Strategic environmental assessment of national development plan “Estonian Marine Policy 2012 −−−2020” Draft report (12.10.2015) Client: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications Prepared by: Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli Meresüsteemide Instituut (Marine Systems Institute at Tallinn University of Technology) OÜ Alkranel Head of SEA working group: Alar Noorvee Tartu-Tallinn 2015 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 5 1. A SHORT OVERVIEW OF THE PRIORITIES, OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES OF THE MARINE POLICY ................................................................................................................................................... 7 2. OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND PRESSURES ........................... 10 2.3 Overview of socio-economic environment and problems ................................................................ 10 2.3.1 Maritime industry related business environment ..................................................................... 10 2.3.3 Marine transport and ports (including maritime rescue) ......................................................... 19 2.1.3 Natural resources (mineral resources, wind) and using thereof ............................................... 22 2.1.4 Marine cultural heritage and traditional coastal lifestyle ......................................................... 26 2.1.5 Maritime education and research and development activity .................................................... 27 2.1.6 Air quality, including traffic noise in the air environment ....................................................... 29 2.2 Overview of the natural environment ............................................................................................ 32 2.2.1 Bathymetry, characteristics of seafloor and coast .................................................................... 32 2.2.2 Temperature, salinity, stratification, ice cover ......................................................................... 34 2.2.3 Currents, wave regime and sea level ........................................................................................ 35 2.2.4 Nutrients and oxygen .............................................................................................................. 37 2.2.5 Plankton ................................................................................................................................. 40 2.2.6 Benthos ................................................................................................................................... 41 2.2.7 Fish fauna ............................................................................................................................... 44 2.2.8 Wild birds ............................................................................................................................... 46 1. 2.2.9 Protected natural objects and Natura 2000 ..................................................................... 47 2.2.10 Marine mammals .................................................................................................................. 51 2.3 Pressures on and status of the natural environment ....................................................................... 53 2.3.1 Physical damage: siltation, smothering, elimination, sealing, changing the coastline ................ 54 2.3.2 Underwater noise .................................................................................................................... 57 2.3.3 Nutrient enrichment ................................................................................................................ 60 2.3.4 Inputs of organic matter .......................................................................................................... 63 2.3.5 Introduction of microbial pathogens to waterbodies ................................................................ 65 2.3.6 Contamination by hazardous substances ................................................................................. 67 2.3.7 Marine litter ........................................................................................................................... 68 2.3.8 Oil pollution from ships and its impact .................................................................................... 69 2.3.9 Selective extraction of species .................................................................................................. 72 2.3.10 Introduction of non-indigenous species .................................................................................. 73 2.3.11 Intentional or systematic release of solid substances into the marine environment ................. 74 2.3.12 Status of the natural environment ......................................................................................... 75 2 Strategic Environmental Assessment of the National Development Plan “Estonian Marine Policy 2012 −2020” Draft Report, 2015 3. OBJECTIVE, METHOD AND SCOPE OF THE STRATEGIC ENVIROMENTAL ASSESSMENT . 78 4. COMPLIANCE ANALYSIS OR RELATIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN WITH OTHER STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS ................................................................................................................. 80 4.1 Regional and European Union documents ..................................................................................... 80 4.2 National documents of Estonia ...................................................................................................... 84 Priority 1: Improving knowledge transfer and innovation in the agricultural and forestry sector and rural areas ................................................................................................................................................ 93 Priority 2: Improving the viability of agricultural holdings and the competitiveness of all agricultural forms in all areas and promoting innovative agricultural technologies and sustainable forest management ......... 93 Priority 3: Promoting the organisation of food chain in agriculture, including the processing and marketing of agricultural products, animal welfare, and risk management ............................................................. 93 Priority 4: Restoring, preserving and improving agricultural and forestry ecosystems ............................. 93 Priority 5: Promoting resource efficiency and supporting the transition to low-CO2 emission and climate resilient economy in agriculture and food and forestry sectors .............................................................. 94 Priority 6: Promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and the rural economic development ................ 94 5. ANALYSIS OF EXTERNAL IMPACTS OR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS PRESUMED TO OCCUR IN RELATION WITH The IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND MITIGATION MEASURES (PROPOSALS) ....................................................................................... 101 5.1 Analysis of the impact of implementation of the “Estonian Marine Policy 2012 −−−2020” development plan .................................................................................................................................................. 101 5.2 Summaries of area-specific impact analysis and proposals ........................................................... 122 5.2.1 Impact on seawater quality and physical indicators of the marine environment .................... 122 5.2.2 Impact on marine biota and habitats (including impact on protected nature objects) ............ 126 5.2.3 Impact on air quality (including outdoor noise) and climate change ...................................... 128 5.2.4 Impact on sustainable use of natural resources and resources ............................................... 130 5.2.5 Impact on human well-being and health (including outdoor noise) ........................................ 131 5.2.6 Impact on sea-related business (including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism etc.) ...................... 132 5.2.7 Impact on marine transport and ports (including navigational safety and security, marine rescue) ........................................................................................................................................... 133 5.2.8 Impact on marine cultural heritage ....................................................................................... 133 5.2.9 Cumulative impacts and cross-border impact ....................................................................... 134 6. DESCRIPTION OF MONITORING REQUIREMENTS AND FOLLOW-UP ASSESSMENT ......... 137 6.1 Monitoring of natural environment ............................................................................................. 137 6.2 Monitoring of the objectives (including socio-economical) of the development plan ..................... 139 7. OVERVIEW OF THE SEA PROCESS AND ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES ............................ 142 8. SUMMARY OF THE SEA RESULTS .............................................................................................. 144 8.1 OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND PRESSURES .................... 144 8.1.1 Overview of socio-economic environment and problems ........................................................ 144 8.1.2 Overview of natural environment .......................................................................................... 149 8.1.3 Pressures on and status of the natural environment