LIFE & the Marine and Coastal environment The EU LIFE Programme The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment. Since 1992 it has co-financed pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation and development of EU environment policy and legislation. Of the 3 956 projects supported by LIFE to date, 366 have targeted marine and coastal environment sites, with a total LIFE allocation of almost €300 million and the mobilisation of a further €623 million from other public and private contributions. This continuous source of financing is supporting the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which aims to achieve good environmental status of the EU’s marine waters by 2020. LIFE has contributed to the conservation of highly endangered marine species and habitats, as well as the establishment of the Natura 2000 Network in the marine environment, thus promoting the implementation of the Habitat and Birds Directives on the European seas and oceans. LIFE is also one of the main EU funding instruments supporting Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), enhancing the correct use and protection of coastal and marine resources and reducing the environmental impact of many sectors operating in marine and coastal areas such as agriculture, harbours, shipping, tourism, fisheries and aquaculture. Two good LIFE projects are profiled below, followed by a list of 14 other notable marine and coastal projects. For further details about LIFE projects that have targeted these environments, visit: ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/. Title: FINMARINET - Inventories and planning for the marine Natura 2000 network in Finland
M A P P I N G A N D P L A N N I N G
Project number: LIFE07 NAT/FIN/000151 Coordinator: The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
Title: ECOTEC-STC - Demonstration of a 100% non-toxic hull protection and anti-fouling system contribution to zero emissions to the aquatic environment and saving 3-8% heavy fuels Project number: LIFE06 ENV/B/000362 Coordinator: HYDREX N.V.
Website: www.ymparisto.fi/finmarinet
FINMARINET
ECOTEC-STC
Marine habitats in the Baltic Sea have been greatly affected by extensive eutrophication and increased amounts of toxic substances. In order to protect the marine environment and to assist compliance with the Habitats Directive, it is of paramount importance to increase knowledge on the key marine habitats present in different areas.
Marine structures such as ship hulls need protection against corrosion and ‘biofouling’, the attachment of marine organisms such as algae and b arnacles. Biofouling increases a ship’s drag and thus its fuel consumption by up to 40%. While anti-fouling coatings are a very effective and economic means of protecting ship hulls, most release heavy metals and harmful biocides into the marine environment. In fact, at least 5 000 tonnes of copper alone leach from anti-fouling paints every year, killing wildlife, polluting harbour floors and entering the food chain.
The objective of FINMARINET was to map the distribution of important underwater habitat types as well as their flora and fauna in key marine Natura 2000 sites and their surrounding areas. Data collected during the field work (the most extensive of its kind undertaken so far in Finland) was then used in distribution modelling of habitats and species. This exercise produced new information in support of the Natura 2000 Network implementation and management. Education and public awareness campaigns led to a raised appreciation of Baltic Sea underwater nature among the general public in Finland and in other Baltic Sea states. The success of the FINMARINET project has also increased the number of experts on marine nature in the Northern Baltic Sea, established productive national and international networks of excellence in the field of marine surveys, and generally improved awareness of Finnish marine environments.
The ECOSTEC-STC project developed ‘Ecospeed’, a new biocide-free anti-fouling and anti-corrosion treatment that is composed of a vinyl ester resin reinforced with glass platelets. It was tested on seven vessels of various types: container ships, general cargo ships, an LPG tanker and a split hopper barge. The results were very impressive. Not only was Ecospeed shown to eliminate biofouling without releasing pollutants, but it also reduced drag and protected the hull from corrosion. In fact, a single coat of Ecospeed treatment provides protection for the entire lifetime of a standard ship – around 25 years. Moreover, the project estimates that if 80% of all ships switched to Ecospeed, 28.5 million tonnes of fuel and 90 million tonnes of CO2 would be saved annually – as well as 12 million litres of paint.
E C O L O G I C A L A N T I F O U L I N G
Environment
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SELECTIVE LIST – PROJECTS ON THE MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENT SOS Freira do Bugio
WINTECC
Urgent measures for the recovery of Bugio’s petrel, Pterodroma feae, and its habitat
Demonstration of an innovative wind propulsion technology for cargo vessels
Coordinator: Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira
Coordinator: Fleet Management GmbH & Co. KG
www.sosfreiradobugio.pt
LIFE06 ENV/D/000479
LIFE06 NAT/P/000184
SCANS-II
SEDI.PORT.SIL
Small Cetaceans in the European Atlantic and North Sea
Recovery of dredged SEDIments of the PORT of Ravenna and SILicon extraction
Coordinator: The University Court of the University of St. Andrews
biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/scans2 LIFE04 NAT/GB/000245
Coordinator: MED INGEGNERIA S.r.l. www.lifesediportsil.eu/en/ index.html
LIFE09 ENV/IT/000158
BLUEREEF
FAROS
Rebuilding of Marine Cavernous Boulder Reefs in Kattegat Coordinator: The Danish Forest Agency
Integral networking of fishing actors to organize a responsible optimal and sustainable exploitation of marine resources
www.bluereef.dk
www.farosproject.eu/
LIFE06 NAT/DK/000159
Coordinator: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas LIFE08 ENV/E/000119
Caretta
STABLE
Reduction of mortality of Caretta caretta in the Greek seas
Controlled Treatment of TBT-Contaminated Dredged Sediments for the Beneficial Use in Infrastructure Applications Case: Aurajoki – Turku
Coordinator: Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece
Coordinator: Terramare Oy www.archelon.gr
LIFE02 NAT/GR/008500
projektit.ramboll.fi/life/stable/ LIFE06 ENV/FIN/000195 index.asp
INDEMARES
3R-FISH
Inventory and designation of marine Natura 2000 areas in the Spanish sea Coordinator: Fundación Biodiversidad
Integral management model of recovery and recycling of the proper solid waste from the fishing and port activities
www.indemares.es
www.3rfish.org/
LIFE07 NAT/E/000732
Coordinator: Centro Tecnológico del Mar. Fundación CETMAR LIFE07 ENV/E/000814
MARMONI
WEBAP
Innovative approaches for marine biodiversity monitoring and assessment of conservation status of nature values in the Baltic Sea
Wave Energized Baltic Aeration Pump Coordinator: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute Ltd
Coordinator: Baltic Environmental Forum - Latvia marmoni.balticseaportal. net/wp/
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www.webap.ivl.se/
LIFE08 ENV/S/000271
FISH SCALE
DESTINATIONS
Food Information and Safeguard of Habitat a Sustainable Consumption Approach in Local Environment
Development of Strategies for Sustainable Tourism Investments in the Mediterranean Nations
Coordinator: Costa Edutainment S.p.A. (Acquario di Genova)
Coordinator: Priority Actions Programme/Regional Activity Centre
www.fishscale.eu
© European Union, 2014
LIFE09 NAT/LV/000238
LIFE09 INF/IT/000076
LIFE06 TCY/INT/000250
Visit the LIFE website: ec.europa.eu/life
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