Definitions

Ecosystem approach

A step toward the implementation of a regional Baltic Sea specific ecosystem approach to the management of human activity was made at the Joint OSPAR and HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in June 2003 where it was agreed that the ecosystem approach and setting of ecological quality objectives (EcoQOs) are key to improving the protection of the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea (Declaration of the First Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Helsinki and OSPAR Commissions, Bremen 25-26 June 2003).

The ecosystem approach is commonly defined as

	“the comprehensive integrated management of human activities based on the best available scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in order to identify and take action on influences which are critical to the health of marine ecosystems, thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity”.

Ecological quality objectives

When the ecosystem approach is discussed several other terms are also commonly used. The definitions, as agreed by the 5th North Sea Conference (Bergen Declaration 2002) are the following:

	Ecological Quality (EcoQ) is “An overall expression of the structure and function of the marine ecosystem taking into account the biological community and natural physiographic, geographic and climatic factors as well as physical and chemical conditions including those resulting from human activities”

	Ecological Quality Elements are the individual aspects of overall Ecological Quality.

	Ecological Quality Objective (EcoQO) is the desired level of an ecological quality (EcoQ). Such a level may be set in relation to a reference level.