Commission staff working document
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Biodiversity in the Baltic Sea is threatened by overfishing, by-catches and incidental catches of non-target species, invasive alien species, the destruction of habitats by human activities (such as dredging and construction along shores and migratory obstacles in waterways), eutrophication and contaminants. Climate change, thought to reduce the salinity and increase the temperature of the Baltic Sea, is also affecting aquatic biodiversity. Hence, the impact of and vulnerability to climate change is of increasing importance. Emerging pressures such as marine litter and underwater noise also play a role. Fishing has a direct impact on the composition and diversity of fish communities in the Baltic Sea. Overfishing has resulted in the decline of numerous fish species such as salmon, eel and the extinction of the Baltic sturgeon. MSY is not reached for many species. Fishery also affects other non-targeted marine species, such as seabirds and marine mammals through by-catch mortality, and competition for food. Mobile bottom contacting fishing gears affect benthic habitats and species through by-catch, direct mortality and the alteration of the physical structure of the sea floor, re-suspension of nutrients and hazardous substances. To respond to these diverse threats, actions have to be twofold: to minimise the adverse effects of human activities and to establish a network of well-managed ‘Marine Protected Areas’. It is important that those HELCOM Contracting Parties, that are also EU MSs at the same time, carefully fulfil the obligations and implementation needs of the relevant EU legislation. In particular, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, the CFP, the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Birds and Habitats Directives, should be the key tools to ensure that environment protection and preservation aspects are integrated into all relevant priority areas of this Strategy. Efforts should also be given to envisage how environmental aspects could be more taken into account by the Common Fisheries Policy. On an overall level, this priority area aims to give political support to the timely implementation of the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Segment of the HELCOM BSAP. The BONUS Joint Baltic Sea Research and Development Programme20 is a natural ally in the work to protect biodiversity and prevent pollution. Targets and indicators A comprehensive system for the design, the monitoring and the follow-up of indicators and targets will be set up in 2013, under the responsibility of the priority area coordinator. The still missing targets and deadline, baseline, and statistics/information sources related to the below indicators will be defined.
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