Several scientific studies provide proof of the successes of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in enhancing biodiversity and benefiting sea life. MPAs provide threatened species and living breeding grounds a place to rebuild and flourish. For example, areas facing reduced pressure, where fisheries have been banned or restricted, have healthier communities and often host fish that are significantly bigger and more plentiful than in the areas outside reserves. As fish get bigger in a protected area, productivity increases and creates a spillover effect (of larvae and fish) into surrounding areas leading to bigger catches in these neighboring areas. But the areas set aside need to be large enough to minimize human caused stress factors as much as possible. Another important thing is also to protect different kinds of marine environment. Most the protected sites in the Baltic Sea today is coastal areas, but deep areas are equally important.
Based on three expeditions in the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat, both in shallow and deep waters, Oceana has put together 13 comprehensive conservation proposals for ecologically important areas:
Since 2011, when Oceana opened its new office in Copenhagen, we have conducted two at sea expeditions to gain in depth knowledge with which to further efforts on the conservation of the Baltic Sea and Kattegat. The two month research expeditions covered all of the sub‑basins of the Baltic Sea area and Kattegat. The information collected consists altogether of over 200 ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) recordings, 70 scuba dives with video and photo material and over 80 sediment samples (with Van Veen grab). Over the course of the expeditions, Oceana documented benthic biodiversity and its status both inside designated marine protected areas and in areas not currently protected, some of which were identified as important marine habitats and ecosystems that deserve protection. Damage and threats, including trawling tracks, ghost nets and other trash were also documented.Oceana’s goal is to have 30 per cent of the Baltic Sea and Kattegat effectively conserved by a well‑managed network of marine protected areas that also include essential fish habitats. The proposals included herein are based on information collected during the two expeditions in 2011 and 2012 and from other sources, like national research institutions. Following the 2011 expedition, Oceana proposed areas for protection in “Conservation proposals for ecologically important areas in the Baltic Sea”. During 2012, more information from these, and some additional areas, was collected and new, up‑dated proposals are in progress.
