Joint meeting between the commissions for the protection of the oceans
Bern, 24.06.2003 - The North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea require more comprehensive protection. The commissions for the protection of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) and the Baltic Sea (HELCOM) will hold a joint meeting for the first time in Bremen from 25 to 26 June 2003 to address this issue. Switzerland, as a member of the OSPAR Convention, will be represented at the Joint Ministerial Meeting by the SAEFL.
Both the OSPAR and HELCOM commissions support the protection of the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. The member states are committed to combating the over-fertilisation of the ocean, reducing the entry hazardous and radioactive substances into the ocean, and the conservation of the ecosystems of the marine environment. Switzerland is an upstream country of the rivers flowing into the North Sea and has been a member of OSPAR since 1998.
Joining forces to promote the protection of the oceans
At the joint ministerial meeting, the OSPAR and HELCOM commissions plan to define goals for the sustainable use of both marine environments and for the protection of the marine ecosystems. The commissions also intend to develop proposals for the future European «Strategy for the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment». A joint network of marine protection zones should be developed by 2010 for the conservation of ocean and coastal area biodiversity. OSPAR and HELCOM want to work more closely with the relevant international authorities to address damage to the marine environment caused by deep sea fishing and navigation.
Land-locked Switzerland also has responsibility for clean oceans
Switzerland’s participation in the conference shows its willingness to endorse joint strategies for solving the current environmental problems on a European level. Even though Switzerland is a land-locked country, it is aware of the great importance of marine ecosystems in terms of livelihood and supports the measures to save and conserve the quality of the Baltic Sea and the North-East Atlantic.
At the joint meeting, the two commissions intend to officially commit themselves to the ecosystem approach. In so doing, they will be adopting a principle that is also important in Swiss environmental cooperation. By sustainably protecting the ecosystems of the source rivers which flow into the European oceans, Switzerland can make a direct contribution to the international protection of the marine environment.
Address for enquiries
Information
Ambassador Beat Nobs
International Affairs Division, SAEFL
Tel. +41 (0)31 322 93 23
Ulrich Sieber
Division of Water Protection and Fisheries, SAEFL
Tel. +41 (0)31 322 69 69
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
