HELCOM members are promoting further regional development of economic and social analyses (ESA) to show the linkages between society and the marine environment, with focus on how the Baltic Sea contributes to human well-being and national economies. These analyses provide tools for examining the economic impacts from the use of marine waters, and the benefits of achieving a healthy marine ecosystem, HELCOM said in its press release.
HELCOM has established an expert network on economic and social analyses, which will enhance regional cooperation on the economic and social aspects of the Baltic Sea marine environment. The expert network serves as a platform for discussion and information exchange on the ongoing and planned work and develops and agrees on regional approaches for the economic and social analyses, according to a HELCOM Roadmap on economic and social analyses. The analyses are needed for the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, as well as Marine Strategy Framework Directive for the EU countries in the region.
Overall, the analyses will contribute to ecosystem-based marine management, marine spatial planning, pollution mitigation, and integration and implementation of various policies.
Results on the economic contribution from marine activities in the Baltic Sea and on the economic damages to citizens from the deterioration of the marine environment will be included in HELCOM’s ‘State of the Baltic Sea’ report, to be published in June 2017.
HELCOM and the BONUS BALTICAPP research project are organizing a joint workshop on marine research and policy in Stockholm 29-30 March, with economic and social analyses of the marine environment as one of the main themes. The workshop will present latest results on the contribution from the use of marine waters to the economy, the losses in citizens’ well-being from the deterioration of the marine environment, and marine ecosystem services, such as recreation. The workshop will discuss challenges, gaps of knowledge and solutions in providing science-based information based for the implementation of marine policies.
HELCOM is one of the Regional Sea Conventions and Action Plans around the world, working for healthy oceans and sustainable us of marine resources. HELCOM consists of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region.