According to Ms. Liina Eek-Piirsoo, Chief Specialist of the Nature Conservation Department of the Ministry of the Environment, alien species pose threats to both the environment, economy, and human health. No single country can be successful in coping with such threats alone, therefore international cooperation is necessary in this area. "According to the estimations made in the United States, invasive alien species annually bring about costs amounting to nearly 100 billion USD. Alien species are an increasing problem in both Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region,” said Ms. Eek-Piirsoo. The most problematic alien species in Estonia include the American Mink, the Raccoon Dog, the umbelliferous plant Heracleum Sosnowskyi, Marenzelleria viridis, Cercopagis pengoi, and potentially also a fish species found for the first time in Estonian waters a few weeks ago. In Sweden, alien species causing serious problems include e.g. north-American crayfish species and the Norway Rat distributed widely in the whole region. Although scientists have actively investigated alien species, the scope of damage caused by alien species in the Scandinavian and Baltic Sea region has not been estimated to date. Participants of the conference will include experts of the United States and international organizations - Convention on Biological Diversity, International Maritime Organization, International Council for Exploration of the Sea, and International Convention on Plant Protection -, as well as scientists, officials and non-governmental organizations of the Baltic Sea countries. A press conference concerning the event will be held on May 23 at 10.30 a.m. in the Ministry of the Environment (Toompuiestee 24). For additional information please contact: |
