Marine measures

Program of measures of the Finnish marine strategy 2016–2021 is drawn up to improve the state of the marine environment and reduce the load on it. The aim is to maintain and achieve a good marine environmental status through the program of measures.

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The programme of measures of marine strategy consists of current measures (started before year 2016) and new measures (started year2016). There are in total 93 current measures and 29 new measures. The current measures are legislative, economic and political instruments. These include laws, international agreements, various programs, strategies and commitments. Some of the current measures have been implemented since 1960s and are updated from time to time to reflect the changing circumstances.

The current measures also include the measures listed in the river basin management plans, which access the loading from on-land and marine sources. The key issue in setting new measures was, if the current measures are sufficient to maintain or reach a good status by 2020. The goal when choosing new measures was, that they will complement the current measures, are cost-effective and significantly support the goals to be reached.

STATE OF THE SEA IS IMPROVED BY

29

NEW MEASURES

3 820 tons/year

PHOSPHORUS LOADING FROM FINLAND INTO THE BALTIC SEA

89 400 tons/year

NITROGEN LOADING FROM FINLAND INTO THE BALTIC SEA

DIOXIN CONCENTRATION OF
HERRING HAS DECREASED
BELOW SAFE LEVELS

GYPSUM TREATMENTS CAN BE USED TO
REDUCE PHOSPHORUS LOADING
BY HALF FROM CERTAIN FIELDS

Progress of the measures

Programme of measures of marine strategy consists of current measures (started before 2016) and new measures (started in 2016). The current measures and progress of new measures can be seen in the table below. Many of the new measures is a complex entity consisting of several smaller projects, settlements etc. Many projects receive part of their funding through governmental funding programmes.

All categories
Measures Progress of the measures Number of measures
Improve the effectiveness of nutrient recycling Implemented 43 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
Develop and fully utilise the environmental compensation system for agriculture Implementation started 3 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
Promote the increased use of fish fodder made from raw materials produced in the Baltic Sea region and the use of cyprinids for human nutrition Implemented 6 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
Improve habitats of sensitive marine species in flowing bodies of water Implemented 9 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
The spreading of gypsum in fields to cut nutrient loading Implemented 10 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
Assessment of the importance of the Baltic Sea’s internal nutrient stores and the possibilities for reducing them Implemented 3 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
As part of HELCOM cooperation, Finland will continue to take part in negotiations that aim at having the International Maritime Organizations designate the Baltic Sea a NOx emissions control area (NECA) Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
Contribute to adoption of LNG as the fuel used by vessels and take responsibility for building the necessary infrastructure Implemented 6 pcs. Read more Reduce eutrophication UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce eutrophication
Assessment of pharmaceuticals in the marine area Implementation started 7 pcs. Read more Reduction of hazardous and harmful substance loading UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of hazardous and harmful substance loading
A review of the amount of and changes in dioxin and furan loading that flows via the Kymijoki river into the Baltic Sea Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduction of fishing stress UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of fishing stress
Assessment of the possibilities and need for improving the effectiveness of restrictions that apply to fishing of coastline species Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduction of fishing stress UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of fishing stress
Conservation of the European grayling Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduction of fishing stress UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of fishing stress
A broad-scoped general survey, setting a target and the measures for reducing littering of the marine environment Implemented 9 pcs. Read more Reduction of pollution and littering UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of pollution and littering
Contribute to decision-making in the International Maritime Organization that will reduce the amount of underwater noise caused by ships Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduction of underwater noise pollution UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of underwater noise pollution
Reduce production of underwater noise pollution Implemented 3 pcs. Read more Reduction of underwater noise pollution UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of underwater noise pollution
Reduce impulsive noise caused by underwater construction work Implemented 3 pcs. Read more Reduction of underwater noise pollution UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of underwater noise pollution
Reduce harmful impacts of dredging Implementation started 2 pcs. Read more Reduce physical damage and loss of seafloor habitats UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce physical damage and loss of seafloor habitats
Draft a national marine sand and aggregate extraction plan Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduce physical damage and loss of seafloor habitats UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduce physical damage and loss of seafloor habitats
Implement measures to improve local flow conditions in coastal areas Did not start 1 pcs. Read more Prevent disturbances caused by hydrographic change UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Prevent disturbances caused by hydrographic change
Reduce the risk of oil spills by improving effectiveness of monitoring STS procedures, i.e. ship-to-ship transfer of oil, in Finland’s territorial waters and by continuing the drafting of a harmonised practice for STS procedures within the framework of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) in the Baltic Sea area Implementation started 2 pcs. Read more Reduction of environmental stress of shipping UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of environmental stress of shipping
Improve vessel traffic safety with the eNavigation strategy’s Intelligent fairways concept – Älyväylä Implementation started 2 pcs. Read more Reduction of environmental stress of shipping UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of environmental stress of shipping
Draft a development programme for preparedness in the prevention of marine environment disasters Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduction of environmental stress of shipping UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of environmental stress of shipping
Draft a national action plan for the assessment of the ecological impacts of chemical spills in the Baltic Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Reduction of environmental stress of shipping UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Reduction of environmental stress of shipping
Include conservation objectives for marine protected areas in maritime spatial plans Implemented 6 pcs. Read more Maritime spatial plans to improve the state of marine environment UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Maritime spatial plans to improve the state of marine environment
Improve conservation in marine protected areas Implemented 3 pcs. Read more Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment
Action plans for threatened species and habitats Implemented 6 pcs. Read more Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment
Conservation of key underwater habitats Implemented 5 pcs. Read more Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment
Draft and realise measures related to the conservation of the Baltic ringed seal Implemented 1 pcs. Read more Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Utilizing nature conservation activities to improve the state of marine environment
Communication related to the objectives and measures for marine resources management Implemented 37 pcs. Read more Communication and guidance UUDET TOIMENPITEET (2016-) Communication and guidance

How the measures are targeted to descriptors of the state of marine environment

The state of marine environment is evaluated by 11 qualitative descriptors, which are biodiversity, non-indigenous species, commercial fish, food webs, eutrophication, seafloor integrity, hydrographic conditions, concentrations and effects of contaminants, contaminants in seafood, marine litter and energy including underwater noise. Most of the measures are targeted at more than one descriptor. The state of biodiversity can for example be improved either directly or indirectly by 23 new measures and 40 current measures.

HOW THE MEASURES ARE TARGETED TO DESCRIPTORS OF THE STATE OF MARINE ENVIRONMENT

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HOW THE CURRENT MEASURES ARE TARGETED TO DESCRIPTORS OF THE STATE OF MARINE

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