Gulf of Finland Year 2014 An overview of activities and further visions The Gulf of Finland Maritime Assembly in Turku 6.-7.11.2014 Kai Myrberg Project Manager, Gulf of Finland Year 2014 Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
What is the Gulf of Finland Year? A joint programme between Finland, Russia and Estonia to rapidly improve the state of the gulf. Scientists, decision-makers and citizens work together. The theme year covers scientific co-operation, comprehensive monitoring of the state of the gulf, common environmental education programme, networking through cities and Public Councils. A large number of public events organised. Patrons of the Year are the presidents of the three countries. More info www.gof2014.fi Twitter @GoFY2014 ja #gofy2014 FB www.facebook.com/gof2014 2
International events of the year Some examples Openings (Jan-Feb) Clean beach campaigns May Baltic Sea Days: St. Petersburg, Turku, Tallinn 3
Gulf of Finland Area of Cooperation International Festival, St. Petersburg 19-20.9.2014 The ceremonial meeting of the Public Councils of the three countries in Taurides palace The opening of the exhibition Nearby Sea in the Vodokanal Water Museum Views from the Gulf of Finland A Concert by the Symphony Orchestra of the Marinskii-theatre A reception by City of St.Petersburg for the members of the Public Councils Historical Battle Show in Peter and Paul Fortress Military Music Parade 4
The unknown Gulf of Finland? Facts One of the most heavilytrafficed sea areas in the World 30% of the Baltic Sea river runoff comes through the GoF More than 13 miljon citizens live in the drainage area Large brakisch water basin where is an unique combination of marine and fresh water species Threats Eutrophication/nutrient releases Oil spills Loss of biodiversity The effects of harmful substances Decreasing fish stocks The effects of Climate Change on the GoF ecosystem 5
Realiable research information gives answers to avoid the threats Climate change Fish and fishery Maritime Spatial Planning Pollution and Ecosystem Health Marine traffic safety Bio- and geodiversity
The research during the GoF Year brings new results and forms of cooperation A unique, joint research project of three countries, which enables us to gain co-ordinated research information of the Gulf of Finland Data intercalibration For the first time extensive observational network of this size, which gives us comparable data Combined, three-lateral dataset for 1996-2013 7
Joint 3-lateral data for 1996-2013 Measurement stations Spatially and temporally well-covered data set HELCOM-stations c. 10, here over 50 stations 2014 even 100 stations! 8
Joint 3-lateral data for 1996-2013 For example: eastern GoF phosphorus and nitrogen 3 2 1 0 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016-1 -2-3 PO4P NO3N Log. (PO4) Trend for phosphorus Source: Hydromet, RUS 9
Algae situation in summer 2014 10
Assessment of the Gulf of Finland Gives information about the development of the state during 1996-2013 using the three-lateral data set A. Nutrients, eutrophication, ecosystem health, harmful substances, biodiversity B. Sosio-economical factors, fishery, maritime transport, allien species, marine litter, underwater noise Answers to questions: What is the role of different factors on the state of the GoF? What is the state just now? How to imporve the state? As a result of the work an assessment report on the state will be published (SYKE series). 11
Road Map towards the healthy and safe Gulf of Finland A follow-up from the recommendations from the assessment report: Concrete suggestions for improving the state of the Gulf of Finland Content: How to obtain a good ecological status? Specific problems (internal/external loading, exchange with the Baltic main basin) What is known already, what should be done at once (e.g in relation to BSAP)? What actions can take place later? The monitoring as a part of HELCOM and MSFD work Best practices, cost-effecient monitoring and measures to improve the state Modelling as a tool to estimate trends The structure of the 3-lateral work in the future: assessment, monitoring, research, marine protection 12
Declaration of the Gulf of Finland Gives for the decison-makers concrete goals for improve the state of the Gulf Assessment-work at present Recommendations for future work in the form of a Road Map Structure and main focus Timetable for the preparation 13
Summarize the work and plan further actions The development of the GoF Networks has been done with an excellent spirit It is of vital importance to save this broad network covering scientits, decisionmakers, and citicens with related activities In 2015 there will be organised sum-ups of the present work: - Scientific results - Monitoring co-operation and development - Assessment and Road Map - Co-operation between cities, environmental education, Public Councils Gulf of Finland process continues To ensure the continuation of the present work at all areas of co-operation Permanent expert group 14