Stockholm, Sweden— The Baltic Sea grapples with “critical challenges” stemming from the climate crisis and biodiversity degradation, as highlighted in a recent report. Meanwhile, Sweden’s coastguard has been diligently combatting the repercussions of an oil spill off the country’s southern coast.
In an extensive audit conducted by experts at the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (Helcom), it was revealed on Tuesday that there has been “little to no improvement” in the health of the Baltic Sea between 2016 and 2021. The report shed light on the perilously low levels of fish stocks, persistent pollution, ongoing land use concerns, and the extraction of resources that continue to exert immense pressure on the sea.
The Swedish coastguard’s recent efforts involved the extraction of approximately 20 cubic meters of oil from the Baltic, following a ferry’s grounding three times off Hörvik in southern Sweden, bringing the total to around 50 cubic meters. They are now striving to salvage the vessel, the Marco Polo, and transport it to the port in Karlshamn to avert the risk of further oil spills.
The Baltic Sea, encompassed by nine countries, including Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Russia, possesses unique characteristics with its shallow, low-saline, brackish enclosed waters. However, these features render it highly susceptible to pollution and environmental fluctuations.
The “State of the Baltic Sea 2023” report concluded that despite environmental improvement efforts, overall conditions have not ameliorated, with some indicators worsening. Jannica Haldin, Deputy Executive Secretary of Helcom and coordinator of the report, emphasized the urgent need for transboundary cooperation, a transition toward genuinely sustainable practices, and a steadfast commitment.
Human activities such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction have taken a toll on the ecosystem, causing a decline in biodiversity. The report also highlighted the issue of eutrophication, a primarily human-made phenomenon fueled by excess nutrients leading to harmful algae blooms.
The Baltic Sea’s deteriorating environmental state has adverse implications for fisheries’ profitability and the tourism sector. However, there were some positive aspects, including reductions in nutrient inputs and hazardous substances, as well as progress in biodiversity conservation. Additionally, the share of marine protected areas in the region has increased.
Nevertheless, the report underscored the climate crisis’s escalating impact on the Baltic Sea, with reduced ice cover, extreme weather events, and rising water temperatures.
Helcom’s Baltic Sea action plan, devised in 2021, advocates for enhanced biodiversity, decreased environmental pressures, and the overall health improvement of the Baltic’s ecosystem. Yet, the report lamented that the current rate of biodiversity recovery is insufficient, and the Baltic Sea’s compromised status is closely linked to societal activities and priorities.
Jannica Haldin concluded, “Ensuring that the Baltic Sea ecosystem maintains and improves its function is entirely dependent on how well we can manage our activities to ensure that they are truly sustainable and enhance the resilience of the ecosystem, both in the near future and long term.”
