Dr. Poutanen has (PhD 1986, University of Helsinki) a long carrier in marine science as well as in marine protection and management. Currently she is employed by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment in which she is the head of the Marine Protection Group. She is deeply involved in marine protection issues being currently the Head of Delegation of Finland to the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) and the Marine Director of Finland at EU co-operation. Under her direction the Marine Protection Group is responsible for the implementation of the EU marine strategy directive and has the shared coordinator role with Poland for priority area 1 (eutrophication) of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Also the environmental issues of the maritime traffic (IMO MEPS), marine biodiversity (e.g. Natura 2000 and SPAs), EU Maritime Policy, OSPAR, UNCLOS, ASCOBANS etc. related issues are under the responsibility of the Group.