The environmental health of the Baltic Sea is not sufficient, and still does not meet the objectives of the BSAP. However, the measures taken so far, such as cutting nutrient inputs and pollution and working to protect biodiversity, are showing some effects on the state of the Baltic Sea environment. It is obvious that some measures already put into operation have not yet been in place long enough to have an effect. For measures such as the reduction of nutrient loads it will take several decades before the full effects can be measured in the environment (1). However, the Baltic Sea Region is a dynamic area with new trends and challenges, for example:
Wind farms: at present, there are 13 wind farms in the Baltic Sea, situated in Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Finland. Until 2030 the number could increase to 67 offshore wind farms and may cover an area of about 2,500 km2. Challenges are the competition for space and ecological consequences. For example, wind farm cause underwater noise but can also act as artificial reefs that attract several marine species (2).
Pollution: in 1992, HELCOM listed 162 major pollution hot spots in the Baltic Sea Region. In 2019, 19 industrial hot spots and 23 municipal or combined municipal and industrial sites are still on the list (1). The levels of several hazardous substances, including PCBs, dioxins and furans, have been reduced considerably over the past 20 years (2) but problems still persist and new substances are introduced and require ongoing policy actions.
Shipping: the Baltic Sea is one of the most heavily trafficked seas in the world, accounting for up to 15% of the world’s cargo transportation. Each month there are around 3 500 to 5,000 ships on the waters of the Baltic Sea. The number of ships is expected to double by 2030 and the size of ships is expected to increase substantially as well. The number of cruise ships is increasing, as well, with a growing trend for the use of larger ships and more international cruisers (2). Major problems are risks of accidents and emissions. Nitrogen oxide emissions from ships is an important nitrogen source for the Baltic Sea. Ships built after 2020 will have to use new technology, resulting in circa 80 % lower nitrogen oxide emissions. From 2021, sewage discharges from passenger ships will only be allowed into port reception facilities, or alternatively at sea after treatment with advanced on-board sewage treatment plants which reduces the nutrient content of the sewage (1).
Marine protected areas (MPA): 12 % of the Baltic Sea is protected through marine protected areas and the Baltic Sea is worldwide leading in this respect. Offshore areas are strongly under-represented. Challenges are to establish MPAs covering at least 10 % of the offshore area, to establish an ecologically coherent network of MPAs and to implement management plans for all sites.
Other important topics with strong dynamic and/or the need for policy action are tourism, commercial fisheries, aquaculture, sand, gravel and oil extraction or physical exploitation. The examples show that there is an increasing pressure from human uses and activities on the Baltic Sea and an increasing competition for space. Many uses require an intact environment. The importance of the Baltic Sea marine environment to society is shown by economic and social analyses. The results illustrate the contribution from the use of marine waters to the economies and the impact of the state of the marine environment on the welfare of citizens. An important challenge is to improve our understanding of the connection between the marine ecosystem and human welfare (1). Ecosystem service assessment is a suitable approach for this purpose.