Building the marine Natura 2000 network towards effective management

Transcription

1 International Symposium on Marine Nature Restoration in Northern Europe Restoration of Reefs Copenhagen, 11/03/2013 Building the marine Natura 2000 network towards effective management Fotios Papoulias Nature Unit DG ENVIRONMENT

2 Establishing Marine Natura 2000 N2000 largely complete on land needs to be extended in the marine, esp. offshore Applies to waters where Member States exercise sovereign rights: territorial waters, EEZ, other protection zones (environmental or fisheries), continental shelf A major contribution to EU Biodiv. Strategy, implementing MSFD, preserving marine biodiversity MPAs key tool. A priority since 2002 (Court rulings, political commitments, marine expert group, marine guidelines, LIFE projects, fisheries measures, biogeographical seminars ) EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020: Significant progress in site designations by 2012 Conservation status of marine features stabilised/improved by 2020

3 COVERAGE OF NATURA 2000 IN THE MARINE REGIONS AND SUBREGIONS

4 Area of marine N2000 per MS

5 AREA OF NATIONAL SEAS COVERED BY NATURA 2000

6 % OF NATIONAL SEAS COVERED BY NATURA 2000

7 Progress in marine SCI designation

8 Evaluation of progress Significant progress over past few years. Most MSs actively engaged in surveys and research. Cooperation with Regional Sea Conventions, NGOs, neighbouring countries. Role of LIFE and other EU funds. Art. 17 assessments only 10 % of marine habitats and 2 % of marine species in favourable status, significant knowledge gaps. Conclusions of marine biogeographical seminars large number of insufficiencies. Considerable differences among MSs in area - % of marine waters covered, uneven coverage of EU regional seas, appx 4,3% of EU seas under N2000 (cf. 10% CBD target) Vast majority of marine N2000 sites near shore in the 0-1 nm zone, or within 12 nm. With a few exceptions, significant gaps offshore.

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10 Management of Natura priorities SCI SAC Conservation Objectives Conservation Measures Management Plans Legal, statutory or contractual arrangements Full stakeholder engagement New biogeographical Seminars

11 Priorities for marine Natura 2000 Progress in site designations Marine SCIs (updated seminar conclusions) and SPAs (marine IBA inventory/toolkit) Tackle pressures, management of areas Management planning, monitoring, surveys Active conservation Fisheries management Synergies - Integration in other policies - Financing MSFD CFP reform New Fisheries Fund Species protection Species action plans

12 Guidelines - Natura 2000 in the marine environment Guidelines for the establishment of Natura 2000 in the marine FAQ on links between the Habitats&Birds Directives and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Fisheries measures for marine Natura 2000 sites: A consistent approach to requests for fisheries management measures under the Common Fisheries Policy Common methodology for assessing the impact of fisheries on marine N2000 sites Sectoral guidance on N2000 also relevant to marine: wind-energy, mineral extraction, ports&estuaries, aquaculture

13 Current activities Marine expert group Designation & management of marine N2000 synergies between BHD & MSFD management of fisheries and other activities Follow-up activities (eg. Sensitivity analysis for marine habitats/species in relation to fisheries, habitat management measures) Coordination with MSFD implementation Establishment and management of MPAs Integrated approach in implementation of EU legislation, incl. coherent interpretation of definitions Joint efforts on EU fisheries issues, incl. common methodologies, involving relevant national experts and bodies Streamlining/harmonising reporting and monitoring New biogeographic process

14 Financing LIFE instrumental to support projects: to designate marine sites under N2000 to develop monitoring systems, to implement conservation/restoration measures, to reduce by-catch, to raise awareness and develop sustainable management Prioritised Action Frameworks (Art. 8 Habitats Directive) Opportunities for financing N2000 based on experience with use of current EU funds New proposed EMFF: Support the management, restoration and monitoring of N2000 sites, in accordance with prioritised action frameworks