Indicate which actions have been carried out to implement this Resolution :
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Policy influencing/advocacy
Describe the results/achievements of the actions taken:
The implementation of this resolution has not started yet. See problem faced in the next section.
One of the main actions required by this resolution is the establishment of a Working Seascapes Initiative under the auspices of the Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) Fisheries Expert Group. Because of the challenge mentioned in the next section, this new initiative has not established yet.
The above statements are still valid as of Aug 2023.
Activity reports from members for previous years report that:
>>From Coalition Clean Baltic (CBB): In 2020 and continued in 2021, efforts have been made to create concrete proposals for the update of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) as a means to support and facilitate better implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). CCB has engaged heavily in the MSFD refit process: coordinating NGOs views, organised internal and external meetings, mainly with the EU Commission staff. We have participated in targeted consultation sessions and coordinated NGOs responses to the open consultation in November 2021. This work has not only been in the CCB network but covered all the main EU NGOs active on MSFD issues. CCB staff was also an invited speaker at the large stakeholder event "Future of Our Seas" in December 2021.
Implementing ecosystem-based management through BSAP. CCB has continuously urged and invited fisheries managers and stakeholders to environmental fora and topics in BSAC and pushed to include fisheries related issues into MSFD/BSAP meetings and events with the same message that the “spheres” cannot be separated anymore.
Implementing ecosystem-based management through BSAP. CCB has worked continuously to link HELCOMs BSAP/MSFD, to CFP and species protection, such as for eel and harbour porpoise and the underlying organizational challenges. Both on EU and MS level, the understanding of needs to change management is becoming more accepted and that there is a need for new scientific advice to better match ecosystem based management. Draft versions of NGO views of the MSFD article by article are available but not agreed official CCB documents
Participation at EP PECH committee hearing in March. CCB has taken part in all the informal HELCOM FISH meetings and events, and there also adding comments on behalf of BSAC. CCB put a lot of efforts on supporting ambitious threshold levels for the MSFD descriptor on bottom integrity to safeguard 10% of seafloor as untouched.
CCB has continued successfully implementing the goals of improving cooperation between fisheries and environmental managers and have managed to get support for such deepened cooperation also from fishing organization and the BSAC.
>>From MigraMar: MigraMar developed the concept of Migravías, marine seascapes that serve to connect key areas for the life cycle of migratory marine species. Three Migravías have been identified: Mexican Pacific Swimway, Coco-Galapagos Swimway and Coiba-Malpelo Swimway. Supported by research developed by MigraMar members, countries in the region have declared large oceanic MPAs that partially cover these Migravias. Revillagigedo in Mexico, the expansion of Coco and creation of Bicentenario in Costa Rica, the expansion of Coiba Island and creation of Cordillera de Coiba in Panama, the expansion of Malpelo and Yuruparí in Colombia and the creation of Hermandad in Ecuador. The aim is to strengthen the expansion and creation of MPAs through further research to help guide management decisions.
What challenges/obstacles have been encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and how were they overcome :
The lead proponent for this resolution and eventual associated funding was from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). The EDF expert that led the charge for this resolution has left EDF immediately after its adoption. IUCN CEM Fisheries Expert Group (FEG) has recontacted EDF to find out what they intended to do if anything. Unfortunately, no further information on an alternative way is available at this point in time.
A lack of time and resources (staff time) for the Secretariat FP to coordinate / initiate further actions on this resolution is a major challenge as well.
CCB reported that: As the war in Ukraine broke out, all HELCOM operations were officially put on hold due to the fact that Russia is a party to the Convention. Meetings and progress did continue unofficially and some steps forward has been possible but not at all as intended.
Briefly describe what future actions are needed for the implementation of this Resolution:
Recontact the Environmental Defense Fund. Identify actions and possible new supporting organisations/institutions. Establish the Working Seascapes Initiative under CEM FEG if all conditions of feasibility are satistied.
Are these actions planned for yet:
