Vulnerable sea needs voluntary work to support common vision

Hannu Klemola,
Areal Manager,
Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC),
Finland

Our fragile and beautiful Baltic Sea has degraded dramatically over the past decades. It has special hydrographical and climatic conditions. The sea has been pressured by human activities, eutrophication, overfishing, marine litter, pollution, effects of climate change and decreasing of biodiversity. We have jeopardise ecological balance of the Baltic Sea beyond its biological limits. People living around the Baltic Sea and NGOs have been worried about the future of our common sea. In recent years also new partners have joined the work for marine ecosystem.

Besides The Baltic Sea Programme we need areal programmes, as for example for the Archipelago Sea. Programme should promote a holistic and integrated approach to the conservation and sustainable management of the Sea for the revision of the programme of measures of the marine strategy. We should welcome everybody to share a vision of a healthier, diverse and resilient Baltic Sea. Input of volunteers can vary from expertise to activism in projects, theme days, stearing groups, working groups, nature management labour camps. Gladly we have already learned some good news and achievements from saved species and reduced plastic to better wastewater treatment.

Volunteers, members and employees of Finnish Association for Nature Conservation welcome deeper co-operation and a holistic approach to environmental issues of the Baltic Sea. We are the largest non-governmental organization for environmental protection and nature conservation in Finland. The purpose of our organization is to protect the natural environment, promote nature conservation, preserve cultural heritage and spark up active citizenship and strong environmental awareness. Most of the work in the local associations and district organizations is voluntary work in nature, training, environmental education and publishing. We also put forward motions and initiatives and issue statements on affairs associated with our field. Independence from party politics and interest groups ensures that nature is always our number one priority. The commitment and motivation of our volunteers is realised by participating in field courses, events, seminars, awareness campaigns, collecting litter, summer camps or just taking part to a guided daytrip – having a good time together.

Voluntary work for the Baltic Sea consists of and requires commitment for long time cooperation. It also demands monitoring species, news releases, blogs, vlogs, photogalleries, even film-makers. Local knowledge of marine ecosystem and species also needs to be respected. In addition the work demand paid staff and funding. On a national, regional and European Union level voluntary work must be appresiated. The economic support from diffrent programmes, and foundations is vitally important. Enterprises and private sector are also welcomed to participate in cooperation. There is an increasing need to work both on the field and in politics, combining scientific knowledge and expertise with creative innovation, political determination and cooperation with local communities and stakeholders—such as farmers, fishers, scientists, local industries and markets, and other conservation groups. We need open and longstanding environmental cooperation in and between the each counntry bordering The Baltic Seaof, not to forget press, social media and social networks.  We must work together to identify solutions to restore the Baltic Sea to a healthy state for the benefit of people and nature of the region. By working together it is easier to address the problem by promoting policy reform and more sustainable spatial planning, marine transport, farming, land management practices, fishing and management of biotopes and species. A key solution to the problem of eutrophication lies in addressing land-based measures through policy reform, and the promotion of more sustainable farming and land management practices. We should also indentify marine biodiversity hotspots.

We have to increase co-operation to build up greener agricultural methods based on the eco-system between farmers, universities and other research, governments, regions, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission HELCOM, foundations, Coalition Clean Baltic, other NGO´s to implement methods that keep nutrients and water on land, utilize fertilizers more efficiently, restore habitats, improve soil health and protect watersheds. Agricultural policy reform at EU level is necessary in stopping harmful practices on a large scale. Financial support for the agricultural sector accounts for great deal of the EU budget.

So, what should we do next? The status of the sea is still poor but there are signs of improvement. At first we should find opportunities to continue and deepen dialogue with different stakeholders and support the public and private investment to flow to support. Sustainable bio gas, biocide free boating and blue tourism are good examples. It is important to influence spatial planning and reforms of policies and governance in all and sector-crossed levels. The final aim is to achieve good status of the marine environment by the realisation of sustainable Blue Economy and eco-system based resource management of the Baltic Sea and its marine and coastal resources. Let´s find the spirit to work together for the Baltic Sea and its rich biodiversity.

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