EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive
HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan adopted in 2007 contains a set of actions to achieve a Baltic Sea in Good Environmental Status by 2021.
For those HELCOM Contracting Parties being also EU Member States the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC) establishes a framework within which the Member States shall take the necessary measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status of the marine environment by the year 2020 at the latest (Article 1).
HELCOM Group on the implementation of the ecosystem approach (Gear) steers on a managerial level the process of successful implementation of the HELCOM BSAP to meet the ecological objectives and achieve good environmental status of the Baltic Sea by 2021 at the latest. The purpose is also to facilitate the regional coordination for the implementation of the MSFD, for those Contracting Parties that are also EU Member States, with the aim to achieve respective coherent national marine strategies. It also needs to include coordination with activities under the Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation.
