8 
change, which, according to obser 
vations of the BSH, are also visible in 
the North Sea and Baltic Sea, have 
not come overnight but have been 
on the horizon for quite some time. 
We will have to respond quickly: to 
the Immediate impacts on shipping, 
harbours and coasts, to changes in 
the species spectrum which might 
put our ecosystem out of balance. We 
also have to answer the question how 
our prediction and warning services 
can be prepared to cope with the 
more frequent, more Intensive storms 
and heavier sea states which may 
occur In the future. Our only option Is 
to respond early and develop suitable 
adaptation strategies. 
Much more than In the past, 
comprehensive balancing systems 
will have to be established in order 
to co-ordinate user Interests and 
conservation needs. This requires 
in-depth knowledge of the oceans. 
In this respect, we have not yet 
achieved our goal - not even In our 
home waters, the North Sea and Baltic 
Sea. It is not without a reason that the 
German Wlssenschaftsrat (Scientific 
Council), in Its evaluation of the BSH’s 
performance last year, concluded that 
the BSH carries out extraordinarily 
important research which, however, 
urgently deserves stronger support. 
The Council rightly pointed out 
the problem that severe personnel 
cutbacks over the past 15 years have 
made it more and more difficult for the 
BSH to fulfill its tasks in such a way 
that its own high standards are met. 
On the whole, however, we are 
moving In the right direction, which 
will not only enable us to meet the 
challenges of the future but also to 
take an active role in It. Our approach 
has been corroborated by ongoing 
efforts to achieve a holistic, integrated 
marine policy, also on the European 
level. Many facets of the BSH’s long 
standing work are also reflected In 
the EU Commission’s Blue Paper. 
This Is encouragement at the right 
time, motivating us to continue on our 
course and to defend the Interests 
of shipping and protect the oceans 
with patience, but also with courage, 
perseverance and steadfastness, as 
we have always done successfully, 
even under difficult framework 
conditions. Let us continue In this way. 
It, fd\r