Marine Protected Areas in the Eastern Baltic Sea

Project duration: August 2005 - July 2009

Baltic Environmental Forum is implementing the project “Marine Protected Areas in the Eastern Baltic Sea” (Baltic MPAs). The project is supported by the European Commission LIFE programme.

The Baltic Sea is a unique and fragile ecosystem hosting many species and habitats of European interest and of importance for global biodiversity. Especially since EU enlargement on 1 May 2004 the Member States of the European Union share a great common responsibility for the protection of the Baltic Sea and the sustainable use of its resources.

This project will contribute to the overall objective of protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the Eastern Baltic Sea (costal and offshore waters of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). In this context implementing the EU’s Natura 2000 network in marine areas is a key instrument.

International project Baltic MPAs with activities in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia unites scientific institutions, non governmental institutions and experts from these countries who are dealing with issues related to marine management.

Project objectives:

Completing the establishment of Natura 2000 in the marine territories of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (site selection, designation, protection rules and management plans)
Assessing and reducing the impact of fishery by-catch on target bird and mammal species.
Assessing and addressing other threats to marine Natura 2000 sites (e.g. caused by constructions /developments, disturbance of species by economic or recreational activities, pollution)
Increasing public and stakeholder awareness on Natura 2000, marine protected areas and biodiversity in general in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia.
Promoting transboundary networking and capacity building on marine protected areas between the Baltic States, other EU Member States and Russia.

Project activities

Inventories of marine species and habitats according to the Habitats and Birds Directives (birds, mammals, fish, benthos habitats); completion of Natura 2000 data sheets; where necessary: delineation or adjustment of borders of marine SPAs or pSCIs, designation of new sites.
Assessment of the impact of fishery by-catch, construction and dumping activities, disturbance and pollution on target species and habitats.
Preparation of management plans for selected sites and general recommendations for protection and management of marine Natura 2000 sites.
Pilot management activity: testing and promotion of alternative fishing methods and gear in order to reduce by-catch of birds and mammals of Community interest; facilitation of a network of fishermen and nature conservationists.
Activities to raise the capacity of stakeholders to implement Natura 2000 and to increase stakeholders’ and public awareness (workshops, media work, public events);

Expected results

Natura 2000 site designation completed for all marine areas of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Detailed understanding of threats to marine Natura 2000 sites in the Baltic States.
For selected sites: management plans prepared.
Measures introduced to reduce fishery by-catch of target species.
Capacity and awareness of relevant experts, stakeholders and the general public increase on all aspects of marine Natura 2000;
Added value and experience for Natura 2000 implementation in marine areas in the whole EU.

BEF Lithuania is one of the initiators of this project as well as the project partner in the implementation stage being responsible for the coordination of the project activities in Lithuania and leading the project component related to the public awareness activities.

This project will have a close cooperation and both-sides added value contribution with the project “Marine Protected Area System for the Eastern Baltic Sea: Assessment and Implementation”, which has a deeper focus on the systemic conservation measures in the marine environment as well as extended activities in the Russian Federation.

For the full list of project partners, the project location and many more information, please visit the project website: www.balticseaportal.net