Background

In November 2002 the "Prestige", a 26 year old tanker loaded with heavy grade oil, was damaged off the Spanish Atlantic Coast, sank and caused an ecological disaster. On its way the tanker had travelled through the Baltic Sea. There are no guarantees that a catastrophe like this cannot also happen here. But the ocean, its coasts and regions nearby have great economic significance. That is why some risks are thought to have to be accepted. Even though not only oil companies, but also tourism as well as the fishing industry profit from the ocean and its coast, the many industrial activities nevertheless do have an effect on the more natural ones. Ecological problems are caused by oil pollution, sewage or aggressive fishing techniques. Environmental organizations and regional administrations also pursue their own aims for the ocean and its coast. Not unusually, interest groups are in conflict with each other: The danger from oil transportation for example can have a negative influence on the tourist sector. The interaction of activities between conflicting groups using the ocean and coastal parts of the Baltic Sea region have until now not been given sufficient attention.

There are many cities in the Baltic Sea region whose harbours are central elements of their economic activities.
In cities like Hamburg, Stockholm, Ventspiels, Riga, Tallinn, Klaipeda or Primorsk ports are associated with trade, tourism and the fishing sector. However, they also have similar potential conflicts which need to be carefully analysed and resolved.

The experiences from the "Coastman"-project will lead to new ideas and solutions for the every day balance between protection of the environment, handling the risks of oil pollution and fostering economic growth.

Furthermore, the know-how that the cities participating in this project can provide, illustrates the fact that the cross-sectoral and transnational experiences from "Coastman" may be applicable elsewhere in the Baltic Sea region.
With the help of already existing and future knowledge of coastal zone management produced by "Coastman", the participating cities will deepen their relations both among themselves and between themselves and other areas within the Baltic Sea region. Since Leningrad Region and Primorsk are also partners in the project, there are good opportunities to consolidate a closer co-operation with the Eastern part of the Baltic Sea.