Land–sea interaction

The preparation of the Finnish coastal zone strategy is based on the recommendation concerning the integrated management and use of coastal areas. The strategy proposes a comprehensive, strategic and regional approach to coastal activities. The sustainable development of coastal areas is deemed to require long-term planning in which the options for the use of areas and various activities, as well as the natural conditions of the area, can be taken into account in a comprehensive and balanced manner. Preparation for the future development of coastal areas, as well as for extreme circumstances, such as the impacts of climate change, plays a key role. 

The coastal zone strategy includes the ways in which the various authorities can contribute to the sustainable development of the coastal area. In accordance with the recommendation, the strategy presents principles for the use and management of coastal areas that should be followed and promoted in the implementation:

– A broad perspective that takes into account the interdependence and differences between natural systems and human activities affecting coastal areas 

– A long-term perspective that takes into account the preparedness principle and the needs of current and future generations 

– Easily adjustable use and management as a step-by-step process that facilitates adaptation when problems arise and information increases. This requires reliable information about the development of coastal areas. 

– The local characteristics of coastal areas and their significant diversity, which offers opportunities to respond to practical needs through special solutions and flexible measures 

– Operational alignment with natural processes and respect for the carrying capacity of ecosystems, which makes human activities more environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically sensible over the long term 

– The involvement of all relevant parties in the process concerning use and management

– Support by and participation of the competent administrative bodies at the national, regional and local levels through the establishment or maintenance of appropriate contacts between them to improve the coordination of current policies 

– The combination of tools that have been designed to facilitate coherence between the goals and planning of sector-specific policies, as well as use and management.

Land–sea interaction has been discussed in project work in cooperation with the other Baltic Sea countries, within the Pan Baltic Scope project in 2018 and 2019, for example.

During the vision work phase of the maritime spatial planning process, land–sea interaction was discussed with maritime stakeholders, and in terms of mainland-based activities, such as industry, communities, agriculture and forestry, the direct and indirect impacts on marine areas were made visible (see table).

You can learn more about stakeholders’ views on key sector-specific factors affecting land–sea interaction by studying the sector-specific roadmaps created during the vision work phase.

Table: Impacts of mainland-based activities on marine ecosystems.