Conservation of marine nature and promotion of the sustainable use of natural resources in the marine and coastal regions of Finland Finnish Environment Institute Syke ( Government ) #OceanAction59086 Description SDGs & Targets SDG 14 targets covered Deliverables & timeline Resources mobilized Progress reports Description Description The CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Biodiversity Strategy aim to protecting 30 per cent of ocean and marine areas by 2030. The LIFE-IP BIODIVERSEA project explores science- and data-based approaches to achieve this 30 by 30 target in Finland in the most efficient and socially sustainable way. The conservation work builds on the extensive Finnish Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine Diversity (Velmu, by its Finnish acronym), which contains data from over 200.000 sites and provides detailed information on underwater habitats and species in Finnish marine waters. Supported by advanced modelling and systematic conservation planning, the project identifies the most diverse and valuable underwater nature sites and determines an ecologically effective expansion of the MPA network. The project also explores practical ways to address the impacts of human activities both within and outside the MPA network. Finally, a new underwater biodiversity monitoring system – combining remote sensing, field studies, and molecular techniques – will be developed to assess the effectiveness of conservation and restoration measures. The effects of climate change on the distribution of protected species will also be studied to ensure the long-term resilience of conservation efforts. Partners Finnish environment Institute Syke (Government) Ministry of the Environment (Government) Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland (Government) SDGS & Targets Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development Targets 14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution Indicators 14.1.1 (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans Indicators 14.2.1 Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas 14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels Indicators 14.3.1 Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations 14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics Indicators 14.4.1 Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information Indicators 14.5.1 Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas 14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation Indicators 14.6.1 Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing 14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism Indicators 14.7.1 Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries 14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries Indicators 14.a.1 Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology 14.b Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets Indicators 14.b.1 Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries 14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want" Indicators 14.c.1 Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources SDG 14 targets covered Name Description 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information 14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries Deliverables & Timeline 31 December, 2025 Assessment of the spatial extent of anthropogenic pressures in the Finnish Sea area, used in conservation planning 31 December, 2027 A spatial solution for developing the network of marine protected areas towards the 30 by 30 target in Finland, based on marine biodiversity inventories and analysis of human pressures. 31 December, 2028 Marine biodiversity monitoring system, aimed at detecting underwater marine biodiversity changes and verifying the ecological efficiency of the MPA network Resources mobilized Financing (in USD) Ministry of the Environment funding for Velmu Staff / Technical expertise ca 5 person-years in analysis of anthropogenic pressures, modelling work, systematic conservation planning, and developing the monitoring network. Partnership Progress No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one. False Feedback Action Network This initiative does not yet fulfil the SMART criteria. Share Timeline 01 June 2025 (start date)31 December 2029 (date of completion) Entity Finnish Environment Institute Syke SDGs 14 Other beneficiaries Ministry of the Environment, Finland Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Finland Coordination Group of Marine Spatial Planning, Finland Ocean Basins North Atlantic Communities of Ocean Action Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Sustainable blue economy, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology More information https://www.ymparisto.fi/en/nature-waters-and-sea/natural-diversity/conservation-and-research-programmes/velmu-programme Countries Finland Headquarters Helsinki, Finland Contact Information Markku, Research professormarkku.viitasalo@syke.fi
