1. Alan Fisher
OSPAR Pilot project on Ecological Quality Objectives ( ) for the North Sea

2. Aim: clear objectives to implement OSPAR Ecosystem Approach
Alan Fisher
Aim: clear objectives to implement OSPAR Ecosystem Approach
Defining a healthy and sustainable marine ecosystem
Assessment of the current situation
Good communication tools
Showing whether OSPAR achieves its aims

3. Alan Fisher The EcoQO concept (1) 10 issues for the North Sea
1. Commercial fish 6. Benthic communities
species
2. Threatened and 7. Plankton communities
declining species species
3. Sea mammals 8. Habitats
4. Seabirds 9. Nutrient budgets and production
5. Fish communities 10. Oxygen consumption

4. Alan Fisher The EcoQO concept (2) 21 EcoQOs Example of an EcoQO:
“Annual by-catch levels of harbour porpoise should be reduced to levels below 1.7% of the best population estimate”

5. Monitoring and Assessment
Alan Fisher
Monitoring and Assessment
DPSIR:
Driving force
Pressure
State
Impact
Response

6. Process of the Pilot Project
Alan Fisher
Process of the Pilot Project
Co-ordination: Overall lead of the Pilot Project by The Netherlands and Norway
Support: Lead countries for individual EcoQOs

7. Comparison EMS guidance with 7 OSPAR criteria
Alan Fisher
Comparison EMS guidance with 7 OSPAR criteria
Objectives, indicators, limits and targets (EMS) similar to OSPAR approach. OSPAR includes DPSIR: broadening from environment to sustainable development.
Management: some EcoQOs ready for implementation, learning by doing

8. Alan Fisher Costs requirements Based on existing databases
Harmonisation of monitoring

9. Comparison with EA: coherent actions
Alan Fisher
Comparison with EA: coherent actions
Prioritising lead to a set of 21 EcoQOs
Focus mainly on environmental coherence (by scientific coherence)
Via DPSIR indirect focus on other areas of coherence

10. Alan Fisher Lessons learnt (1) “Best practices”
Much knowledge available
Quality control by ICES
Criteria for good EcoQOs
Communication tools: public and politics
Stakeholder involvement

11. Alan Fisher Lessons learnt (2) “Obstacles”: Complex subject
Hard instrument needed
No success on the short term
Complex: Many organizations involved
Difficult to link some EcoQOs to human activities

12. Alan Fisher Recommendations (1)
Take advantage of experiences of the North Sea pilot project
Taylor made: adapt issues for regional seas
Development and implementation of objectives on “regional level”
Prioritising of actions

13. Alan Fisher Recommendations (2)
Communication with stakeholders is very important
Objectives based on existing monitoring to reduce costs
Implementation of EMS objectives within OSPAR by EcoQOs

14. Alan Fisher Stakeholder workshop Oslo, 13-14 December 2004 Aim:
Discuss opportunities and difficulties
Comment on the Pilot Project
Advise to OSPAR