Preliminary results

15 March, 2007

The project is progressing well and is successfully led and implemented in good cooperation with 20 highly motivated partners.

A. Project preparatory activities:

• Action for Training and education of project staff (A1) is nearly completed, only a study visit of the project partners to Russian sites still to come as part of capacity building measures of Russian partners (receiving feedback from Baltic experts and showing some of their sites in exchange).

• The inventory actions Benthos inventory (A2), Waterbird inventory (A3), Mammal Inventory (A4), Fish inventory (A5) are on the peak of implementation being in the middle of the second field year; all methods are discussed and harmonised among partners, frequent exchange among the experts from the different countries guarantees continuous cooperation.

• GIS data base elaboration (A6) concept is developed, agreed and first data sets are being tested. Management plan (MP) development for selected sites (A7) – concept is developed, country specific particularities are elaborated, solution for possible shortcomings found and plans under preparation in coordination with A2 – A5 field investigations and C1 – C4 (Threat assessment) and D1 (Alternative fishing) management activities.

C. Threat assessment

• By-catch assessment (C1) started with data collection although bad weather conditions and the bird flue hampered the activities in Latvia and Lithuania. Good cooperation with fishermen has been established and bird/seal by-catch is recorded satisfactorily – no trends or conclusions on the threat are yet possible, the next field season will be essential;
• In Dumping assessment action (C2) modelling of dumping and dredging has started with methodological discussions and testing of data sets ahead the schedule to support A7 action with threat information;
• Disturbance assessment (C3) has not yet started, but will, according to schedule, start in autumn 2007.
• For action Pollution assessment (C4) the methods has been agreed, data collection and first laboratory assessments implemented for some sites back to back with A2 field investigations.
  
  

D. The Alternative fishing action (D1) becomes one of the “flag ship” activities of the project with its testing and promotion of alternative fishing methods and is getting famous in Estonia and Lithuania; even in Latvia, where the measure was not planned to be implemented, the fishermen started to be involved and the fishing gear is being tested there as well.

E. Project info flyers (E1) were printed and distributed, web site (E2) is launched (www.balticseaportal.net) and is continuously filled; The film concept (E3) is ready and filming activities are ongoing accompanying the project actions; Media (E4) is getting informed about the main activities; E5 – E10 are scheduled for later project stage.

F. Project management scheme proves being well-designed and functional - continuous financial supervision of partners is ongoing; partners participate actively in decision making; steering group is advising and supporting well – so far no project management problems encountered.

Summary of Conclusions
First preliminary results of inventory actions have brought up information on new breeding colonies of Annex I birds in Estonia and a new habitat (moraine ridges) in Lithuania! Ringed seals are obviously more endangered than thought, while some fish species are more vital than known before.
Aiming at a set of management plans for marine protected areas, the project is contributing to socio-economic development in the coastal zone of the Baltic States and also includes sustainable actions beyond the project within the management plans. Stakeholder involvement at early MP development stage has started and is appreciated by the key actors.

The full Interim Report look here>>