CCB continues to be the leading NGO network and voice of the civil society in the Baltic Sea Region. CCBs presence in relevant fora has not decreased and CCB continues to be seen as a relevant actor, proactive but also strong defender of the EU policies and environmental law.
CCBs watchdog function must remain a centre piece of our work and during 2018, activities linked to illegal forestry, illegal fishing and discarding, dumping of plastic waste, plans for ill-advised projects like gas pipelines, canals and poor or non-existing handling of manure and toxic waste has been highlighted by CCB.
CCB / Achievements
OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED IN 2018
Dam removal
Dam removal
In support of habitat restoration and fish migration, the CCB Secretariat hosted a study tour on dam removal practices in Västerås, Sweden. Participants attended from Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Belarus and Sweden, learning about Swedish practices in dam removal to improve aquatic ecosystems.
This study tour was the kick-off of a larger project, submitted in late 2018, to apply best available practices for mitigation of migratory barriers, both in practice with a pilot case near Olkhovka in western Belarus, and through prioritising other rivers and dams for further action.
This work will intensify during 2019 as CCB has now secured additional funding for this work.
Greener agriculture
Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year
CCB supported the re-launch of the WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award (BSFYA) competition to cover the whole BSR (including 8 EU and 3 non-EU countries) and with in it, promoted and arranged the competition in Belarus and Ukraine through national member organizations. This work consisted of updating and adapting (in coordination with WWF and local partners) the award criteria and categories to local conditions, promotion and communication for local farmers’ community.
The WWF Baltic Sea Farmer of the Year Award was launched in 2009 to highlight best practices and recognize farmers who are leading the way to reduce nutrient runoff on their farms.
Ecosystem based fisheries management
BSAC restart
2018 marked a significant change in the Baltic Sea Advisory Council, due largely to CCB’s effort both in securing a new Chair, and in building collaboration as Chair of the Working Group on Ecosystems Based Fisheries Management. Our primary effort is to carry perspectives forward to see that fisheries are in environment, and environment is in fisheries.
CCB is building this understanding through work on various issues, primarily through the discussion about cod recovery and the impact of seals, trying to build understanding and a common vision for a future Baltic fishery.
Good Environmental Status
BSAP update
CCBs engagement prior to and delivery during HELCOMs ministerial meeting was a key event during 2018. The meeting in Brussels in March and the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) update process represents both activities done in 2018 but also points the path for continued work. CCB has jointly decided to form our own BSAP, similar to the one CCB made already in 1992, initiating the BSAP we have today.
To show where civil society stands on the progress for a cleaner Baltic Sea, largely disappointed in the leadership of their own Member States, the CCB network presented the declaration “We are the Baltic: Civil Society Declaration on Ecosystem Health of the Baltic Sea”.
Biodiversity
Better protection of endangered species
Species protection and full implementation of the EU Habitats Directive both at sea and upstream are likewise key policies for CCBs engagement 2018, where salmon, seal, porpoise represent species spanning both different policies and geographical range. The eel continues to be on the agenda and stepwise reaching the proper attention, not least thanks to the evaluation process of the eel recovery plan from 2007.