Stockholm - Swedish maritime policy is based on the view that the seas are an indispensible resource. Preserving this resource will require a holistic approach to how we use the seas and action to preserve or restore marine ecosystems. A new statement now forms the foundation for a coherent Swedish maritime policy.

In this special Swedish action plan for the full range of international cooperation, the Baltic Sea is seen as a pilot project. Among the issues there are three proposals for monitoring and reducing waste too:

Reducing the use of hazardous substances in antifouling paints

Further action is required to reduce the need for, and to ban, hazardous substances in antifouling paints. These paints contain environmental toxins that prevent the growth of algae on the hulls of boats and ships. Therefore shipyards and marinas, for example, will be able to apply for financial support (LOVAgrants) to establish hull wash stations that can replace the hazardous hull paints. Ahead of the upcoming review of the Biocidal Products Directive, Sweden is working for more stringent biocide approval criteria in the EU.

Inventory of unowned wrecks

Unowned wrecks can pose environmental problems due to leaching of oils or metals, for example. The Swedish Maritime Administration has been instructed to draw up an initial inventory to clarify the number of unowned wrecks and the environmental hazards associated with them. After this a responsible agency will be designated for further work.

Reducing emissions of hazardous substances and pharmaceutical residues

The identification of sources of hazardous substances in the marine environment and how these substances are dispersed will be improved, and measures taken to reduce their impact on the marine environment. This applies to substances such as cadmium, mercury and nonylphenol. The dispersion of pharmaceutical residues and other hazardous substances via waste water treatment plants will also be reduced using a variety of measures. EU legislation on pharmaceutical products should be supplemented to contain requirements for testing to establish the environmental hazard associated with active ingredients so as to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals.

The full statement on Swedish maritime policy can be downloaded under sweden.gov.se.

Quelle: Ministry of the Environment, Sweden

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