| Responses and adaptive management | ||
| Principles | ||
| Nutrient reduction strategies in Denmark | ||
| International co-operation to abate marine eutrofication | ||
Responses and adaptive management
Since the mid 1980s high priority has been given to the quality and protection
of the aquatic environment in Denmark. The overall goal is to ensure that
the waters are clean. The endeavours in this respect are described in
Aquatic Environment 1999 (Danish
EPA 2000) and summarised in Conley
et al. (2002).
These papers state that Danish administrations shall work towards ensuring:
- That watercourses, lakes and marine waters are clean and of a satisfactory quality as regard to health and hygiene.
- That exploitation of water bodies and associated resources takes place in a sustainable manner.
- That the objectives of relevant international agreements will be fulfilled.
The central legal instrument to fulfil these political objectives is the Consolidated Environmental Protection Act, which aims to safeguard the environment, to support a sustainable social development, and to protect flora and fauna (Ministry of Environment and Energy 1998).
The general objectives for Danish marine waters are based on the Consolidated Environmental Protection Act, the 1992 Helsinki Convention on Protection of the Marine Environment in the Baltic Sea Region and the 1992 Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Northeast Atlantic. More specific objectives are:
- Anthropogenic pollution and human activities may only insignificantly or slightly affect fauna and flora.
- Nutrient levels have to be at or close to natural levels.
- Clarity of the water has to be normal or close to normal.
- Unnatural blooms of toxic planktonic algae must not occur.
- Pollution-dependent macroalgae must not occur.
- Oxygen deficiency may only occur in areas where this is natural.
Commercial exploitation, i.e. fishery, offshore industry, dumping of
seabed material, recreational activities etc. has to be conducted in a
manner that is sustainable and respects environmental and natural wealth.
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