHELCOMcountriesareinthepositiontoreporttoIMO,by2014(IMOMEPC67),thatadequatefacilitiesareavailablefortheregulationtoenterintoforceby1January2016fornewships;5(M).
WEWELCOMEtheeffortsbythecruiseindustrytouseonboardwastewatertreatmentplantsoncruiseshipsoperatingintheBalticSeawhichmeetthestandardssetbyIMOfortheBalticSeaaspartoftheMARPOLAnnexIVSpecialAreadesignation;Airborneemissionsfromships6(M).
EMPHASIZINGtheimportanceandRECOGNIZINGtheneedofreducingnutrientinputstotheBalticSeaalsofromairborneemissionsfromshipping,whichconstitutes7%oftheoverallnitrogendepositiontotheBalticSea,andRECALLINGthe2010MoscowMinisterialdecisiontoworktowardssubmitting,preferablyby2011,ajointproposalbytheBalticSeacountriestotheIMOapplyingfortheNOxEmissionControlArea(NECA)statusfortheBalticSea,takingintoaccounttheresultsofthestudybyHELCOMontheeconomicimpactsofaBalticSeaNECA;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage15of197(M).
WESUPPORTtheideaofadesignationofNOxEmissionControlAreainotherseaareas,particularlytheneighbouringareasaslargergeographiccoverageofNECAwouldbringgreaterenvironmentalbenefits;8(M).
WETAKENOTEofthefactthatduetotheneedforfurthertechnicalconsultationsamongstsomeoftheContractingPartiesasregardstotheavailabilityoftechnologytoimplementtheTierIIINOxemissionstandardsunderMARPOLAnnexVI,theapplicationontheBalticSeaNECAhasnotyetbeensubmittedtoIMO.
WENOTEthatinthatcontext,inordertomoveforward,HELCOMStakeholderConference"BalticSea–NOxEmissioncontrolarea"wasorganizedinMarch2013whichdiscussedtheavailabilityoftechnologytoimplementtheTierIIINOxemissionstandardsunderMARPOLAnnexVI,includingfurtherenhancementofexistinganddevelopmentofnewrelevanttechnology.
AreviewofthestatusoftechnologicaldevelopmentstoimplementtheTierIIINOxemissionsstandardshasbeenpreparedbyIMOandconsideredinMay2013;9(M).
EMPHASIZINGtheneedtoworkjointlyinco-operationwithotherregionalgovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizations,theindustryandresearchcommunity,tofurtherpromotedevelopmentandenhanceduseofgreentechnologiesandalternativefuels,includingLNG,methanolaswellasotherpropulsiontechnologies,inordertoreduceharmfulexhaustgasemissionsandgreenhousegasesfromships,WEAGREEtoworktowardsthecreationofajoint"GreenTechnologyandAlternativeFuelsPlatformforShipping"togetherwithotherregionalactorsintheBalticSea;10(M).
WEWELCOMEco-operationbetweentheContractingPartiestoenhancetheenforcementofthemorestringentlimitsforSOxemissionsthatwillcomeintoforcein2015;Safetyofnavigation11(M).
RECALLINGtheHELCOMCopenhagen2001,Krakow2007andMoscow2010commitmentstoincreasesafetyofnavigationintheBalticSea,WEAGREEtofurtherstrengthenco-operationwithIMOinthefieldofsafetyofnavigationandtofurtherdeveloptechnicalco-operationbetweentheEuropeanMaritimeSafetyAgencyandHELCOM,includingtoeasecollectionandanalysisofmaritimedatarelevantfortheBalticSea;12(M).
WEAGREEtofurtherworkwithregardtotheregionalHELCOMAISsystemoperationalsince2005inordertoincreasesafetyofnavigationandgainenvironmentalbenefits;13(M).
WEAGREEtocomprehensivelyassessthestatus,environmentalrisksandopportunitiesofmaritimeactivitiesintheBalticSearegionwithinHELCOMby2016,contributingtotheHELCOMHolisticAssessmentplannedfor2016,aswellastosafetymeasuresincludingrouteingandthoseonwinternavigation,andfurtherAGREEtodisseminateinformationontheBalticSeaenvironmentalregimeformariners,byupdatingthe"HELCOMCleanSeasGuide"andfurtherdevelopingtheonlineMariners'RouteingGuideBalticSea;14(M).
RECALLINGtheHELCOMCopenhagen2001,Krakow2007andMoscow2010commitmentsonhydrographicre-surveyandCOMMENDINGWITHAPPRECIATIONthesubsequentsubstantialprogressmadeinsystematicre-surveyingofmajorshippingroutesandportsintheregionaccordingtotheHELCOM-BSHCRe-surveySchemeaimedatensuringthatsafetyofnavigationintheBalticSearegionisnotendangeredbyinadequatesourceinformation;15(M).
WEAGREEtotakeactionstoensurethecompletionofthere-surveysforareasusedbynavigation(CATIandII)withinthetimeschedulesestimatedinthe2013Re-surveyScheme,topromotewideruseofaccurateandreliabledepthinformationbye.
g.
developingexistingand/ornewproductsincludinganenhancedandfreelyaccessibleBalticSeaDepthModel,andtofosterCATIIIre-surveysofotherareasnotprimarilyforsafetyofnavigationpurposes,e.
g.
forenvironmentalprotection;16(M).
RECALLINGtheHelsinkiConventionArticle9onpleasurecraft,WEAGREEtoconsideranassessmentofpleasurecraftactivitiesintheBalticSeaArea,includinginteraliatheirenvironmentalimpactsandrisksofaccidents,inordertoconsiderthesafetyofnavigationofbothrecreationalaswellascommercialvessels;Enforcementofinternationalregulations17(M).
WEAGREEtoenhanceco-operationbetweenParisMoUandHELCOMbyapplyingforadvisorstatusofHELCOMtoParisMoUonPortStateControl;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage16of19Preparednessandresponsetopollutionatseaandontheshore1(R).
RECALLINGcommitmentsonregionalco-operationincombattingmarinepollutionandnotificationandconsultationonpollutionincidentsincludedintheHelsinkiConventionanditsAnnexVII,WEAGREEtoconsiderandimplementtherecommendationsoftheHELCOMBRISKandBRISK–RUprojectstostrengthenpreparednessandresponsecapacitytomarineaccidentsintheBalticSea;Preparednessandresponseontheshoreandoiledwildliferesponse2(R).
NOTINGthecurrentstatusofOiledWildlifeResponse(OWR)intheBalticSeacountries,WEAGREEtodevelopandadoptnationalwildliferesponseplansby2016;AGREEtostrengthentheworkonOWRunderHELCOMRESPONSEthroughatargetedexpertworkinggroupandbyenhancingco-operationwithNGOsandtheprivatesector,interaliainordertoaccommodatetheinvolvementofvolunteers;3(R).
WEWELCOMEthesubmissionbyDenmark,PolandandothercountriestoIMOofapaperregardingdischargingofparaffinwax,thesubstancewhichhasbeenfoundwasheduponseveralbeachesinthecountriesborderingtheBalticSeaduringthelastfewyears;Preparednessandresponsetoaccidentsatsea4(R).
WEAGREEtoupdateHELCOMManualonCo-operationinCombattingMarinePollutionVolumeII,focusingonresponsetoaccidentsatseainvolvingspillsofhazardoussubstancesandlossofpackageddangerousgoodsby2016;5(R).
WEAGREEtofurtherdevelopby2015regionalpreparednessandresponserelatedservicesincludingHELCOMSeaTrackWeb,HELCOMAutomaticIdentificationSystem,HELCOMPollutionReportingSystem(POLREP),HELCOMGISandlinkstorelevantEUsystemstowardsasecondgenerationHELCOMoilresponseinformationsystemcoveringthewholeBalticSeaonanequalbasis;Hazardoussubmergedobjects6(R).
WEAGREEtoproduceby2015,aone-offHELCOMthematicassessmentonenvironmentalrisksofhazardoussubmergedobjectscoveringcontaminatedwrecks,lostordumpeddangerousgoods(e.
g.
containers),andotherobjects,alsoutilizingthe2013reportondumpedchemicalmunitions;Marineknowledge,monitoringandassessment1(K).
WEAGREEtodevelopregionalassessmentsjointlyandinsuchawaythattheycanbeusedbytheContractingPartiesinassessmentsoftheirmarineandcoastalwaters,aswellasfortheirreportingpurposesunderEUMSFDandotherinternationalframeworks,andWEAGREEtostartimplementingtherevisedHELCOMMonitoringandAssessmentStrategyimmediately,including:a.
asthefirststep,toreviewandupdatethemonitoringprogrammeby2014,andrelatedguidelinesandmanualsby2015,andtherebystreamlinetheworkoftheContractingPartiestoservetheBSAPandotherinternationalandnationalmonitoringandreportingrequirementssuchastheMSFDandMaritimeDoctrineoftheRussianFederation;b.
tofurtherdevelop,testandapplyHELCOMassessmenttoolsstartingalreadyin2014;c.
todevelopanddeliveroperationalassessmentsofpressures,includingnutrientandhazardoussubstancesinputs(PLC),impactsoffisheriesonotherspeciesandontheseabed,pressuresfromshippingandotherrelevantpressuresontheBalticSeaandusethesetoupdatetheBalticSeaImpactIndexandtosupporttheimplementationofecosystem-basedMaritimeSpatialPlanning;d.
by2016,todevelopthesecondholisticassessmentofecosystemhealth,includingthestatusoftheBalticSeainregardtoeutrophication,hazardoussubstancesandbiodiversity;e.
tomaketheRedListassessmentsofBalticSeaspeciesandhabitats/biotopesaregularactivitywhichwillenablethetrackingoflong-termtrendsinthestatusoftheBalticSeabiodiversity;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage17of19f.
tomaketheassessmentofregionalclimatechangeanditsimplicationsontheBalticSeaecosystemaregularactivity,collaboratingwithBalticEarth(BALTEX)inthisrespect,withtheaimtomakeitanindicator-basedassessment;2(K).
WESUPPORTthefirstsetofcoreindicatorsofenvironmentalstatusandpressureswiththeintentionthattheywillformthebasisofanindicator-basedfollow-upsystemformeasuringprogresstowardsachievinggoodenvironmentalstatuswithafullsetofoperationalcoreindicators,andfurtherSTRESSthatthejointcoordinatedmonitoringbytheContractingPartiesshouldprovidethedatanecessaryforregularupdatingoftheHELCOMcoreindicatorsandassessments;3(K).
WEAGREEtodevelopmonitoringandassessmentmethodsfortherateoflossofquantityandqualityofnaturalmarinehabitatstoservefurthercoreindicatordevelopmentandtheneedsstemmingfromimplementationoftheUNCBDAichitargets,andAGREEtoenhancescientificunderstandingofBalticSeaspeciesandhabitatsandbiotopes,aswellaspressuresandimpactmechanismsactingonecosystems,ecosystemservicesandthebenefitsprovidedbytheBalticSeaenvironment;4(K).
WEAGREEtoreviewtheagreedsetofHELCOMeutrophicationindicatorsandstatustargetsatregularintervals,especiallyinthelightofnewscientificfindingsandfurtherdevelopedecologicalmodelsfortheassessmentofeutrophication,andthatthisprocessshouldalsoaimforfurtherregionaldifferentiationofthetargets,inparticularinthecoastalzone,withtheviewtoseekcoherencebetweenopenseaandcoastalwaterstargets;5(K).
STRESSINGtheneedforspatiallyandtemporallyrelevantdataandinformationatscalescorrespondingtodiverseplanninganddecision-makingprocesses,andUNDERLININGthescarcityofsuchdataandinformationfortheBalticSea,WEAGREEtostrengtheneffortstoensurethatdataandinformationmeetingtheserequirementsareobtainedandmadeavailable;6(K).
WEDECIDEtofurtherdevelopandupdateHELCOMdataandinformationsystemswiththeviewtostrengthenHELCOM'sroleasthekeyBalticSeadatahubforonlineinformationonthestateoftheenvironmentaswellasonhumanactivitiesandtheirimpactsontheBalticSea3complementingandcompatiblewiththeongoingnational,regionalandEuropeandatamanagementprocesses,tosupportthenationaldatafunctions,andtakingintoaccounttheneedtomakeavailableandutilizablethedatathathavebeencompiledduringvariousassessmentprocesses;7(K).
WEAGREE,inparticular,tostriveforactiveandregionallyharmonizeddatacollectiononmarinespeciesandhabitats,theirdistribution,abundanceandtrends,aswellasthequalityofhabitatsandbiotopeswiththeviewthatthedatawillbemadeavailableintheregionaldatapool;8(K).
WEACKNOWLEDGEtheincreasinglyevidentconflictbetweenthenewandemergingeconomicusesofthesea(e.
g.
foroffshorewindfarms,cables,pipelines,seabedmining)andthelegacyofsubmergedhazardousobjectsintheBalticSea;9(K).
WERECOGNIZEtheneedforforward-lookingoptionsforsolutionsandanassessmentoftheenvironmentalrisksposedbyallkindsofsubmergedhazardousobjectscontainingharmfulsubstanceswhichmayaffecttheenvironmentandallactivitiesintheBalticSea,includingwrecksfilledwithoilandotherhazardouscargo,sea-dumpedmunitionsandwarfarematerials;10(K).
WEWELCOMEthe2013reportoftheHELCOMAdHocExpertGroupToUpdateAndReviewTheExistingInformationOnDumpedChemicalMunitionsInTheBalticSea(HELCOMMUNI)whichhasprovidedsignificantnewinformationandinsightbutalsoreconfirmedthatmostofHELCOM'srecommendationsandadviceondumpedchemicalmunitionsarestillvalid.
Whensignificantnewfindingswillbemadeavailablebye.
g.
CHEMSEA,preparationofupdatedreportwillbedecided;11(K).
WEREQUESTtheContractingPartiestofurtherstrengthenco-operationwithICESinrespondingtothescientificneedsarisingfromtheimplementationoftheBSAPandrelevantglobal,Europeanandnationalrequirements,includingintegrationofenvironmentalandfisheriessurveys,3Thesesystemsinclude:theenvironmentalinformationneededfortheproposedcoresetofindicators,HELCOMAISsystem,annuallycollectedshippingaccidentdata,theHELCOMPOLREP,MSPrelatedGeographicInformationSystem(GIS)datasets,informationonair-andwaterbornepollutionloads,etc.
2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage18of19andasthefirststepforthepurposesofco-operationtowardsautomatizeddataaggregationandfurtherenhancedqualityassurancefortheassessments;12(K).
WELCOMINGthefruitfulcooperationbetweenBONUSandHELCOM,WEENCOURAGEsimilarlygoodcollaborationinthefuture;13(K).
WEAGREEtorevivetheco-operationwiththeEuropeanEnvironmentAgencyformutualbenefitsandtocontributetoEuropeanwideassessmentsofmarineandcoastalwaters;MaritimeSpatialPlanningapplyingtheEcosystemapproach1(MSP).
NOTINGthattheBalticSeacountriesareentitledtoestablishalegalregimeforMaritimeSpatialPlanningthroughouttheirInternalWaters,TerritorialSeaandExclusiveEconomicZones;WEAGREEtoputnationalframeworksforcoherentMaritimeSpatialPlanning(MSP)inplaceby2017reflectingHELCOM-VASABMSPprinciples,includingtheecosystemapproach,takingintoaccounttherelevantEUpolicyinstrumentsfortheBalticSeacountriesbeingEUMemberStates;2(MSP).
FURTHERAGREEINGthattheultimategoalistodrawupandapplymaritimespatialplansthroughouttheBalticSearegionby2020,whicharecoherentacrossthebordersandapplyingtheecosystemapproach,WEDECIDEtocontinuetheworktowardsreachingcommonunderstandingandadoptingguidelinesonecosystemapproach,transboundaryconsultationandco-operationaswellaspublicparticipationintheMSPframeworkaccordingtotheRegionalBalticMSPRoadmap2013-2020;3(MSP).
WEWELCOMEtheprogressmadewithinthejointHELCOM-VASABMSPWorkingGroupsince2010andSUPPORTthecontinuationoftheHELCOMco-operationwithVASABandtheroleofthejointMSPWorkingGrouptoutilizethefullpotentialoftheEUStrategyfortheBalticSeaRegionandtoservetransboundaryandcross-sectorialco-operationandconsultation;4(MSP).
WEENCOURAGEthedevelopmentofeffectiveandefficientexchangeofexperienceandknowledgefromallrelevantdisciplinestakingintoaccounttheresultsfromMaritimeSpatialPlanningpracticesandprojects;BenefitsofprotectingtheBalticSea(sectiononfinancing)1(F).
WEAPPRECIATEtheresultsoftheBalticSternnetworkresearchthatoverallbenefitsofimplementingtheBSAPclearlyexceeditscosts,whilethecostsofinactionwillbesignificant,andthattheBSAPisaneconomicallysoundplantosolvetheeutrophicationproblem;2(F).
WEAGREEtomakeeffortstomobilizeresourcesfortheBSAPimplementationonnationalandregionallevelbyreflectingorprioritizingtheBSAPtargetsinthecountryspecificandco-operationprogrammes,includingfortheupcomingEUprogrammingperiod2014-2020;3(F).
WEWELCOMEthegrowinginterestoftheprivatesectortoprovidefinancingfortheimplementationoftheBalticSeaActionPlan;4(F).
WEAPPRECIATEandENCOURAGEfurtherco-operationwiththeNorthernDimensionEnvironmentalPartnershipcontributingtoreachingHELCOM'stargetsoftheBalticSeaActionPlanandtheEuropeanUnionStrategyfortheBalticSeaRegionthroughcosteffectiveinvestmentprojectsinthemunicipalinfrastructuresectorbycombiningIFI'slendingwithNDEPgrants;5(F).
WEINVITEtheNorthernDimensionPartnershiponTransportandLogisticstolikewiseco-operatewithHELCOMtosupporttheenvironmentallyfriendlyandsafemaritimeactivitiesintheBaltic;6(F).
WERECOGNIZEtheimportantroleofInternationalFinancialInstitutionstospeeduptheimplementationoftheBSAPcommitmentsandHELCOMRecommendations,andSUPPORTtheirbroaderengagementinprojectsreducingenvironmentalimpactontheBalticSea,bothinHELCOMcountriesaswellasnon-ContractingPartiessuchasBelarusandUkraine,includingremediationoftheremainingJCPHotSpots;2013HELCOMCopenhagenMinisterialDeclarationPage19of197(F).
WEAGREEtoidentifyandprioritizeby2016theremaininginvestmentneedsforfurtherreductionofnutrients,withtheaimtobridgethegapintranslatingHELCOMnutrientreductiontargetsintoareaorsitespecificimplementationandthusstrengthenlocalcontributionstowardsregionalgoals;8(F).
WEAGREEtoinitiateorintensifytheworktoattributeeconomicvaluetomarineandcoastalecosystemservicesandtheircontributiontosocietal,culturalandecologicalwell-being,incooperationwithinitiativessuchastheEconomicsofEcosystemsandBiodiversityforNationalandInternationalPolicyMakers(TEEB),withaviewtostartingmorecomprehensivelyembracinganecosystemaccountingapproach;9(F).
WEAGREE,toagreaterextent,toincorporatetheemergingenvironmentaleconomicsknowledgeaswellassocio-economicanalysisintheworkofHELCOM,withthepurposeofensuringanddemonstratingcost-effectivenessofnewmeasurestoprotectthemarineenvironment.