The Baltic Sea ecosystem is in urgent need of better care. Many populations of fish, marine mammals and seabirds have been decimated, and others are contaminated or in poor condition. Oxygen-depleted zones, turbid water and damaged habitats are also strong reminders of human impact.

For society to fully benefit from the sea, a healthy ecosystem is a necessity. Stronger decisions are therefore needed to reduce emissions of nutrients and hazardous substances, and to ensure the development of a sustainable blue economy with ecosystem-based fisheries management and adequate marine protection.

In a new leaflet from Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre, 21 key measures to improve the environmental state of the Baltic Sea, in areas such as eutrophication, commercial fisheries, chemicals management, restoration and protection are listed. The set of measures is the result of intensive discussions between researchers and experts at Stockholm University and reflects their expertise rather than claiming to be exhaustive.

The aim is to provide a set of important actions that members of the new European Parliament, as well as decision-makers in Member States around the Baltic Sea, could  implement in the coming years. 

”By joint efforts and bold actions, decision-makers around the Baltic Sea can create a path towards a healthier and more resilient sea”, says Director Tina Elfwing. 

Read or download the leaflet as pdf:

Key measures for the Baltic Sea 2024 (13619 Kb)

Read as web text:

Key measures for the Baltic Sea