The Baltic Sea faces “serious challenges” due to the climate crisis and biodiversity degradation, a new report warns.
The report, released by the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), a regional organization for the protection of the Baltic marine environment, found that fish stocks are at dangerously low levels, while pollution, land use and resource extraction continue to put pressure on the sea….
The report also notes that the Baltic Sea is particularly vulnerable to pollution and changing environmental conditions due to its semi-enclosed and shallow nature.
These findings are a sobering reminder that the Baltic Sea faces serious challenges from human activities,” said Jennika Haldin, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Helsinki Commission and coordinator of the report. The importance of transboundary cooperation, a shift towards truly environmentally sustainable practices and long-term commitment cannot be overemphasized.
However, the report also highlights some bright spots. Efforts to reduce inputs of nutrients and harmful substances, biodiversity and conservation in parts of the Baltic Sea are showing signs of success, with some former pollution hotspots having been removed from the latest assessments. The proportion of marine protected areas in the region is also increasing.
The Baltic Sea Action Plan, developed by the Helsinki Commission in 2021, calls for enhancing biodiversity, reducing environmental pressures and improving the overall health of the Baltic Sea ecosystem.
How can the Baltic Sea be protected?
There are many measures that can be taken to protect the Baltic Sea, including
Reducing land-based sources of pollution such as agriculture and industry
Sustainable management of fish stocks
Protecting and restoring habitats
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change
It is worth noting that the Baltic Sea is a transboundary sea, which means it is shared by nine countries. This means that international cooperation is essential for the effective protection of the Baltic Sea.