10. A Balanced Marine Environ­ment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos

The North Sea and the Baltic Sea must have a sustainable productive capacity, and biological diversity must be preserved. Coasts and archipelagos must be characterized by a high degree of biological diversity and a wealth of recreational, natural and cultural assets. Industry, recreation and other utilization of the seas, coasts and archipelagos must be compatible with the promotion of sustainable development. Particularly valuable areas must be protected against encroachment and other disturbance. This objective is intended to be achieved within one generation.

The outcome within a generation for this environmental quality objective should include the following:

• Threatened species and stocks will be able to spread to new sites within their natural ranges, ensuring long-term viable populations.
• The habitats of threatened, rare and care-demanding species and naturally occurring habitats of conservation value will be maintained at a favourable conservation status.
• The natural beauty, natural and cultural heritage assets, biodiversity and variation of the coastal and archipelago landscape will be maintained by prudent use.
• Fishing, shipping and other uses of seas and other areas of water as well as construction and other development in coastal and archipelago areas, will be undertaken with due consideration for the productive capacity, biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage assets and assets for outdoor recreation of the areas of water concerned.
• Measures will be taken to achieve low levels of noise.
• Buildings and built environments of particular value in the coastal and archipelago landscape will be safeguarded and enhanced.
• All coastal waters will achieve good surface water status with respect to species composition and chemical and physical conditions, as defined in the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).