Consultations on the European Ocean Act

The BaltWreck project consortium took part in consultations on the European Ocean Act, sharing its experience from research on shipwrecks and submerged ammunition in the Baltic Sea. Participation in this process is crucial, as thousands of wrecks and dumps of conventional and chemical weapons remain in the region. Due to progressing corrosion, they are becoming an increasingly serious source of pollution and a threat to human safety, ecosystems, and the development of the maritime economy.

The project’s assumptions and activities show that an effective EU maritime policy must combine scientific research, innovative remediation technologies, maritime spatial planning, and the engagement of local communities. The submitted comments highlight the need for systematic mapping of wrecks and ammunition, harmonisation of risk assessment methods, and treating these hazards as real constraints in planning offshore renewable energy, infrastructure, and protected areas.

Through participation in the consultations, BaltWreck partners have the opportunity to translate the project’s results into future EU regulations, helping to better protect the Baltic Sea from fuel leaks and toxic substances, while supporting the sustainable development of the region.

🔗 More about the consultations:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16238-European-Ocean-Act_en