BSPC_MaritimeRapporteursReportFinal2018

Report by the Rapporteurs of theBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference(BSPC) on developments inIntegrated Maritime PolicyReport 2017/2018Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceBSPCReport by the Rapporteurs of theBaltic Sea ParliamentaryConference (BSPC) ondevelopments inIntegrated Maritime PolicyReport 2017/2018Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceBSPC2The BSPC Rapporteurs onIntegrated Maritime Policy© Schwerin, 2018T ext: Jochen Schulte and Jürgen PetterssonEditing: Bodo Bahr, Georg Strätker andCarmen HohlfeldLayout: produktionsbüro TINUSPhotos: BSPC SecretariatBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceBodo BahrSecretary General+49 171 5512557bodo.bahr@bspcmail.netwww.bspc.netBSPC SecretariatSchlossgartenallee 1519061 SchwerinGermanyThe Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference(BSPC) was established in 1991 as a forum forpolitical dialogue between parliamentariansfrom the Baltic Sea Region. BSPC aims at rais-ing awareness and opinion on issues of currentpolitical interest and relevance for the BalticSea Region. It promotes and drives various in-itiatives and efforts to support a sustainableenvironmental, social and economic develop-ment of the Baltic Sea Region. It strives at en-hancing the visibility of the Baltic Sea Regionand its issues in a wider European context.BSPC gathers parliamentarians from 11national parliaments, 11 regional parliamentsand 5 parliamentary organisations around theBaltic Sea. The BSPC thus constitutes aunique parliamentary bridge between all theEU- and non-EU countries of the Baltic SeaRegion.BSPC external interfaces include parlia-mentary, governmental, sub-regional and oth-er organizations in the Baltic Sea Region andthe Northern Dimension area, among themCBSS, HELCOM, the Northern DimensionPartnership in Health and Social Well-Being(NDPHS), the Baltic Sea Labour Forum(BSLF), the Baltic Sea States Sub-regional Co-operation (BSSSC) and the Baltic Develop-ment Forum.BSPC shall initiate and guide political ac-tivities in the region; support and strengthendemocratic institutions in the participatingstates; improve dialogue between govern-ments, parliaments and civil society; strength-en the common identity of the Baltic Sea Re-gion by means of close co-operation betweennational and regional parliaments on the basisof equality; and initiate and guide political ac-tivities in the Baltic Sea Region, endowingthem with additional democratic legitimacyand parliamentary authority.The political recommendations of the an-nual Parliamentary Conferences are expressedin a Conference Resolution adopted by con-sensus by the Conference. The adopted Reso-lution shall be submitted to the governmentsof the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and theEU, and disseminated to other relevant na-tional, regional and local stakeholders in theBaltic Sea Region and its neighbourhood.3ContentsPreface ........................................................................................ 7A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs andother Important Events ............................................................ 81. Activities of Jörgen Pettersson and Jochen Schulte ...................... 82. Eighth Strategy Forum of the European Union Strategyfor the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) ..................................... 193. 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference,Hamburg 2017 ................................................................... 194. Political Bureau of the Baltic Sea Commission of theConference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR)met in Patras ....................................................................... 215. Meeting of BSPC authorities with CBSSrepresentatives in Stockholm ................................................. 226. The EU Maritime Spatial Planning goes global ..................... 227. Ferry Shipping Conference Norway....................................... 238. European Maritime Day 2018, 31 May &1 June, Burgas, Bulgaria ...................................................... 239. World Maritime Day Parallel Event 2018 ............................ 2410. The 9th Annual Forum of the EUSBSR heldin T allinn on 4–5 June 2018 ............................................... 254 ContentsB – Legislative Developments at the EU levelwith regard to all BSPC members .......................................... 26I. Blue Growth and overarching aspects ................................. 261. EU delivers on blue economy commitments madeat Our Ocean Conference ..................................................... 262. Fisheries in Europe: where we are and where we are headed ... 273. New scientific report shows positive economic trendsfor EU fishing fleet .............................................................. 274. EU leads the way to sustainable fisheries ............................... 285. Perspectives of the new European Maritime andFisheries Fund (EMFF) 2021-2027 ..................................... 296. European Sea Funding: 14.5 million Eurofor “Blue Economy“ projects .................................................. 337. Commission surveys fishing economy andsociety about catching quotas in 2019 ................................... 348. Annual Report on the EU Blue Economy .............................. 349. EU-Budget: Fisheries and Maritime Economywill receive continued support .............................................. 3610. Fighting trash on the sea: new rules forport reception facilities ......................................................... 38II. Energy aspects with regard to maritime policy ................. 381. Further critics on Nordstream 2 in theEuropean Parliament ........................................................... 382. Kick Off event on the project “Low Carbon Logistics” ............ 393. Topics on Nord Stream 2 ...................................................... 395 ContentsIII. Infrastructural aspectswith regard to maritime policy ....................................... 411. Better use of the structural funds for common projectsin the Baltic Sea region ........................................................ 412. A recovering industry and a valuable sourceof healthy food – European Commission callson regions to embrace aquaculture ........................................ 413. EU supports cross-border projects in the South Baltic region ... 42IV . Environmental aspects with regard tomaritime policy including climate protection ................. 431. Consultation on the handling of micro plasticin the marine environment ................................................... 432. Consultation on the monitoring of carbon dioxidefrom sea traffic ..................................................................... 433. Carbon Dioxide Reduction: Council positionsitself to share the burden through 2020 ................................. 444. EU engages in Protection of the World’s Oceans .................... 445. HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Brussels ........................... 456. New proposal tackles marine litter and “ghost fishing” ........... 466 PrefacePrefaceThis report summarizes the developments in the Integrated Mari-time Policy (IMP) field since the renewed appointment of MPJochen Schulte (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) and of MP JörgenPettersson (Åland Islands) as BSPC Maritime Rapporteurs by theStanding Committee at the conference in Hamburg, Germany. Itreflects the great significance, which the Baltic Sea ParliamentaryConference attaches to maritime policy issues and to the commonsea-related challenges and opportunities of our time, mainly ad-dressing EU legislative developments in the field and selectively re-ferring to important maritime events the BSPC Maritime Rappor-teurs have attended.A number of important conferences have taken place throughoutthe past year, such as the European Maritime Day in Burgas and theMaritime Day in Mariehamn. For further information on the con-ferences, please refer to the first part (Section A) of the report.In the second part (Section B), legislative developments at the EUlevel with regard to Blue Growth and overarching aspects are pre -sented. Section B also gives an overview on aspects of energy, in -frastructural and environmental politics with regard to maritimepolicy.Jochen Schulte Jörgen Pettersson7 PrefaceFor us as Baltic Sea Region Parliamentarians, it is of utmost impor-tance to continue observing and formulating a core theme for ourcommon future – the Maritime Policy.21 August 2018Rostock MariehamnJochen Schulte Jörgen PetterssonMaritime Rapporteur Maritime Rapporteur8 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsA – Activities of theMaritime Rapporteurs andother Important Events1. Activities of Jörgen Pettersson and Jochen SchulteAmong the main maritime events, rapporteur Jörgen Petterssonparticipated in the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on5-6 March 2018, the Baltic Sea Day in St. Petersburg on 22 March2018, and the Åland Maritime Day in Mariehamn on 24 May2018. Rapporteur Jochen Schulte presented the BSPC position atthe first meeting of the Maritime Cluster “Maritime Safety and Se-curity” in Rostock on 29th of January 2018.There are two major areas, which in different ways will be shapingmaritime policies in the Baltic Sea and will define shipping for theyears to come: sustainability and digitalization. Regarding the mod-al shift after the Sulphur Directive of 2015, there are no clear signsin any direction.The following aspects should be mentioned:Sulphur DirectiveThere are clear and confirmed positive effects of environmental reg-ulations - e.g. of the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) regu-lations - on air quality and human health with a special focus on ur-ban areas. This would also increase the possibilities for collaborationin the area of clean shipping around the Baltic Sea.A workshop within the framework of the Baltic Sea Day was part ofthe ”Environmental Impact of Low Emission Shipping: Measure-ments and Modelling Strategies (EnviSuM)” project.Its main purpose is to learn how the SECA regulations have affect-ed ship emissions, and what will happen when the global restric-tions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on sul-phur enter into force in 2020. An important aim of the project is toprovide information for politicians and to facilitate fact-based deci-sions. One such fact is, for example, that in contrast to expectations,the modal shift away from shipping has not yet taken place in reac-tion to the SECA regulation.9 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsFurthermore, environmental and economic analysis should be ingood balance. The SECA-regulation has led to great improvementson human health in the Baltic Sea region (BSR). In the future, therewill be a greater use of alternative fuels and more technological de-velopments to follow. In some cases, the technology already exists,but the difficulties are found more in energy production and cost is-sues. The regulation is unfolding impacts, but it will be adapted. Itis the opinion of some stakeholders, the economic impacts will re-duce the competitiveness of shipping.In terms of compliance with the SECA regulations and the Nitro-gen Emission Control Area (NECA) rules, it was noted that before-hand, the SECA regulations had been considered more costly thanthey finally were. The NECA regulations could be even less costly,but the costs and benefits of implementation are unevenly distrib-uted. Those, for instance, who are equipped with new technologieswill benefit, while others will lose.The NECA rules can be implemented quite easily, if appropriate de-vices are installed on board. Equipment, maintenance, and othernecessities (urea) will be costly.Profits that can be obtained are less related to the NECA regula-tions. Options for compliance are to switch to another fuel, or to acompletely different type of fuel, for example liquefied natural gas(LNG), which is a realistic option only for newly built ships.LNG is compliant fuel regarding the SECA and NECA regulations,but there are problems considering the climate; such as methaneslip. LNG is said to be a bridge fuel on the way towards biofuels,namely biomethane. Yet new fuels do not always guarantee onlypositive impacts. New problems can arise, like new kinds of emis-sions or side effects, which can be more difficult to be solved thanthe original problem.The economic factors related to greenhouse gases have to be takeninto consideration when dealing with new fuels like LNG.There is no clear picture of the effects of compliance. For example, thecargo shipping companies’ business is not profitable due to compli-ance. In addition to the impacts of the regulations, the natural envi-ronment is having an impact on competition, e.g. ships operating inice conditions where more engine power is needed, are more expen-sive to operate compared to those operating in warm water.10 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsMaritime Spatial PlanningMost of the countries in the BSR have adopted legislation on mari-time spatial planning (MSP) and launched elaborations of legallybinding national maritime spatial plans.Methodological documents on MSP that will form the basis for na-tional legal frameworks in MSP are being developed by many coun-tries. The Baltic Sea Days in St. Petersburg have become an interna-tional platform for regular exchange of views and latest achieve-ments of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). The state policy of the coun-tries in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use ofthe Baltic Sea area is also often taken into account.Furthermore, the active role of the Helsinki Convention (HEL-COM) and Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (VASAB),both international organizations, in strengthening the cooperationof the BSR countries deserves overarching support, as to improveenvironmental health and assure sustainable joint use of the BalticSea. MSP is a tool for balancing human activities and the ecologicalstate of the marine area, which is possible only with a common vi-sion of long-term perspective in the Baltic Sea Region and joint po-litical commitment.Autonomous shipsChange is driven by digitalization and a will to achieve better usageof vessels:• About half of the bulk and general cargo vessels operating inthe Baltic Sea spend at least 40 % of their time in ports;• Ships in Baltic Sea spend 40 % of time in port and sail 40 %of time empty;• Improving turnaround and filling rate would reduceemissions 20-30 % and freight costs 25-35 % per ton;• Old-fashioned routines from early 20th century force ships torush to port only to wait and waste fuel, causing unnecessarycosts and emissions;• Information flow by use of current technology reduces costsand emissions and requires further improvement.11 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsRevolutionizing Short-Sea Shipping:1. Dynamic production and logistics planning2. Technological innovations in warehousing, shipping andloading systems3. Alliance-based shipbuilding and –operating4. New Public-Private Partnership (PPP) financing modelsOur vision for the Baltic Sea is to create the highest-performing,environmentally friendliest short sea logistics system in the world.Legal challenges in order to change the manning on board ships:Excerpt from Article 94 (Duties of the flag State)3. Every State shall take such measures for ships flying the state’sflag, as this is necessary to ensure safety at sea with regard, in-ter alia, to: (b) the manning of ships, labour conditions andthe training of crews, taking into account the applicable in-ternational instruments4. Such measures shall include those necessary to ensure eachship is in the charge of a master and officers who possess ap-propriate qualifications, in particular in seamanship, naviga-tion, communications and marine engineering, and that thecrew is appropriate in qualification and numbers for the type,size, machinery and equipment of the ship5. In taking the measures called for in paragraphs 3 and 4, eachState is required to conform to generally accepted interna-tional regulations, procedures, and practices, as well as to takeany steps which may be necessary to secure their observance.Gender Equality according to ECSA and ETFThe European T ransport Workers Federation (ETF) and the EuropeanCommunity Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) have discussed possiblesolutions to increase women’s participation in the shipping industry inEurope. Currently only 2 % of the seafaring workforce available for theEU fleet consist of women, whilst gender equality is being put at the heartof the EU’s fundamental values for sustainable and inclusive growth.12 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsDiscussions focused on maritime training and career developmentfor women, as well as the recruitment and retention of women inthe shipping industry, need expansion. Alongside representatives ofboth the ETF and the ECSA, participants came from a wide rangeof stakeholders, such as• the European Commission (Platform for Change),• the European Economic and Social Council,• the UK Merchant Navy T raining Board,• national administrations from France and the UK,researchers from the Paris Descartes University, and the• Community of European Railway and InfrastructureCompanies (CER), who provided insights into goodpractices from other sectors.“If we want strong, prosperous and socially sustainable maritimeclusters in Europe, gender diversity should be a leading principle asa means to attract and retain new talent in the shipping industry,”said Martin Dorsman, Secretary General of the ECSA. “Womenrole models in senior positions can help to send a message across theindustry that women do have a place in this traditionally male-dom-inated sector,” he concluded.“To attract more women to the industry, we should improve theworking conditions for everyone,” said Tonka Cupic, ETF MaritimeT ransport representative to the ETF Women’s Committee. “Recon-ciliation of work and family life and prevention of harassment are keyto not only recruiting but also retaining more female seafarers and en-abling them to develop a career in shipping,” she added.The meeting has proven that social partners are willing to work to-gether on this important issue and have taken a first step towardsfinding concrete proposals for joint action.Maritime Cyber SecurityWhat is reality and what is hype? Where should we focus? What arethe realistic cyber threats in the maritime sector? Who is behind thethreats, and what are they trying to accomplish? What is specialabout the maritime sector versus cyber risks in other industries?What can be done short-term versus long-term?13 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsCyber security remains at a low level in the maritime industry andawareness is increasing among information technology staff. How-ever, steps should be taken regarding senior management, as attacksare still occuring. Patch and update procedures are slow on the land-side and extremely haphazard on the seaside. State-of-the-art fire-wall and anti-virus software is ineffective in keeping out dedicatedattacks. Social engineering tactics work very well. When we talk tothe information technology departments, they often give the im-pression they do not see the necessary support and understanding ofthe issue from senior management.Threat actors – what is the purpose?• Terrorism/Hacktivists Key actors: self-proclaimed “groups”or state-sponsored groups• Denial-of-asset / destruction of asset• Publicity / cause “spectacular” damage such as loss of life,environmental spills etc.• No purpose Key actors: staff• Malware overload due to negligence• Disruptions due to incompetenceA few sobering pieces of statistics:• 50 % of incidents caused by incorrect configuration of thenetworks• 23 % of people open phishing mails• 50 % of people reuse passwords across work and privateapplications• 99 % of breaches come from known vulnerabilities14 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines oncyber security -Awareness consists of six main conditions:• Identify threats• dentify vulnerabilities• Assess risk exposure• Develop protection and detection measures• Establish contingency plans• Respond to cyber security incidentsHELCOM AGREEMENT REACHED ON NEXT STEPSFOR A HEALTHY BALTIC SEAWith three years remaining to reach the original deadline for ahealthy Baltic Sea in 2021, the Ministers of the Environment andHigh-Level Representatives of the nine Baltic coastal countries andthe European Union, meeting on the 6th of March 2018 in Brussels,Belgium, have agreed on new commitments for the Baltic marineenvironment. The ocean-related UN Sustainable DevelopmentGoals form a framework for the commitments.After intensive discussions, the Baltic Sea community decided on re-newed efforts for a healthy marine environment. Convening at theHELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, the responsible Minis-ters, the EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella, and other high-level rep-resentatives reached an agreement that includes an update of the Bal-tic Sea Action Plan, intensified efforts to reach the goals of the exist-ing Plan, and a regional strategy for nutrient recycling.UPDATED ROADMAP TO A RESTORED MARINEENVIRONMENTThe Ministerial Meeting on 6 March 2018 agreed to update the Bal-tic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) – the concrete roadmap for restoring theecological balance of the Baltic Sea – by 2021. The updated BSAPwill include new measures to achieve the existing goals: a Baltic Seaunaffected by eutrophication, a Baltic Sea with life undisturbed byhazardous substances, maritime activities carried out in an15 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Eventsenvironmentally friendly way, and favourable conservation status ofthe Baltic Sea biodiversity.Recognizing that some actions agreed upon in the original BSAP areyet to be completed, the Meeting also decided on renewed efforts tofulfil the existing BSAP by 2021. Particular focus will be put on ad -dressing those pressures that the State of the Baltic Sea report identifiedas most widely-distributed and harmful, including excess nutrients,contamination, underwater noise, invasive alien species, excessive ex -traction of fish, and physical disturbance of the seabed. Among otherthings, the Meeting decided to elaborate regional and national actionsto limit the impacts of underwater noise on sensitive marine species.In a significant move towards curbing eutrophication, the partici-pants of the meeting committed to developing a Baltic-wide nutri-ent recycling strategy by 2020, aiming for reduced nutrient inputsto the Baltic Sea and for more efficient use of nutrients. The region-al policy will support countries in creating a sustainable and envi-ronmentally safe scheme for recycling nutrients in agriculture andfrom sewage sludge.“HELCOM is a true example of successful regional ocean govern-ance,” states Mr Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for theEnvironment. “The Baltic Sea Region is leading the way with ma-rine protected areas now covering more than 12 % of the Sea. It hasbeen designated as Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Emissions Control Area.But we need to step up efforts to address other challenges such aseutrophication, marine litter and underwater noise. The declarationadopted under EU Presidency by the HELCOM Ministers con-firms the commitment by its members to work together to achievea healthy Baltic Sea.”HELCOM TO COORDINATE THE WORKA common thread to the decisions made at the Meeting were theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United NationsAgenda 2030. The countries around the Baltic Sea have previouslyagreed to use HELCOM as the regional arena for coordinatingwork on those SDGs that relate to marine and water issues.The Meeting agreed that the SDGs will be used as a frameworkwhen updating the BSAP . The participants of the meeting alsohiglighted the cooperation within HELCOM as a good examplethat has much to give to other regional seas in the world.16 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsThe outcome of the meeting – the Ministerial Declaration – formsthe concrete framework for the following years’ work for a healthierBaltic Sea. The work will take place within the long tradition of re-gional HELCOM cooperation, based on best available expertise,and involving all countries, the EU and various sector ministrieswithin countries.Baltic Sea Day 2018 and Research Activities concerning thedigitalization of regional seaports and Clean ShippingThe Baltic Sea Day 2018 was held on 22–23 March 2018 in St. Pe-tersburg, where ways to ensure compliance monitoring with regardto IMO-targets as of 2020 were discussed: One possibility consistsof remote testing via satellites or drones which involve very expen-sive technology, another involves onboard techniques. Complianceregarding NOx is more difficult to measure than compliance withsulphur emission targets since the IMO took the decision to banhigh-sulphur fuels. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems onboard which introduce urea to reduce NOx can be turned off quick-ly to save costs, so compliance monitoring regarding NOx remainsan important issue.Also research activites conducted at Tallinn University and Hoch -schule Wismar , University of Applied Sciences should be men-tioned: Technology, Business and Design. The workshop “Digitali-sation as a Driver for the Implementation of the Regional Innova-tion Policy of the European Union” during the 11th Business Infor-matics Days (WIWITA) on 7 June 2018 in Wismar presented on-going research projects concerning regional seaports and their movetowards digitalization in connection with smart growth of smalland medium-size ports and the economic impact of clean shipping.Regarding the research project on digitalization which is in the appli-cation process for Interreg South Baltic, it was emphasized that theConnecting Europe Facility (CEF) provides EUR 24 billion for coreand comprehensive ports. Many smaller ports - 66 % of all Baltic sea-ports are small and medium-sized ports (SMPs) - do not form part ofthe nine corridors of the T rans-European T ransport Networks(TEN-T). They are suffering from low freight volumes, lacking intel-ligent specialization and investment capital, out-dated infrastructureand the absence of new business models. For them, it is more difficultto integrate into global supply chains and to participate in the appli-cation of digital, data-based technologies like block chain or the inter-net of things which are also playing a role with regard to optimizing17 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Eventsenergy consumption, economic performance, resource and wastemanagement. This needs to be seen in the context of an expected in-crease of freight volume in Europe by 216 % in parallel to a 174 %rise of green house gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.In the Southern Baltic Sea the above-mentioned technologies arerather not widespread, coherent and integrated across borders.SECA regulations so far have resulted in high investment costs.The research project is supposed to be continued in September2018 and will focus on a digital auditing tool on the quality andsustainability of transport services as well as on an internet of thingsand block chain strategy design next to a big data strategy.Research questions for dissertation proposals are, how small portscan contribute to blue growth and how a digital strategy for smallports could be designed.Through a BSR wide survey carried out between May 2016 andMay 2017 in context of the EnviSuM ( Environmental impact oflow emission Shipping measurements and Modelling strategies)project sponsored by the EU (BSR Interreg Programme), a studycarried out by Eunice O. Olaniyi analyses the sulphur regulations’economic impacts on the BSR maritime sector. Furthermore,through a case study, it investigates the impact of the global sulphurand SECA regulations on the business model of a maritime fuelproducing company - Viru Keemia, Grupp (VKG). VKG is strate-gic to Estonian economy, especially in the Eastern part. The re-search project aims at the integration of new knowledge that willimprove clean shipping outcomes in the EU. Results were presentedon the impact of SECA regulations on costs, foreign direct invest-ment, prices, cargo flow and modal split. The impact on these vari-ables is negligible.Significant positive SECA impacts were attributed to innovationand the reputation of BSR. Sulphur emissions regulations have alsolead to substantial health benefits as well.The results show that, while the regulations seem not to have nega-tively affected the maritime stakeholders, there are still a few whoare negatively impacted.In addition, data was provided on country-specific views on the im-pact of the SECA regulations: Denmark’s view is for example morepositive than that of Estonia.18 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsPorts view the modal split more negatively than ship owners.There is pressure on fuel producers, e.g. shale oil producers, becauseshale oil, which is used for marine bunker fuel, consists of a 0.8 %w/w share of sulphur, which is above the EU’s and global 2020 limits.The Clean Shipping agenda is supposed to create green maritimetransportation and it targets changed and new attitudes of all mari-time stakeholders towards shipping activities. While from January2015, sulphur emissions from ships cannot be more than 0.1 %, thenon-SECA is currently regulated at 3.5 %, which will be lowered to0.5 % from 2020 onwards.Shipping is the largest single source of emissions on both land and wa -ter. Ships are major producers of not only Sulphur Oxides (SOx) andNitrogen Oxides (NOx), but also of pollutants like Carbon Dioxide(CO2), Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), Volatile Organic Com -pounds (VOC) and Particulate Matters (PA). The Environmental im -pact of Low Emission Shipping: Measurements and Modelling Strate -gies Project (EnviSuM) addresses measurement and modelling strate -gies to assess present and future costs and the health and environmen -tal effects of ship emissions in view of the IMO emission regulations.The project aims at enhancing clean shipping, securing a level playingfield for the maritime actors and at connecting different maritimestakeholders of the region in cross sectoral collaboration and events.Another research project, also part of EnviSuM, by Sina Atari focus-es on a SECA economic investment decision tool for the evaluationof abatement projects, especially by taking into account uncertaintyand high volatility in oil markets.So far, the SECA regulation contributed to lower the emissionsfrom shipping, but a closer look at the situation in BSR reveals thatcurrently, the abatement strategies for SECA compliance are notcompleted in the maritime industry. Consequently, new businessmodels for the BSR’s shipping sector are required in order to main-tain the competitiveness of maritime transportation. The researchproject describes a series of developmental steps of investment eval-uation tools based on experience and research on capital budgetingin the shipping industry for compliance with the SECA regulationin the Baltic Sea region. Results showed that special training is nec-essary to maintain scrubbers, and there is optimism regarding LNG,although infrastructure is lacking so far in many countries. Invest-ment costs can be reduced by providing ships with scrubbers duringoperation. Some enterprises are very innovative in this respect, e.g.firms from Finland.19 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important EventsIn accordance with the project schedule, the final version of theweb-based tool will be online and available for the public until Jan-uary 2019 under the URL: http://envisum.ttu.ee2. Eighth Strategy Forum of the European UnionStrategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR)On 13-14 June 2017, the German Federal Foreign Office in partner-ship with the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions (CP-MR)-Baltic Sea Commission and in close cooperation with the Euro-pean Commission organized and hosted the 8th Annual Forum ofthe European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR)in Berlin. In attendance, there were around 800 participants fromgovernments, international organisations, NGOs, universities, localand regional administrations and businesses, who assembled to dis-cuss a broad range of issues pertinent to the Baltic Sea Region andits future.The motto of this year’s forum was “connectivity,” which highlight-ed the necessity to expand and deepen the contacts throughout theBaltic Sea Region as well as neighboring regions. This particulartheme not only raises awareness for differing perspectives, but alsocreates an atmosphere of respect and understanding. This is impor-tant because cooperation in the form of mutually beneficial projectshas the potential to generate positive, long-term effects and enhanceconfidence in politically turbulent times. Moreover, connectivitydirectly relates to efficient and comprehensive collaboration amongall levels of government, from local to international. Whether it bethrough communication, cultural exchange, energy, research activi-ties or transport - connectivity is key for modern, network-based,and outward-looking business.3. 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, Hamburg2017The participants from the Baltic Sea Regions assembled in Ham-burg, Germany on 3–5 September 2017 to discuss many crucialmaritime subjects. This included the appointment of an educatedindependent group of people to elaborate a report with recommen-dations for a vision for the Baltic Sea Region beyond 2020, welcom-ing the adoption of the CBSS (Council of Baltic Sea States) ActionPlan - “Realizing the Vision. The Baltic 2030 Action Plan” as well asthe decision by the CBSS to continue the operation of the Council’sProject Support Facility for 2017-2019, and the promotion of20 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Eventspublic-private practical interaction. The BSPC would also like tocommit more to strengthening the involvement of youth in all are-as of society, including, but not limited to, government, science, ed-ucation and culture, and would like to do so by establishing a BalticSea Youth Forum, after a first successful Forum in 2017 had beenorganized by the parliament of Schleswig-Holstein.Concerns which were discussed included:• the growing number of terrorist attacks that have occurredsince the last BSPC in Riga, namely in Stockholm, St.Petersburg and Berlin,• the issues of migration and integration which pose atremendous challenge to all countries in the Baltic SeaRegion, and of course• reactions to climate change and its impact on maritimeindustries and society.The BSPC would therefore like to support the delivery of new com-prehensive knowledge on true long-term effects of various humanenvironmental pressures on all organizational levels, as well as pro-vide a scientific foundation for innovative cross-border policy mak-ing and research to mitigate these effects.Furthermore, the BSPC will work towards the vision that the BalticSea Region will become the first eco-region in the world, conceivingthe Baltic Sea Region as the first region where ecology and economywork together in a balanced and integrated manner to sustain soci-eties and culture. They will ensure that the consequences of tourismare sustainable by adopting models and methods to save and protectnature and orient work along the principle that sustainability is theguiding principle and standard practice in all types of tourism in theBaltic Sea region. And lastly, the BSPC will further examine the useof carbon footprints to improve the comparability and attractive-ness of tourism products and their ecological and economical im-pacts, as well as improve the transparency of tourism products as totheir quality in terms of sustainability, e.g. by using common labelsand standards.21 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Events4. Political Bureau of the Baltic Sea Commission of theConference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR)met in PatrasThe Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions is also a BSPCpartner organisation. At the CPMR Political Bureau in March 2018in Patras, the Member Regions adopted the CPMR vision for apost-2020 EU budget. The CPMR called for a post-2020 FinancialRegime reflecting the ambition of the EU and its priorities, whileproviding Regional Authorities sufficient flexibility to realise theambition of the European Union on the ground. The Estonian Mu-nicipality reform came into action in January 2018 and abolishedthe regional administrations. Instead, the country of Estonia will berepresented in the Baltic Sea Commission (BSC), and politicians atsub-national level selected by the association of Estonian Cities willbe the representatives. Swedish County Councils have merged intoregions over the last 10 years, taking over responsibilities from thenational regional authorities and enlarging the mandate of the BSCmembers. In Finland, negotiations are taking place on regional re-form that will also change the mandate of the regions, and the re-gional politicians be directly elected in future.In June 2017, CPMR adopted the position “TEN-T core networkcorridors: amendments proposed under the review of the CEF .“ Thisintegrates the proposals of the BSC T ransport Working Group to ex-tend the North Sea Baltic Corridor to northern Finland and theScandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor to northern Sweden, andalong the section Stockholm-Oslo. For 2017-2019, the Baltic SeaCommission is prioritising the need to enhance capacity and oppor-tunities for member regions to increase their knowledge of the Sus-tainable Development Goals (SDGs) and relate them to their region-al development strategies. It is also working on the development ofpan Baltic partnerships for the implementation of the Baltic 2030and SDG’s at the regional level and throughout the Baltic Sea Region.The BSC Task Force on Baltic 2030, led by Region Norrbotten, in-itiated a Stakeholder Conference on 7 March 2018, together withEuroregion Baltic, CBSS and Baltic Sea Future, to discuss the needfor multilevel cooperation in the implementation of SDGs. TheBaltic Sea Commission held its General Assembly on 12 June, host-ed by the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in its federalrepresentation, in Berlin. Over 70 regional representatives gatheredfor the event which took place ahead of the 8th Annual Forum of theEUSBSR. Discussions focused on T ransport and Accessibility, Mar-itime Affairs, Climate, Future of Europe. The General Assemblyadopted the policy position «Connect the Artic with the Baltic».22 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Events5. Meeting of BSPC authorities with CBSSrepresentatives in StockholmOn 20 March 2018 BSPC President Jörgen Pettersson and BSPCSecretary General Bodo Bahr had an insightful conversation withthe Chairman of the Senior Officials of the Council of the BalticSea States, Ambassador Hans Olsson, the Deputy Director of theCBSS Secretariat, Bernd Hemingway and representatives of allunits of the CBSS Secretariat in the premises of the CBSS Secretar-iat in Stockholm about possibilities to intensify the collaborationand to identify common activities.During the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Baltic SeaParliamentary Conference in Brussels, Ambassador Olsson made aseries of concrete offers to deepen mutual cooperation and under-lined that CBSS sees a great foundation for the development of thedialogue and collaboration between the CBSS and the BSPC.With regard to “Baltic 2030” CBSS had invited the BSPC to par-ticipate in “ReGeneration 2030” – a joint initiative by the NCMand the CBSS, focusing on youth engagement in the Baltic Agenda2030. The ReGeneration 2030 Summit will take place on 18-20August 2018 in Mariehamn. BSPC President Pettersson informedthat he was in contact with the organisers of ReGeneration 2030,that he would participate in the Summit and that two representa-tives of the Summit would be given the opportunity to present theirmanifesto and the results of their Summit at the 27th BSPC.6. The EU Maritime Spatial Planning goes global160 experts from all over the world have gathered in Brussels on 24-25 May 2018 for the first meeting of the International Forum onMaritime Spatial Planning. They have discussed ongoing projectsboth in the EU and abroad and shared views on the challenges ofplanning public sea space across borders.The global character of the event stems from the recent alliance be-tween the European Commission and the IntergovernmentalOceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) – aninternational organization with a long-standing experience on theissue of maritime spatial planning.The event is the first of a series, as the Forum is scheduled to meettwice a year between now and 2020. The conclusions drawn alongthe process will feed into the drafting of a new set of international23 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Eventsguidelines on cross-border maritime spatial planning, expected for2021. Indeed, the Forum is one of the actions mentioned in the2017 Joint Roadmap to accelerate Marine/Maritime Spatial Planningprocesses worldwide, in which the European Commission andIOC-UNESCO commit to a number of key initiatives in favour ofgood ocean governance.Maritime Spatial Planning is the rational organization of sea andcoastal areas so as to cater for the different – and sometimes com-peting – needs of various economic activities (such as fisheries, aq-uaculture, transport, energy, and so on) and to make sure they arecarried out safely and sustainably. It needs to be negotiated acrosssectors and across borders.The next Forum session will take place in autumn 2018 and willalso be devoted to dialogue and exchanges between planners fromdifferent parts of the world.7. Ferry Shipping Conference NorwayThe annual Ferry Shipping Conference took place in Oslo, Norway,on 18-20 April 2018. Organized since 2003, it grows ever morepopular with well over 400 delegates from 40-50 ferry companiesfrom all over the world attending each year. To meet and discuss incombination with having a memorable and enjoyable time togetherwith friends and colleagues in the industry is what the Shippax Fer-ry Conference is all about, while being onboard a ferry ensures a fa-miliar and close connection between all delegates. Many see it as theannual family meeting for the ferry industry, and we agree. The con-ference is organized by the well renowned ferry publishinghouse Shippax and is held over two days onboard a ferry with pro-fessional speakers and experts, captivating debates and best possiblenetworking and exhibitions.8. European Maritime Day 2018, 31 May & 1 June,Burgas, BulgariaFor the 11th European Maritime Day (EMD), Mayor of BurgasDimitar Nikolov, together with the European Commissioner Kar-menu Vella of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries wel-comed 800 participants from the maritime sector across the BlackSea and the EU. Present at the conference over one and a half dayswere 130 speakers, 18 stakeholder workshops, 3 DG MARE infosessions, as well as 28 exhibitors. In addition to those events, 15424 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Eventsbusiness-to-business (B2B) meetings were facilitated by the Europe-an Enterprise Network. Ministers and representatives from Bulgar-ia, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, T urkey and Ukraine reaf-firmed their commitment to working more closely with the en-dorsement of the Declaration towards a Common Maritime Agen-da for the Black Sea. Romania’s State Secretary, Maria MagdalenaGrigore noted that: “the Black Sea will be a place of stability, secu-rity and prosperity for all our people.” This vison was reinforced bythe Ambassador of T urkey to Bulgaria, Hasan Ulosoy: “the BlackSea is a sea of friendship and cooperation.” Emphasising the EU’ssupporting role in facilitating cross-Black Sea dialogue, Commis-sioner Vella noted the significant opportunity of transforming thefuture “from a sea of differences to a sea of opportunities.“ A plena-ry debate also took place on what was termed ‘Big Bang Black Sea’with leaders from the European Union, national governments, in-ternational organizations and NGOs to discuss challenges and op-portunities for sustainable blue growth in the Black Sea.9. World Maritime Day Parallel Event 2018This event took place on 13-15 June 2018 in Szczecin, Poland. TheMinistry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of Polandorganized the event in cooperation with the International MaritimeOrganization (IMO). The theme of this year‘s celebrations is IMO70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future. Main sub-jects, which were receiving attention, included green smart shiping,new transport routes, cyber security in shipping, and the labor mar-ket of maritime industries.The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization,Kitack Lim commented, “We are grateful to Poland for hosting thisyear‘s World Maritime Day Parallel Event, which provides an excel-lent opportunity to take the World Maritime Day theme „on theroad“. The event will help to amplify the message among those closeto the shipping industry, and to reach a wider audience. Our chal-lenge for the years to come remains to work in collaboration withall stakeholders to create better shipping, for a better future. I amsure that this year‘s World Maritime Day Parallel Event will con-tribute to this goal and be as successful and enjoyable as its prede-cessors.”25 A – Activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and other Important Events10. The 9th Annual Forum of the EUSBSR held in Tallinnon 4–5 June 2018The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia together with the BalticDevelopment Forum in close cooperation with the European Com-mission, Ministry of Environment and other partners, hosted theForum. About 800 participants from governments, internationalorganisations, NGOs, universities, local and regional administra-tions, media and businesses came together to discuss developmentsand challenges in the Baltic Sea Region.The 9th Annual Forum was co-financed by the European Union In-terreg Baltic Sea Region Programme.The main theme of the 9th Annual Forum was the “Baltic Sea Re-gion after 2020”. The Forum discussed how to improve the imple-mentation of the EUSBSR in the framework of the future EU Co-hesion Policy. It discussed also the current state of the ecosystem inthe Baltic Sea as well as how to advance the BSR as a global digitalhub.26 B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersB – Legislative Developments atthe EU level with regard to allBSPC membersI. Blue Growth and overarching aspects1. EU delivers on blue economy commitments made atOur Ocean ConferenceIn a rapid follow-up to the EU-hosted 2017 “Our Ocean”-confer-ence, and in the run-up to the COP23 Ocean Day in Bonn (11 No-vember 2017), the European Commission launched a new EUR14.5 million investment initiative to further promote sustainableblue growth across the EU.Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and FisheriesKarmenu Vella said: „At the Our Ocean conference in Malta, the Eu-ropean Union led by putting the blue economy on the agenda for thefirst time. Now we are leading in the follow up. Today we launch aEUR 14.5 million investment initiative for green projects to safeguardour marine ecosystems. On ocean energy, tackling marine litter, andalong Mediterranean coastlines, I am delighted that we are so quicklyfollowing up on our Our Ocean pledges.“Funded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, EUR 8million from this initiative are set aside to help small and mediumsized enterprises SMEs, including start-ups, testing novel productsand services in high-potential emerging blue economy sectors, in-cluding ocean renewable energy . In order to better tackle the grow-ing challenge of marine litter , a further EUR 2 million will targetinnovative technologies to prevent, monitor, remove and recyclemarine litter from EU waters. Furthermore, EUR 3 million willsupport twinning projects in the Mediterranean Sea, including be-tween maritime training and education institutions, blue economybusinesses and local fishing communities . Finally, EUR 1.5 millionis allocated to restoring marine and coastal ecosystems in the Medi -terranean , including mitigation of climate change.The “Our Ocean” conference (5-6 October 2017 in Malta) generat-ed an unprecedented level of commitments: 437 were announced,including EUR 7.2 billion in financial pledges. The EU alone27 B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersannounced 36 commitments amounted to over EUR 550 million.Moreover, the EU–hosted conference saw for the first time large-scale mobilisation of the private sector in ocean conservation.2. Fisheries in Europe: where we are and where we areheadedOn Tuesday, 26 September 2017, in a Seminar on the Status of Eu-ropean Fish Stocks and the Economic situation of European fishingfleets, the European Commission has been hearing the views of sen-ior experts in fisheries biology from the Directorate General forMaritime Affairs and Fisheries, the International Council for theExploration of the Sea, the Scientific, Technical and EconomicCommittee for Fisheries, NGOs, the industry, national administra-tions and members of the public.Presentations covered the state of the fish stocks in the Mediterra-nean Sea, the Black Sea, the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea,the economic performance of the EU fishing fleet, as well as a com-parison between the EU and the US fisheries management systems.Director General Joao Aguiar Machado opened the meeting. MrKarmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Mari-time Affairs and Fisheries delivered the closing speech. The sessionswere chaired by Mrs Hélène Clark, Director for Fisheries Policy At-lantic, North Sea, Baltic and Outermost Regions.3. New scientific report shows positive economic trendsfor EU fishing fleetAccording to the latest (2017) Annual Economic Report, the over-all economic performance of the EU fishing fleet improved again in2015, and estimates for 2016 and 2017 point towards further prof-itability gains.While still marginally profitable in 2009, the EU fleet registeredrecord-high net profits of EUR 798 million in 2015. The reportalso demonstrates that economic performance stagnates wherefleets depend on stocks which are still overfished or overexploited.More and more fleets that exploit stocks sustainably see clear im-provements in their profitability and salaries. In 2015, the EUfleet’s gross value added, i.e. the contribution of the fishing sectorto the economy through wages and gross profit, amounted toEUR 3.9 billion. This represents a 16 % increase compared to28 B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC members2013. Average salaries in the EU fleet have also increased while av-erage fuel consumption has decreased. Fuel use efficiency has im-proved, with fuel costs amounting to 15 % of the total revenue in2015, compared to 24 % in 2008. This is largely because fleetstend to operate more efficiently. Karmenu Vella, Commissionerfor environment, maritime affairs and fisheries, said: “It is encour-aging to see that the positive trend of the last years has resulted inhigher salaries for fishermen, bigger profits for the fishing sector andmore value added for the EU’s fishing and coastal communities. Thisclearly shows that our joint commitment towards more sustainablefishing pays off. But more efforts are needed to allow also small scalecoastal fleets, in particular in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, tofully benefit from this positive trend. Continued progress towardsMaximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) in all sea basins will therefore bea precondition for achieving economic viability.”The 2017 Annual Economic Report on the EU Fishing Fleet isbased on data provided by national authorities and the result ofcombined work by economic experts from the Scientific, Technicaland Economic Committee of Fisheries and the Commission.4. EU leads the way to sustainable fisheriesThe oceans and their fish stocks are a shared responsibility for all.For years, the European Union has been leading international ef-forts to promote fisheries that are sustainable for both fish and fish-ermen, for the environment and for the economy. And the resultsare showing in both EU waters and throughout the world.News, By Joao Aguiar Machado, Director General of DG Fisheries andMaritime Affairs:“Only a decade ago, the dire state of stocks of bluefin tuna generat-ed widespread concern. But thanks to sustained efforts by the fish-ing industry since 2007, scientists now register steady progress. Infact, the Atlantic bluefin tuna stock is approaching a historic high.The last time the stock was at this level, there were no rules in place.In some years, catches would reach as much as 60,000 tons, eventu-ally leading to its collapse.The recovery of bluefin tuna is a conservation success story, with in-dustry, science and governments working hand in hand. Whenstocks were low we compelled fishermen to follow strict scientificadvice. It is a legitimate expectation that they can now follow theadvice when it allows for an increase.29 B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersThis week‘s annual meeting of the International Commission forthe Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Marrakesh agreedon an increase of the total allowed catches (TAC) for bluefin tuna.Reaching a maximum of 36,000 tons by 2020 is fully in line withscientific advice and more cautious than the agreed CFP objectives.And thanks to a precautionary approach defended by the EU, theincrease will be phased in only gradually.Given our objective of promoting sustainable fisheries, it goes with-out saying that the European Commission would not suddenly al-low a riskier approach. In fact, this year’s decision is probably moresolid than ever before, thanks to improved scientific methods.Finally, I regret that the EU‘s proposal to move towards a morelong-term management plan, was not adopted, but postponed tonext year‘s ICCAT meeting. We will continue our efforts for sus-tainable fisheries. There is lots of work ahead for us all.”5. Perspectives of the new European Maritime andFisheries Fund (EMFF) 2021-2027The EMFF is the Union fund that will support the objectives of theCommon Fisheries Policy (CFP), the growth of a sustainable blueeconomy and the European Union‘s international commitments inthe field of ocean governance.As in the current period it will continue supporting the environ-mental, economic, social and employment objectives of the CFP toensure that fishing and aquaculture activities are sustainable in thelong term and contribute to the availability of food supplies. It willfocus on the conservation of the marine biological resources and ongrowth and jobs in coastal communities across the European Un-ion.The EMFF is part of the Union multiannual financial frameworkfor the 2021-2027 programming period with a total budget of EUR6.14 billion. The EMFF will support the implementation of theCFP and of the Union‘s maritime policy along four priorities:1. Fostering sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marinebiological resources2. Contributing to food security in the Union through compet-itive and sustainable aquaculture and markets30 B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC members3. Enabling the growth of a sustainable blue economy and fos-tering prosperous coastal communities4. Strengthening international ocean governance and enablingsafe, secure, clean and sustainably managed seas and oceans.In addition, the EMFF will support voluntary contributions to in-ternational organisations and technical assistance. As under the 2014-2020 period, the EMFF will support innovative investments fromprivate stakeholders in the whole value chain of the fisheries sectorand in aquaculture. It will also support projects that foster the growthof a sustainable blue economy and Member States‘ action in the mar-itime sector, such as fisheries control, the collection and processing ofscientific data, and maritime security.The maximum EMFF contribution to the projects implemented byMember States will be 75 % of the public expenditure in most cases,going up to 85 % in some cases. That support will be shared withother public contributors. The maximum public contribution will bebetween 50 % and 100 %, depending on the features of the project.Fisheries are vital to the livelihood and cultural heritage of manycommunities in the Union, in particular where small-scale coastalfishing plays an important role. The EMFF will continue to sup -port investments to increase the environmental sustainability, eco -nomic competitiveness and social welfare of the sector to contrib -ute to the objectives of the CFP . In particular, it will aim to achieveand maintain sustainable fishing based on Maximum SustainableYield (MSY) and to minimise the negative impacts of fishing activ -ities on the marine ecosystem. That support will include innova -tion and investments in low-impact fishing practices and tech -niques and investments on board fishing vessels in order to im -prove health, safety and working conditions, energy efficiency andthe quality of catches.The landing obligation is one of the main challenges of the CFP . Ithas implied significant changes in fishing practices for the sector,sometimes with an important financial cost. The EMFF will there-fore support innovation and investments that contribute to the im-plementation of the landing obligation, like investments in selectivefishing gears, in the improvement of port infrastructures and in themarketing of unwanted catches. Given the challenges to achieve asustainable exploitation of marine biological resources in line withthe conservation objectives of the CFP , the EMFF will continue tosupport the management and adaptation of fisheries and fishingfleets. Such support should be tightly targeted to the conservation31 B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersand sustainable exploitation of marine biological resources andaimed at achieving a balance between the fishing capacity and theavailable fishing opportunities.Small-scale coastal fishing is carried out by fishing vessels below 12metres and not using towed fishing gears. This sector representsnearly 75 % of all fishing vessels registered in the European Unionand nearly half of all employment in the fishery sector. The EMFFwill give small-scale coastal fishing improved preferential treatmentcompared to the 2014-2020 period through a higher interventionrate. In addition, certain types of support will be reserved for theirvessels. Furthermore, Member States will be asked to develop an ac-tion plan for small-scale coastal fishing setting out a strategy for thesustainable development of the sector.Fisheries and aquaculture contribute to food security and nutrition.However, the European Union currently imports more than 60 %of its supply of fishery products and is therefore highly dependenton third countries. An important challenge is to encourage the con-sumption of fish protein produced in the Union with high qualitystandards and available for consumers at affordable prices.In this context, aquaculture has a role to play. The EMFF will there-fore continue to support the promotion and the sustainable devel-opment of this sector, including freshwater aquaculture. Such sup-port will include productive investments, compensatory measureswhich provide critical land and nature management services, andactions for animal health and welfare.Food security also relies on efficient and well-organised markets,which improve the transparency, stability, quality and diversity of thesupply chain, as well as consumer information. To this end, theEMFF will continue to support the marketing of fishery and aquacul-ture products, especially the promotion of new market outlets andthe development and dissemination of market intelligence. Targetedsupport will also be available for the processing industry, under strictconditions justified by the good economic situation of that sector.As the European Union‘s maritime fund, the EMFF will be ambi-tious in supporting the development of a sustainable blue economy.The output of the global ocean economy is estimated at EUR 1.3trillion today[1] and could more than double by 2030. Public sup-port is needed to foster private investment in new maritime mar-kets, technologies and services. The blue economy relies on partner-ships between local stakeholders that contribute to the vitality ofcoastal and inland communities and economies. The EMFF will32B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersprovide tools to foster such partnerships through community-ledlocal development (CLLD). Their scope will be extended comparedto the 2014-2020 period.The EMFF will also focus on creating the enabling conditions for asustainable blue economy by promoting an integrated governanceand management of maritime policy, enhancing the transfer anduptake of research, innovation and technology, improving maritimeskills, ocean literacy and sharing of socio-economic data, promotinga low-emission and climate resilient sustainable blue economy, anddeveloping project pipelines and innovative financing instruments.60 % of the oceans are beyond the borders of national jurisdiction.As a global actor, the European Union is strongly committed topromoting international ocean governance. This new policy will befully supported by the EMFF . It is not only core to achieving theUnited Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, inparticular Sustainable Development Goal 14 (‚Conserve and sus-tainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainabledevelopment‘), but also to guaranteeing safe, secure, clean and sus-tainably managed seas and oceans for future generations.The EMFF will support those international commitments for bet-ter international ocean governance at bilateral, regional and multi-lateral levels, including to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unre-ported and unregulated fishing, to improve the international oceangovernance framework, to reduce pressures on oceans and seas, tocreate the conditions for a sustainable blue economy and to strength-en international ocean research and data.Improved border protection and maritime surveillance provide anessential contribution to the European Union’s security and de-fence. The EU maritime security strategy based on informationsharing and cooperation between the European Fisheries ControlAgency, the European Maritime Safety Agency and the EuropeanBorder and Coast Guard Agency is key to delivering on those objec-tives. The EMFF will contribute to this policy by supporting mari-time surveillance and coastguard cooperation.The Commission‘s proposal aims to simplify the delivery of the EMFFcompared to the complex architecture of the current period, and givegreater flexibility to Member States to use the EMFF in a way thatbest meets their needs. Measures or eligibility rules will no longer bepre-defined at EU level. Instead of selecting measures from a menu ofeligible actions as is currently the case, national programmes will focuson the strategic priorities chosen by each Member State.33B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersThis architecture will make it easier for beneficiaries to access EMFFsupport and allow them to focus on achieving results, without los-ing time and energy in burdensome administrative procedures.The Commission proposes that Member States are granted greaterflexibility in defining eligibility rules, depending on their nationalstrategy for implementing the EMFF . However, as during the 2014-2020 period, the Commission‘s proposal does contain a list of op-erations that cannot be funded so as to avoid detrimental impactson fish stocks and marine ecosystems. This includes, for example, ageneral ban of investments enhancing fishing capacity.Moreover, investments and compensation for the fishing fleet (per-manent cessation of fishing activities, extraordinary cessation offishing activities, acquisition of a vessel, engine replacement) will bestrictly conditional upon their consistency with the conservationobjectives of the CFP . This is key to ensuring that financial supportis used to achieve the CFP objectives and does not jeopardise theconservation of marine biological resources.6. European Sea Funding: 14.5 million Euro for “BlueEconomy“ projectsIn an informational meeting for the European See and Fishery Fund(EMFF) on 9 November 2017, the commission introduced a propos-al for funding of over 14.5 million Euro for projects related to sus-tainable blue economy. The commission made a corresponding an-nouncement at the “Our Oceans“ conference in October in Malta.The sources are divided among four areas:1. Showpiece Projects: Support on the way to the market fornew technologies and/or maritime services (EUR 8 million)2. Strategies and technologies against spreading waste in the sea(EUR 2 million)3. Blue networks in the Mediterranean region for employment,innovation, and entrepeneurship (EUR 3 million)4. Communal measures for a sustainable blue economy in theMediterranean region (EUR 1.5 million)These calls for proposals were running from 8-28 February 2018.34B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC members7. Commission surveys fishing economy and societyabout catching quotas in 2019On 11 June 2018 the EU Commission has made an announcementon its decision regarding a survey of the implementation of com-munal fishing policy within the EU and the start of a consultationprocess in regard to fishing opportunities in 2019. In the frame-work of a public consultation, the commission surveyed the mem-ber states, the fishing economy, non-governmental organizations,and interested citizens. The problem of overfishing in the northernand western waters has already significantly decreased, however asustainable form of fishery in the Mediterranean and Black seas re-mains a challenge.Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for environment andmaritime affairs as well as fishery said, “The restoration of the healthof our seas and oceans is not an option, rather a necessity, and theEU must continue to be a role model in this field. The commenda-ble efforts of our fishers in the last ten years are beginning to count:many of our fish stocks, although far from all of them, are achievingonce again a sustainable level.2019 will be a decisive year for thecompletion of our communal goals. We are working hand in hand– fishers, industry, civil society, and authorities – in order to pursuethese efforts and hold our ambitions for our oceans high. I am ex-cited for close cooperation with all of the parties.“In the last years, significant steps have been taken to reduce the ex-ploitation of fishery resources, in particularly in the northern andwestern waters (where overfishing has significantly decreased). Dur-ing this process, the biomasses have risen and were in 2016 on aver-age almost 39 percent over the standards of 2003.In contrast to this, the development toward a sustainable use of theMediterranean and Black seas remains a challenge. In the last years,the EU commercial fleet has dramatically improved is overall eco-nomic performance, with a record profit of 1.3 billion Euro in 2016.8. Annual Report on the EU Blue EconomyOn 27 June 2018 the EU Commission’s first report on the BlueEconomy of the European Union was published.The EU’s Blue Economy – all economic activities related to oceans,seas and coastal areas – is growing steadily, according to the EU’s firstannual report on the blue economy. With a turnover of EUR 56635B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersbillion, the sector generates EUR 174 billion of value added and cre-ates jobs for nearly 3.5 million people. The EU’s blue economy isconsistently growing over the last decade and the potential for the fu-ture is promising. With investments in innovation and through re-sponsible ocean management, integrating environmental, economicand social aspects, the sector could according to EU Commissionerfor Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, bedoubled in a sustainable way by 2030.The blue economy represents all economic activities related to ouroceans, seas or coastal areas. It covers established sectors such asfisheries, shipbuilding and tourism as well as emerging industries,including ocean energy and biotechnology. In several EU memberstates, the blue economy has grown faster than the national econo-my in the last decade. During the financial crisis, the blue economyproved more resilient in those member states, softening the effectsof the downturn on coastal economies.The report presents the current status and recent trends in the sixestablished blue economy sectors in different EU Member States, togain insight into where new opportunities and sustainable compet-itive advantage may be found.The UK, Spain, Italy, France and Greece have Europe’s biggest blueeconomies. Spain accounts for one fifth of total employment, fol-lowed by Italy, the United Kingdom and Greece. Combined, thesefour member states account for more than half of the total blueeconomy-related jobs.Among the different sectors, that of the ‘living resources’ (i.e. fisher-ies, aquaculture and processing) has grown by 22 % between 2009-2016. Increased sustainability, thanks to the EU common fisheriespolicy, plays an important role in this positive development. Alsothe emerging sectors are booming. The biotechnology sector marksdouble-digit growth in member states such as Ireland, and employ-ment in the offshore wind industry has jumped from 23.7 thousandin 2009 to 160 thousand in 2016, outnumbering employment ofthe EU fishing sector.Key facts regarding the EU’s blue economy consist of a turnover ofEUR 566 billion, gross value added of EUR 174.2 billion, grossprofit of EUR 95.1 billion and 3.48 million employees, which rep-resent 1.6 % of EU’s total employment. The net investment in theEU’s blue economy amounts to EUR 22.2 billion. The blue econo-my represents 1.3 % of total EU GDP (2016).36B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersBy tracking the development of the blue economy subsectors, andexamining the drivers behind, the Annual Report on the EU BlueEconomy can help identify investment opportunities and providedirection for future policies, including ocean governance. The re-port is the latest in a series already covering the EU fishing fleet, theEU aquaculture sector and the EU fish processing sector.9. EU-Budget: Fisheries and Maritime Economy willreceive continued supportThe proposed long-term EU budget combines new instrumentswith modernised programmes to deliver efficiently on the EuropeanUnion’s priorities and to rise to new challenges.The EU Commission will continue to support the European fisheriessector on its way towards sustainable fishing methods. Therefore, ithas proposed for the next long-term EU budget that enters into forceon 1 January 2021 to install a new fund amounting to EUR 6,14 bil-lion Euro for EU fisheries and maritime economy. In order to ensurethe fund’s efficiency and effectivity, it contains several new character-istics, especially a simplification and wider choice for the EU memberstates‚ which can now direct support more target-oriented towardstheir strategic priorities, as well as a better alignment with other EUfunds in order to better support the Common Fisheries Policy.The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will co-finance proj-ects alongside national funding streams, with each Member Statereceiving a share of the total budget. Member States draw up theirnational operational programmes, specifying how they intend tospend the money. Once approved by the Commission, national au-thorities decide which projects they wish to support.EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries,Karmenu Vella, sees healthy, well-managed oceans as a pre-conditionfor long-term investments and job creation in fisheries and the broad-er blue economy. He supports the view of the EU as a global oceanactor, and, being the world’s fifth largest producer of seafood, empha-sizes the EU’s strong responsibility to protect, conserve and sustain-ably use the oceans and their resources. The Fund will allow MemberStates and the Commission to live up to that responsibility and investinto sustainable fisheries, food security, a thriving maritime economy,and healthy and productive seas and oceans.The new fund exhibits a particular focus on supporting small-scalefishermen. It will also help unleash the growth potential of a37B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC memberssustainable blue economy towards a more prosperous future forcoastal communities. For the first time, it will contribute tostrengthening international ocean governance for safer, cleaner,more secure, and sustainably managed seas and oceans. Finally, theCommission is reinforcing the environmental impact of the Fundwith a focus on protecting marine ecosystems and an expected con-tribution of 30 % of its budget to climate change mitigation andadaptation, in line with the commitments agreed under the ParisAgreement.Fisheries are vital to the livelihood and cultural heritage of manycoastal communities in the EU. Together with aquaculture, theyalso contribute to food security and nutrition. A particular focus ofthe fund will be to support small-scale coastal fishermen, with ves-sels below 12 metres, which represent half of European employ-ment in the fishing sector. Since the reform of the Common Fish-eries Policy in 2014, progress has been made in bringing fish stocksback to healthy levels, in increasing the profitability of the EU’sfishing industry, and in conserving marine ecosystems. The newFund will continue to support these socio-economic and environ-mental objectives.As regards the maritime economy, the Commission proposes tostrengthen its support compared to the 2014-2020 period. This is ahigh-potential economic sector whose worldwide output is estimat-ed at EUR 1.3 trillion today and could more than double by 2030.The maritime fund will enable investment in new maritime mar-kets, technologies and services such as ocean energy and marine bi-otechnology. Coastal communities will receive more and broadersupport to set up local partnerships and technology transfers in allblue economy sectors, including aquaculture and coastal tourism.In the context of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment, the Union has also committed at international levelto make seas and oceans safer, more secure, cleaner and more sus-tainably managed. The new European Maritime and Fisheries Fundwill support these commitments for better international ocean gov-ernance. It will, among others, also provide the necessary fundingto improve maritime surveillance, security and coastguard coopera-tion.A swift agreement on the overall long-term EU budget and its sec-toral proposals is essential to ensure that EU funds start deliveringresults on the ground as soon as possible. Delays similar to the onesexperienced at the beginning of the current 2014-2020 budgetaryperiod would mean that the needs of fishermen, coastal38B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC memberscommunities and the protection of the marine environment theydepend on will not be addressed with the required urgency.An agreement on the next long-term budget in 2019 would providefor a seamless transition between the current long-term budget(2014-2020) and the new one, and would ensure predictability andcontinuity of funding to the benefit of all.10. Fighting trash on the sea: new rules for port receptionfacilitiesOn 16 January 2018, the Commission proposed new rules on portreception facilities. The aim is to combat marine litter from sourcesat sea and to ensure that waste generated on ships or collected at seais not disposed of in the sea but properly disposed of ashore. It alsoincludes measures to reduce the administrative burden on ports,ships and authorities. The proposal is part of the European strategyfor dealing with plastic waste.II. Energy aspects with regard tomaritime policy1. Further critics on Nordstream 2 in the EuropeanParliamentOn 14 October 2017, there was a debate in the European Parlia-ment on the natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2. As in precedingdebates, all speakers were against the project. It seems to be in con-tradiction with the goal of diversifying the supplying countries. Be-cause of shrinking demand in the medium term and because of ge-opolitical reasons it weakens transit countries. The parliamentarianssupported the plan of the EU Commission to find an agreementwith Russia on the legal framework of the pipeline. They demand-ed the member states of the council (especially Germany) to grant acorresponding mandate. At that time, there was a pending state-ment from the legal service of the council, if the EU got the compe-tence for such an agreement. The commission announced a sugges-tion in the debate to change the regulation of safe gas supply.39B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC members2. Kick Off event on the project “Low Carbon Logistics”Just over a year ago, the Competence Center Rural Mobility (KO-MOB) began to develop a concept for the CO2-free delivery of asmall town with parcels, courier and express mail. It is a projectfunded under the Southern Baltic Interreg program. Now the firstimplementation step has been successfully completed: On March 1,2018, UPS started its packages with an electric cargo bike. At thesame time, the DPD will begin delivery with three parcel carrierswith hand trucks. First, the city of Bad Doberan is supplied (Loca-tion: Bad Doberan, Drümpel parking at the intersection RostockerStr./Bahnhofstraße). An extension to other districts of Bad Dober-an and the connection of other suppliers are sought.3. T opics on Nord Stream 2Internal energy market to be extendedOn November 8, 2017, the Commission proposed extending therules on the internal gas market to gas pipelines that run or comefrom third countries to third countries, up to the border of the EUterritory. Unless expressly stated, this initiative targeted the plannedNord Stream 2 pipeline between Viborg in Russia and Lubmin.The amendment to the existing directive on the internal market innatural gas aimed at ensuring that the main principles of EU ener-gy legislation (third party access, charging, ownership unbundlingand transparency) apply to all gas pipelines. In line with the objec-tives of the EU gas market, competition between gas suppliersshould be increased and energy security in the EU increased. Atransparent regulatory framework should exclude conflicts of inter-est between infrastructure managers and gas suppliers as well as dis-criminatory charges.However, the inclusion only applies to the part of the pipeline thatlies in the EU territory. Since different rules then apply to the two‚ends‘ of a pipeline (as is the case with Nord Stream), the EU Com-mission considers it necessary to conclude an agreement with thethird country, not just to have a clear legal framework but also tothe pipeline (also in the EU area ) to operate at all. Therefore, theCommission has proposed to the Member States a mandate forsuch negotiations with Russia on Nord Stream 2.Member States should have the possibility to exempt existingcross-border lines (such as Nord Stream 1) from the application of40B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersthe Directive, provided this does not adversely affect competition orsecurity.Interregional Working Group in the European Committee of the Re -gions (CoR)On 1 December 2017, the constituent meeting of an interregionalworking group on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline took place on thesidelines of the 126th plenary session of the Committee of the Re-gions (CoR) in Brussels. Set up on the initiative of CoR memberGeblewicz (Marshal West Pomeranian), the group will investigatethe impact of the project, especially on the environment. The 15founding members are mainly from Poland and Lithuania. Memberof Parliament Jochen Schulte participated from the German regionMecklenburg-Vorpommern.Debate in the Energy Committee of the European ParliamentOn 11 January 2018, the European Parliament‘s Committee on In-dustry, Research and Energy discussed the Commission‘s proposalfor an amendment to the Gas Directive, presented in November2017. The rapporteur (Committee Chairman Buzek, Poland) hadalready drafted a draft report on 7 December 2017 in which he sup-ported the Commission proposal to extend the internal marketrules to lines from third countries. The debate showed widespreadsupport for this line. Requests to allow more time for advice andalso to hold a hearing on legal and economic conditions did notfind a majority. The committee was scheduled to vote on the reporton 21 February 2018 and the plenary a week later.41B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersIII. Infrastructural aspects with regard tomaritime policy1. Better use of the structural funds for common projectsin the Baltic Sea regionOn 20 September 2017 the kick off meeting for the project AFM-BSR (Alignment of Funding Models in the Baltic Sea Region) tookplace in Potsdam. The project is financed with the start-up facilityfrom the INTERREG program for the Baltic Sea. In this projectshould be examined how national and regional operational pro-grammes from European structure and investment funds can beused for a more efficient financing of cross border projects. Further-more, the arrangement of a macro-regional platform for smart spe-cialization containing information about potential partners and fi-nancing possibilities should be exanimated. Regions from Swedenand Finland as well as the conference of the peripheral coast regions(CPMR) are involved next to the German regions Mecklen-burg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg.2. A recovering industry and a valuable source ofhealthy food – European Commission calls on regionsto embrace aquacultureAfter more than a decade of stagnation, EU aquaculture is finallyshowing signs of recovery. With 4 % growth in volume and 8 % invalue between 2014 and 2015, and profits exceeding EUR 400 mil-lion, the sector is generating more value than ever before.The success is in part due to strong cooperation over the last yearsbetween the European Commission and national authorities to re-move barriers to growth. As a result, many governments have beentaking steps to cut red tape, which clearly has been paying off.At “FARMED in the EU Regions”, a conference organized by the Eu-ropean Commission and the Committee of the Regions showcasingsome of the success stories of European aquaculture, European Com-missioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, KarmenuVella, stressed the need for even greater buy-in from the EU regions.“Aquaculture can deliver local food and local jobs in an environ-ment-friendly way. The planning, authorisation, and ultimately thesuccess of aquaculture in the EU lie in the hands of our regions and42B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersMember States. We count on you to support investment in thispromising industry“, Commissioner Vella said.With global population expected to reach 10 billion people by2050, Commissioner Vella sees aquaculture as a key pillar of globaland European food security. „We need to plan ahead now to pro-vide more fish, shellfish and algae in a sustainable, responsible way“,Commissioner Vella said. „Of course we must continue our workon sustainable wild fisheries, but if we are to get more seafood, it hasto come from farming. Having many small, well-planned farmingactions at regional scale, and helping consumers to make informed,responsible choices is the key to success.“As a form of concrete support to regions, the Commission unveiledat the Conference a series of new guidelines on the accommodationof aquaculture within the EU environmental rules, as well as infor-mation on planning and business authorisation. These tools, whichdecision-makers in national, regional and local authorities shouldfind very useful, are available in all EU languages.The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund provides 1.2 billioneuro exclusively for aquaculture. This money is there to help farmsinvest, grow, become more innovative and efficient, and also to helpattract more private investment. If investments gather pace and theconditions continue to be supportive of the sector, we could see the25 % growth by 2020 that Member States had aimed for when de-veloping their aquaculture plans in 2014.The European Commission is ready to collaborate with nationaland regional authorities to implement the „FARMED in the EU“communication campaign, helping aquaculture professionals to ex-plain their job to schools across Europe.3. EU supports cross-border projects in the South BalticregionAt his meeting on 24-25 in April 2018 in Bornholm, the monitor-ing committee of the Interreg program „Southern Baltic Sea“ hasdelivered positive comments on a total of ten projects. Partnersfrom the region Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are involved in sevenprojects. The tourism sector deals with offers for active holidays fordisabled people, joint transnational marketing of mansions as wellas innovative parking space management in tourist locations. Otherprojects include the extraction of biogas from waste, small ports asaccess gates for sustainable transport systems and qualification in43B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersmaritime and environmental occupations. Around EUR 11 millionfrom the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is availa-ble for the promotion of projects with participation from the Ger-man region Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The next call opens on 1October 2018.IV. Environmental aspects with regardto maritime policy including climateprotection1. Consultation on the handling of micro plastic in themarine environmentWith a consultation running until the 16th October 2017, the EUCommission wanted to gain more knowledge on the causes of thepollution in the marine environment by micro plastic, as well as col-lect suggestions how to fight the problem.2. Consultation on the monitoring of carbon dioxidefrom sea trafficThe EU Commission started a public consultation on 8 September2017 with which experience with the regulation about the monitor-ing of carbon dioxide issues from sea traffic can be query. The reg-ulation fixes an EU wide system for the coverage of examined dataabout CO2 issues from the sea traffic (EU MRV). The Internation-al Maritime Orgnaization had issued guidelines in July 2017 to re-spective data tests and administration of data bases, so there is nowa legal framework for a global survey system (IMO DCS). There-fore, the EU Commission examines whether the EU MVR regula-tion must be adapted to the IMO DCS. If necessary, it wants tosubmit a legislative proposal in 2018. The consultation should ena-ble the stakeholders to participate in the forming of an opinion.44B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC members3. Carbon Dioxide Reduction: Council positions itself toshare the burden through 2020On 13 October 2017, the council (ministers for the environment)adopted a position on sectors that are not falling under the emissiontrade system (i.e. transport, buildings, agriculture and waste). Ne-gotiations about the council position with the European Parliamenthave started, which itself had adopted its position in June 2017.In the proposal for a regulation on the inclusion of greenhouse gasemissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestryinto the 2030 climate and energy framework mandatory yearlyemission goals for every single member state will be laid down forthe time period of 2021 to 2030 (the current regulations last untilthe end of 2020). In this vein, the EU wants to come closer to itsoverall goal to decrease emissions (by at least 40 % in comparison tothe standards from 1990) by 2030, as well as fulfil its duties to theParis Convention for climate protection. For the sectors not fallingunder the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS),emissions should be reduced by 30 % of the 2005 standards by theyear 2030.The annual emission reduction goals for individual member statesrange, dependent on the GDP per capita, from 0 to 40 percent.Every member state has to keep a path toward reduction. The start-ing point for the evaluation of the reduction path is the year 2020,and the calculations follow the average emissions from 2016 to2018. The current flexibility possibilities will be maintained. Addi-tionally, less wealthy member states will receive money from a safe-ty reserve, which will be available in 2032 under strict conditions.4. EU engages in Protection of the World’s OceansOn the occassion of the “Our Ocean“ conference from 6-7 October2017 in Malta, the commission announced that the EU will allo-cate over EUR 550 million to assist with measures towards the re-sponsible management of the world’s oceans. In total, the agreed-up-on means in Malta from both public and private actors from 112countries amount to over EUR 6 billion. According to the ParisClimate Convention and the SDGs in context of the 2030 agenda,those financial resources should be used to combat ocean pollution,expand nature reserves, and support sustainable fisheries.With the initiative of the EU the safety of the world seas and “blueeconomy“ is being taken care of. Additionally, the EU wants to45B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC membersstrengthen the efforts to fight climate change. The commitments ofthe EU serve the support of worldwide sustainable use of the oceans,whereby the emphasis lies on developing countries. The partici-pants have announced they are arranging new oceanic sanctuarieswith a total area of over 2.5 million square meters. The complete listcontains more than 400 commitments (36 from the EU, over 200from third countries, more than 100 from companies and somemore from NGOs, research institutes, and international organiza-tions) and is available online. The conference “Our Ocean“ takesplace in Indonesia in the end of October 2018.5. HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in BrusselsOn 6 March 2018, the annual Ministerial Meeting of the BalticMarine Environment Protection Commission (Helsinki Commis-sion, HELCOM) took place in Brussels, Belgium.The environment ministers of the countries bordering the BalticSea and EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs andFisheries, Karmenu Vella assessed the environmental status of theBaltic Sea as well as the degree of progress made to restore the goodenvironmental status of the Baltic marine environment by 2021.The results of the meeting were laid down in a common declara-tion, which aims at adapting the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Planbased on new knowledge and challenges and at enhancing efforts toreach the goals of the existing plan next to elaborating a regionalstrategy on the recycling of nutrients. The parties welcomed theprogress made in reducing their nutrient input to the Baltic Seafrom land-based sources and in addressing inputs from ships by des-ignating the Baltic Sea as a special area under MARPOL AnnexesIV and as a NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) under MARPOLAnnex VI. The parties also appreciated the HELCOM commit-ment at the UN Ocean Conference on NECA and to promotegreen shipping technology and use of alternative fuels, includingLNG, and the recent International Maritime Organization (IMO)decision on the date of enforcement of the Baltic Sea as a specialarea under MARPOL Annex IV.46B – Legislative Developments at the EU level with regard to all BSPC members6. New proposal tackles marine litter and “ghostfishing”The European Commission has tabled an important legal proposalto tackle marine litter in the end of May 2018. By introducing newmeasures on single use plastics as well as derelict fishing gear, theproposal will contribute to Europe’s transition towards a CircularEconomy.Fishing gear (nets, lines, pots, traps) accounts for 27 % of allbeach litter. With its proposal, the Commission will encourage allactors involved to get a maximum of derelict gear back to shoreand include it in the waste and recycling streams. In particular,producers of plastic fishing gear will be required to cover the costsof waste collection from port reception facilities and its transportand treatment. They will also cover the costs of awareness-raisingmeasures.This new measure builds on existing rules such as the Marine Strat-egy Framework Directive and complements other actions takenagainst marine pollution, such as under the Port Reception Facili-ties Directive.The proposal will now go to the European Parliament and Councilfor adoption.Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferencewww.bspc.netBSPC SecretariatSchlossgartenallee 1519061 SchwerinGermany