European Boating Industry (EBI) is to launch the inaugural Baltic Sea Boating Forum at the Helsinki International Boat Show.
The new Forum will mark the start of a new platform for dialogue between the boating industry, policymakers and stakeholders on the future of boating the Baltic Sea.
The focus of the Forum, which is supported by the Finnish Marine Industries Federation (Finnboat), will be on bridging environmental responsibility and the region’s boating success story.
The Forum is aimed at placing recreational boating within discussions on marine protection, sustainability, economic potential and regional cooperation.
Actions for recreational boating
It is designed to provide an annual format for structured dialogue between industry and policymakers on Baltic Sea issues, including the work of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) and its Baltic Sea Action Plan which includes several actions for recreational boating.
The Forum will showcase and discuss solutions that the sector is driving, with discussions addressing how boating can be prioritised within government policies and how industry innovation contributes to environmental objectives.
Quick, practical actions
Pannelists will also highlight how big environmental challenges require both big solutions and quick, practical actions that allows boating to continue its success story in the region.
Key topics will include the role of recreational boating in delivering the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, aligning boating activities with the 30% marine protection target, while safeguarding access, tourism and regional economic activity.
The first Baltic Sea Boating Forum will take place on Friday 13 February with contributions from policymakers, industry leaders and user representatives from across the Baltic Sea region.
