In 2010, the Baltic Sea countries established a joint HELCOM-VASAB maritime spatial planning working group within the framework of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area and regional planning cooperation. The working group is responsible for the further development of maritime spatial planning and the coordination of maritime spatial plans in the Baltic Sea. The Åland Islands also participate in the working group, in addition to mainland Finland. Legislation concerning maritime spatial planning in Russia is currently under way, so the preparation of the Russian maritime spatial plan for the Baltic Sea has not yet started. However, Russia is actively participating in the work of the HELCOM-VASAB working group.
The working group has prepared common principles for maritime spatial planning, as well as a recommendation on the application of the ecosystem approach (2015), a recommendation on international cooperation and participation in maritime spatial planning (2016) and recommendation on a knowledge base for maritime spatial planning (2018). The working group is currently preparing a common knowledge base for maritime spatial plans, criteria for the compatibility of plans and opportunities for developing the ecological network.
The working group also serves as the Horizontal Action Leader for the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, in which capacity the group can influence maritime spatial planning projects implemented in the Baltic Sea and create favourable conditions for cooperation and exchange of information, as well as organising an international maritime spatial planning forum every two years.
Maritime spatial planning contributes to the implementation of Finland’s Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.