Scientific expertise for the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan

At the invitation of Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister President Daniel Günther, a scientific advisory board has been formed in Kiel: The 16 advisory board members from leading German marine research institutions will use their expertise to support the implementation of the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan 2030 (APOS). Three of them come from DAM member institutions, including Dr. Joachim Harms, biologist and chairman of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM).

With the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan, the state government of Schleswig–Holstein adopted a comprehensive package of measures in mid–2024 to protect and preserve the Baltic Sea’s ecosystems, which are severely endangered by overuse and pollution. Measures are to be developed and implemented across departments and in cooperation with experts from business, science, and civil society to help preserve the Baltic Sea for present and future generations. The plan comprises 16 specific projects, including the protection of biodiversity, marine protected areas, and the reduction of waste and contaminated sites.

The establishment of the Scientific Advisory Board represents a further step in the implementation of the action plan: “I am delighted that you, as representatives of internationally renowned research institutes, have accepted our invitation to join the Scientific Advisory Board,” emphasized Günther. “From now on, you will be advising our state government on Baltic Sea protection with your expertise and the latest scientific findings – we are very grateful to you for this.”

Broad knowledge base for the protection of the Baltic Sea

Mit ihrer Erfahrung in den Fachbereichen Meeresökologie, Munition im Meer, Geologie, Klima, Tourismus, Wirtschaft, Fischerei, Landwirtschaft und Gesellschaftswissenschaften bringen die Mitglieder des wissenschaftlichen Beirats ein breites Wissensspektrum für den Schutz der Ostsee ein. Von den DAM-Mitgliedseinrichtungen sind das GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel (GEOMAR), die Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel sowie das Institut für Terrestrische und Aquatische Wildtierforschung (ITAW) der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule in Hannover vertreten, dessen Direktorin Prof. Ursula Siebert den Vorsitz des Beirats übernimmt.

“Ich freue mich sehr, dass die Landesregierung den Erkenntnissen der Meeresforschung einen so hohen Stellenwert bei der Umsetzung des APOS einräumt. Meeresschutz gelingt nur gemeinsam, in Zusammenarbeit aller gesellschaftlichen Bereiche.”, betonte Joachim Harms. “Aufgabe der Meeresforschung ist es, Handlungswissen bereitzustellen – als Grundlage für fundierte politische Entscheidungen und die Entwicklung praktikabler Lösungen für den Schutz und nachhaltige Nutzung der Meere. Dieses Wissen bringen wir gerne in den Aktionsplan Ostseeschutz ein.”

With their expertise in marine ecology, munitions in the sea, geology, climate, tourism, economics, fisheries, agriculture, and social sciences, the members of the Scientific Advisory Board contribute a broad spectrum of knowledge to the protection of the Baltic Sea. The DAM member institutions represented are the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR), Kiel University, and the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, whose director, Prof. Ursula Siebert, chairs the advisory board.

“I am very pleased that the state government attaches such great importance to the findings of marine research in the implementation of the APOS. Marine protection can only succeed if all sectors of society work together,” emphasized Joachim Harms. “The task of marine research is to provide practical knowledge as a basis for sound political decisions and the development of viable solutions for the protection and sustainable use of the oceans. We are happy to contribute this knowledge to the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

Press release (in German) from the state government of Schleswig-Holstein on the establishment of the scientific advisory board