Denmark stands alone in defiance against Baltic Sea marine protection agreement

CCB • December 19, 2016

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: Stockholm and Helsinki 19 December 2016

Denmark threatened to effectively stop progress on a key Baltic Sea regional initiative during the HELCOM Head of Delegation meeting which took place on 14-15 December in Helsinki. This process, prioritized by the EU who is currently chairing HELCOM for the first time, represents an agreement by Baltic Sea Ministers to advance progress towards securing a healthy Baltic Sea. Environmental organizations Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) and Oceana are angered by Denmark’s disruptive actions which severely undermine progress to restore the status of the Baltic Sea.

The so called Holistic Assessment of the Baltic Sea (HOLAS II) project was initiated by all Baltic Sea countries, including Denmark, and has been in progress since 2014. It is intended to demonstrate the overall state of ecosystem health in the Baltic Sea and support commitments under the Baltic Sea Action Plan and EU Directives. It represents a tremendous investment of time and financial resources which have now been undermined due to the actions of just one of the ten contracting parties to HELCOM.

“Denmark has undermined an international process intended to secure a healthy Baltic Sea and fought to be made exempt from its implications. The disrespect Denmark has shown for the cooperative endeavours of HELCOM is deeply concerning.” explains Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of Oceana in Europe.

Following intensive interventions by the other Baltic Sea countries, who restated their commitment to this process, Denmark finally agreed to compromise, allowing the process to proceed. The compromise makes clear that Denmark reserves its right to disregard the findings of HOLAS II, and ensure that the EU cannot hold Denmark accountable to them.

“Shared natural resources can only ever be effectively managed through cooperation and unfortunately this is not first time Denmark has objected environmental agreements backed by all other Baltic Sea countries.”   says Mikhail Durkin, the Executive secretary of CCB.

Denmark’s move against the initiative also jeopardizes the implementation of other agreements aimed at restoring the status of the Baltic Sea and undermines important work carried out by other HELCOM contracting parties. It also complicates the work of those member states who wish to use the HELCOM work in their national implementation of EU directives, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which requires countries to coordinate their work regionally.

Read the entire press release here.

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Job Title: Coalition Campaign Manager - Common Fisheries Policy Position type : Full-time consultancy contract. Open to part-time arrangements initially if needed. Contract duration: Short-term contract until end of March 2026, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability Reports to: Steering Committee Location : Flexible(remote/home office) with regular travel. Working in Brussels is of advantage. Starting date : ASAP In close cooperation with the Steering Group of the coaltion, lead, plan, coordinate, and support the campaign of an NGO network working together towards the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the evaluation thereof. The campaign manager's responsibility is to develop and ensure the successful and timely delivery of political advocacy and public engagement activities of the campaign, both at EU and Member State level. Job description Strategy & Planning Develop and implement short-, and long-term campaign strategies aligned with coalition objectives, in close cooperation with the Steering Group. Set clear goals, timelines, and performance indicators for the campaign and ensure timely delivery thereof. Analyse policy development, political climate, media and public opinion, and stakeholder landscapes to inform tactics. Campaign Delivery Manage day-to-day execution of the campaign activities at Brussels and Member State level. Coordinate coalition partners and ensure communication between Steering Group and coalition members, as well as relevant groups/coalitions/experts and other stakeholders outside the coalition. Advise coalition members on strategic delivery of advocacy activities at all levels, including Member State level. Join Steering Group meetings in an advisory capacity. Report back to the Steering Group on the delivery of the campaign's activities, meeting of targets and milestones, and report back on activities, budget and impact. Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, key stakeholders, and allies to support campaign aims. Analyse opportunities of engagement, advise on policy language. Organise/coordinate/prepare and support relevant activities, including events, briefings, and advocacy activities in close cooperation with coalition members. Ensure relevant knowledge management and information flow within the coalition and across partner organisations. Liaise with communication experts on message framing, strategy and timelines. Management Support CCB administrative and finance staff managing grants to coalition partners. Ensure coalition partners receive information and materials that enable them to effectively contribute to achieving campaign goals (political information, policy briefings, templates, policy language, opportunity analyses). Support fundraising efforts as needed/requested by the Steering Group. Lead on funders narrative reporting. Qualifications & Skills required The consultant must be legally authorised to provide services and work as a consultant within the EU, based in an EU Member State. Fisheries and ocean expertise (preferred), or other environmental background. Degree (or equivalent experience) in communications/campaign management, political science, resource management, fisheries, or related field. Proven track record in designing and delivering successful advocacy or public campaigns at EU or Member State levels involving a larger coalition. Strong understanding of political processes at EU level and Member State levels, media landscapes, and public engagement. Excellent project management and organisational skills. Skilled communicator and coordinator, able to craft persuasive messages and engage a larger network into a common goal within tight deadlines. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Fluency in English is required; additional EU languages are a plus. Application Should you be interested in applying for this assignment, please send your CV (max. 2 pages) together with a personal letter (max. 1 page) before 9 October 2025 , COB, to secretariat@ccb.se Please include your consultancy rate in your application inclusive VAT (if applicable). Applications should be submitted in English. Incomplete applications (e.g. lacking either CV or personal letter) will not be considered . Any inquiries related to this assignment should be forwarded to the above email or to CCB Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at mikhail.durkin@ccb.se and +46 739 770 793. In the application and hiring process, CCB will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social situation. .
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