Tools to improve state of knowledge on

regional coastal and maritime

environmental pressures

Brussels, June 23 2014

Dania Abdul Malak, ETC-SIA / UMA

“Governments are waking up to the fact that we have just

about reached the limits of what can be squeezed from the

29 % of the planet that is land. Therefore, it becomes clear

that we need to look even more to the sea”.

Maria Damanaki - EU Commissioner for maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Dec. 2011)

Introduction

2

Which sectors? Blue energy,

Aquaculture,

Maritime and coastal tourism,

Marine mineral resources,

Blue biotechnology

Where? EU's seas, oceans and coasts

How far? Policy goals set out in the Strategy to 2020, i.e. to achieve smart, inclusive and

sustainable growth

Socio-economic dev. = Potential threats?

3

4 Source: ETC-SIA 2011

Policy framework for the coast and the sea

Link with existing reports and assessments. Source: EEA/ETCSIA, 2013. Rep. obligations: Spatial gaps,

Reporting maturity

BG

MSFD reporting

Lack of indicators

Environmental - GES

Socio-economic – use of marine waters, costs of env. degradation on marine env.

Lack of comparability

Different indicators and concepts between States and within maritime basins

State of the Seas

5

Implementation of the MSFD highlight:

very significant difficulties in data gathering to define GES of European waters (EC report)

Data transmitted by MS insufficient to adopt correct policy measures (protection)

Explosion of maritime economic potentials - No measures for sustainability? (Potential

threats)

Med-IAMER: Integrated trans-boundary actions to mitigate environmental

risks in the Mediterranean Sea

• Methodological step-forward – integration and accounting of land – Sea

interaction,

• Gap filling and knowledge harmonisation,

• Spatial Information provision on major drivers and pressures and conservation

measures,

• Mapping the condition of existing trans-boundary mechanisms (policy mapping),

• Showing their effects on reducing pressure intensity,

• To be used further to feed the BG decisions;

• Validation approach (stakeholders involvement)

Overview Med- IAMER

6

BUILDS ON PREVIOUS EFFORTS:

-ESaTDOR, MAES developments, PEGASO, -Halpern et al. (2008): A Global Map of Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems -Micheli et al. (2013): Cumulative Human Impacts on Mediterranean and Black Sea Marine Ecosystems

Activities of interest – Med IAMER

Case studies: Western Mediterranean and Adriatic – Ionian ecoregions

Approach: Data review based on the MSFD Descriptors

7

Source: EEA /ETC-SIA 2014

DPSIR approach – Integrated framework

9

Conceptual Approach – DPSIR

Drivers of change: Any natural or human-induced factor that directly or indirectly causes a change in an ecosystem. A direct driver of change unequivocally influences ecosystem processes and can therefore be identified and measured to differing degrees of accuracy; an indirect driver of change operates by altering the level or rate of change of one or more direct drivers (MA, 2005).

Socio-economic activities + CC

Pressures: A variety of factors combine to put pressure on ecosystems and the biodiversity they host, and most of these factors can be traced by human activity.

Effect of drivers

Indicator: Indicators quantify information by aggregating different and multiple data. The resulting information is therefore synthesised.

Observed value representative of a phenomenon to study.

Objectives and outcomes

- Improve the knowledge and spatial information on the intensity and distribution of CMEP, drawing on a baseline understanding on data availability based on MSFD descriptors.

- Provide a methodology for integration of spatial environmental data and indicators to be included in a harmonized data base Land and Sea data

- (pix. Vs. NUTS) (bringing together heterogeneous data meaningfully)

- Map hotspots CMEP : Harmonization Analysis techniques (cumulative pressure assessment, hotspot detection),

- Data interpretation, Data gaps & outlooks (correct reading and future use of data)

- Data Publishing - dissemination (Capitalize on available platforms – MED SDI)

Regional database on CMEPs

Technical report

WP2 – STATE OF THE ART AND GAPS

10

WP 2 - Approach

11

Hotspot maps

Gap analysis per MSFD descriptor

and region

Methodology

Data review

WP2.1a

Data management

WP2.2

Data integration

WP2.3a

Hotspot mapping

WP2.3b

WP 4

Validation

WP 4

Validation

Output Output

Output

Output

WP 3

Prioritization

Data selection mapping

WP2.1a

Data publishing

Med-IAMER Database:

Med-IAMER – Data Review

12

Potential proxies for the Driver, Pressure and State as identified in fisheries sector. (Table does not include all the possible proxies)

Indicators and proxies

D-P-S INDICATOR / PROXY

Driver

Agriculture Human population growth, product prices, profits, subsidies

Fishing Human population growth, product prices, profits, subsidies

Shipping Development of world’s/EU economy(stock markets)

Energy Production World’s/EU economy (stock markets), population growth

Coastal infrastructure Development of world’s/EU economy(stock markets)

Land-based industry Development of world’s/EU economy(stock markets)

Pressure

Invasive species Traffic frequency data from maritime transport

Nutrient loading Nutrient loading from diffuse and point sources (see chapter 4)

Hazardous substances – non renewable energy produciton

Number of oil spills (e.g. industry, shipping)

Abrasion Days at sea in fisheries (bottom trawling), New construction enterprices

Extraction of species Landings in fisheries

Hydrological changes NAO, trends in water temperature and pH

Marine litter Litter counting studies, industrial activity (plasts)

State All relevant fisheries data

Habitats data

Community and biodiversity data

Primary production

WP2 Methodology

Sea D

ata

Sea Rise Level Lan

d D

ata

Gross weight of goods handled in all ports

1 Km Grid

Land based data Sea based data

WP2 Methodology

15

• There is a need for spatial explicit assessment of human activities and related pressures

• Spatial explicitliness can only be achieved by integrating all available and relevant datasets in a common reference system

Data integration

WP2.3a

Methodology

LAND

SEA

WP2 Methodology

16

Data management

WP2.2

Preparatory work for data integration and publishing • Metadata editing • Resolution/scale • Coverage • Relations

Data publishing

WP2 Methodology

17

Hotspot mapping

WP2.3b

Hotspot maps

18 18

WP3 – PRIORITY & POLICY MAPPING

Objectives and outcomes

• current state of maritime and coastal status in the region (link and

priorities D/P)

• Assess Driving forces determining (the success of ?) horizontal

governance measures and respective regional and territorial

policies (trans-boundary cooperation and conflicts - link Pressures/

Policies)

• Foster on going processes and governance arrangements namely

BC, EUSAIR, and the MAREMED initiative.

Awareness plan - Situation of trans-boundary protection efforts

WP3 Methodology

19

Drivers (maritime activities)

Pressures (in line with MSFD)

State (intensity & value)

Response (existing policies)

Policies International

EU-MED National

Governance arrangements

Adriatic-Western Med

Synergies Gaps

Implications

Effectiveness Development of

indicators to measure

performance

Evaluation of

effectiveness

Integrated framework

WP3.1

WP3.2a

Validation

WP4 (2nd workshop) Satkeholder validation

WP4 (1st workshop)

WP3.2b

WP2

Validation

Validation

Illustration

Validation

WP4 (1st workshop)

Prioritization

Policy mapping

Objectives and outcomes

– Involve stakeholders to collect and process their feedback and opinions on the knowledge generated

– Incorporate regional stakeholders’ inputs on data needs (stakeholders’ needs and expectations in terms of data/info)

– Stakeholder consultation (online questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, participatory wps):

• Needs and expectations regarding Med-IAMER (2 questionnaires)

• Results/outcomes from Med-IAMER (validation process): assessment of project´s outcomes + inputs on drafted recommendations to define trans-boundary actions

• Effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms and trans-boundary arrangements put in place to overcome trans-boundary conflicts in the region,

• Forward looking – potential threats

Generated Knowledge assessment and Extraction of key messages

20

WP4 – STAKEHOLDERS STRUCTURED DIALOGUE

BUILDS ON PREVIOUS EFFORTS:

– EcAp process under BC

– PEGASO (ICZM Protocol) and PERSEUS (MSFD)

– State of the Environment and Development in the Mediterranean (SoED 2009), State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment (SoMMCE 2012)

– MAP system: sources of information and policy frameworks

Objectives and outcomes

Key messages and structured knowledge for decision making

Policy briefs, Factsheets, Maps,Matrix, indicators

21

WP5 – ELABORATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Additional back-up to MSFD

– Nature of land-sea interactions varies across the region, analysis of DPSIR crucial

– Information that focuses specifically on the land-sea interactions is lacking and needs to be considered, Particular emphasis on data availability,

– Land-sea interactions are dynamic and careful consideration needs to be given in thinking about the policy implications.

– Further research is needed to consider the common spatial units of analysis for European territorial space linking Land and Sea.

– Geographical coverage Extension needed by adding new datasets and extending to inland areas within European space and neighboring countries - Special focus on non-EU countries in terms of gap filling.

Relevance to distil some of the main distinctions before looking to the future (for a more effective and less harmful BG investment / actions),

Outlook – Med IAMER

Thank you for your attention!

For further contact:

Dania Abdul Malak

@: daniaabdulmalak@uma.es

Or visit our website at: http://sia.eionet.europa.eu

Upcoming activities of interest – Real Blue

Real Blue

In response to HR2020 topic BG 11- 2014 on Monitoring, disseminating and

uptake of marine and maritime research:

– Enhancing the visibility and impact and use of EU’s funded marine and

maritime research among stakeholders: Specific focus on scientists,

industry, and policy makers

Objectives

To develop and implement a strategy to identify and select key marine and maritime

research projects with potential to contribute to BG and support the EU MSFD and the

revised Common Fisheries Policy.

A framework for analysing key projects and distilling material for targeted exploitation and

dissemination,

A strategy for effective, efficient and target group orientated exploitation and dissemination

of project results,

To deliver a programme of communication, exploitation and dissemination activities,

Set out recommendations in support of EU BG and marine/maritime policy development and

delivery.

24

Upcoming activities of interest – Real BLUE

Major outcomes

Provision of a research framework and identification of main target audience,

A strategy to monitor, identify and select relevant key EU research projects,

Integrated key report on analysis and synthesis of key research findings (KRF) based on

BG thematic areas and geographical relevance (EU Seas, and Sea basin level),

Dissemination strategy and implementation through a 3 pillar approach (web, event, and print

based),

Implementation of a holistic dissemination mechanism of integrated KRF through high impact

networks (CPMR, target events and conferences, regular maritime days at sea level,….),

Integrated report on major recommendations to the different target audiences,

Ready to use database and mapping tool kit of major KRF to be integrated in DG Mare (Atlas

of the Seas) and the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE) of the EC.

25

CISE

Direct support to the EC – Real BLUE

Integration of the

mapping tool and

synthesis datasets

generated by

SuBGREC in a

ready-to use format

to be integrated

into:

DG Mare Atlas of

the Seas,

CISE

(EC/EU/EEA)

Atlas of the Seas

26

Project Full name Programme

MAREMED MAritime REgions cooperation for the

MEDiterranean

MED

MedPAN

South Project

Development of a Mediterranean marine

and coastal protected areas network

MED

PEGASO People for Ecosystem-based Governance in

Assessing Sustainable development of

Ocean and coast

FP7

PERSEUS Policy-oriented marine Environmental

Research for the Southern European Seas

(PERSEUS)

FP7

SAFEMED Strengthening co-operation in maritime

safety and pollution prevention

MEDA

SEAS‐ERA Towards Integrated Marine Research

Strategy and Programmes

FP7

Real Blue* - Mediterranean Case Study

Focus Areas Blue Economy Sectors

Blue Energy

Offshore oil and gas

Offshore wind

Ocean renewable energies

Aquaculture Fisheries

Aquaculture

Marine, Coastal and

Cruise Tourism

Coastal tourism

Yachting and marinas

Passenger ferry services

Cruise tourism

Marine Mineral

Resources Aggregates mining

Blue Biotechnology

Blue biotechnology

Marine aquatic products

Marine mineral mining

Transport

Deep sea shipping

Short Sea shipping

Inland waterway transport

Protection

Coastal protection

Monitoring and surveillance

Risk assessment

Desalination (?)

27 * Focus areas of Real Blue: Arctic, Atlantic,

Baltic, Black, Mediterranean, and North Sea