161
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) plays a crucial role in the case
of oil spills and appears to be a regulatory body that can relatively well foster and
institutionalise such collaboration (Knudsen and Hassler 2011 ; see also Hassler
2016 ). The case study on IAS, in contrast, illustrated the existence of an embryonic
global regulatory framework, the International Convention for the Control and
Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments ( BWMC ). This convention,
however, has not yet (August 2015) entered into force.
8
HELCOM has played an important role with regard to all these issues by establishing a political and regulatory space at the regional level and more recently
through harmonising its regulations with EU regulations (Kern and Löffelsend
2004 : 124). Although HELCOM lacks strong enforcement mechanisms, several
interviewees we spoke to emphasised the many important roles that HELCOM
plays. They said that HELCOM embodies an important part of the governance
structure, as it is the only regional forum for negotiations where the entire BSR
(Baltic Sea region) is represented, including Russia. It also plays an important role
in linking Russia with the EU in debates and policy-making. HELCOM furthermore
increasingly serves as an important arena for information sharing, negotiations and
policy-making (e.g. Boström et al. 2015 ; VanDeever 2011 ), despite the parallel
strengthening of EU competence in the Baltic Sea region.
HELCOM helps to coordinate countries in areas where there are many, partly
overlapping and confl icting regulations (eutrophication, chemical case). It provides
data and action plans ( BSAP ) and identifi es hotspots. Based on such information,
national NGOs as well as public authorities can then promote the implementation of
programmes, projects and decisions made by HELCOM. HELCOM can thus function as an important reference point – a cognitive authority rather than rule-setting
authority – for nationally based campaign organisations. HELCOM can also take a
proactive approach in issue areas that are poorly developed.
7.5.2.2 Multi-sector
Second, the multi-sector notion acknowledges interdependencies across various
sectors and arenas of governance, a key concern according to the EAM perspective.
While we see clear paths towards institutionalisation of regional organisations and
collaboration within sectors, there is less evidence of institutionalised collaboration
across sectors. Governance so far has coped with this complexity primarily on the
discursive level, i.e. by many authorities endorsing EAM, but not translating it into
reformed practices. All case studies reveal substantial diffi culties to translate this
principle into practice. Each issue area has been traditionally handled separately by
regulations and institutions, both nationally and within the EU. Governance relies
on various assessment and management techniques (such as the total allowable
catch system in the overfi shing case) that are diffi cult to reconcile with EAM.
8 The status of IMO Conventions can be checked at http://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/
StatusOfConventions/Pages/Default.aspx
7 The Ecosystem Approach to Management in Baltic Sea Governance: Towards…
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) plays a crucial role in the case
of oil spills and appears to be a regulatory body that can relatively well foster and
institutionalise such collaboration (Knudsen and Hassler 2011 ; see also Hassler
2016 ). The case study on IAS, in contrast, illustrated the existence of an embryonic
global regulatory framework, the International Convention for the Control and
Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments ( BWMC ). This convention,
however, has not yet (August 2015) entered into force.
8
HELCOM has played an important role with regard to all these issues by establishing a political and regulatory space at the regional level and more recently
through harmonising its regulations with EU regulations (Kern and Löffelsend
2004 : 124). Although HELCOM lacks strong enforcement mechanisms, several
interviewees we spoke to emphasised the many important roles that HELCOM
plays. They said that HELCOM embodies an important part of the governance
structure, as it is the only regional forum for negotiations where the entire BSR
(Baltic Sea region) is represented, including Russia. It also plays an important role
in linking Russia with the EU in debates and policy-making. HELCOM furthermore
increasingly serves as an important arena for information sharing, negotiations and
policy-making (e.g. Boström et al. 2015 ; VanDeever 2011 ), despite the parallel
strengthening of EU competence in the Baltic Sea region.
HELCOM helps to coordinate countries in areas where there are many, partly
overlapping and confl icting regulations (eutrophication, chemical case). It provides
data and action plans ( BSAP ) and identifi es hotspots. Based on such information,
national NGOs as well as public authorities can then promote the implementation of
programmes, projects and decisions made by HELCOM. HELCOM can thus function as an important reference point – a cognitive authority rather than rule-setting
authority – for nationally based campaign organisations. HELCOM can also take a
proactive approach in issue areas that are poorly developed.
7.5.2.2 Multi-sector
Second, the multi-sector notion acknowledges interdependencies across various
sectors and arenas of governance, a key concern according to the EAM perspective.
While we see clear paths towards institutionalisation of regional organisations and
collaboration within sectors, there is less evidence of institutionalised collaboration
across sectors. Governance so far has coped with this complexity primarily on the
discursive level, i.e. by many authorities endorsing EAM, but not translating it into
reformed practices. All case studies reveal substantial diffi culties to translate this
principle into practice. Each issue area has been traditionally handled separately by
regulations and institutions, both nationally and within the EU. Governance relies
on various assessment and management techniques (such as the total allowable
catch system in the overfi shing case) that are diffi cult to reconcile with EAM.
8 The status of IMO Conventions can be checked at http://www.imo.org/en/About/Conventions/
StatusOfConventions/Pages/Default.aspx
7 The Ecosystem Approach to Management in Baltic Sea Governance: Towards…