Enabling comprehensive effective and efficient protection and restoration measures for a resilient Baltic Sea ecosystem

Project Information

PROTECT BALTIC

Grant agreement ID: 101112866

DOI

10.3030/101112866

EC signature date 21 May 2023

Start date 15 August 2023

End date 14 August 2028

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 8 500 018,75

EU contribution

€ 8 481 917,00

Coordinated by

THE BALTIC MARINE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COMMISSION
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PROTECT BALTIC (Enabling comprehensive effective and efficient protection and restoration measures for a resilient Baltic Sea ecosystem)

Reporting period: 2023-08-15 to 2025-02-14

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

PROTECT BALTIC - an ambitious approach for implementing ecologically coherent and effectively managed MPAs in the Baltic Sea

PROTECT BALTIC supports the biodiversity goals of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, EU Biodiversity Strategy, and CBD Global Biodiversity Targets for the Baltic Sea. It promotes ecologically coherent and effectively managed MPAs and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), alongside restoration, to ensure sufficient spatial protection.

Running from 2023 to 2028, it aims to enhance protection and restoration in the Baltic Sea through strategic, outcome-driven actions that deliver real benefits for biodiversity beyond numerical targets.

Adopting a multi-avenue, MPA-network level approach, it covers planning, designation, governance, and management, aiming to build a long-term, region-wide framework for adaptive, ecologically meaningful protection across national borders and integrating ecosystem-based decision-making.

The project tackles protection gaps through innovative solutions that optimize spatial protection, reduce human impacts, and clarify what, where, and why protection is needed— responding to biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution crises and restoring ecosystem functions to secure long-term benefits for the sea and the people who depend on it.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Work performed and main achievements
Work Packages (WPs) 2-8 comprise core content. WPs 1, 9, and 10 are reported under the Management, Communications, and Exploitation sections, respectively.

WP2: Data
- Mapped data availability and created a data availability matrix.
- Held first of two environmental calls and two MPA management data calls.
- Submitted six deliverables.

WP3: Spatial modelling
- Integrated key predictor variables for modelling.
- Developed species/habitat modelling method (completion expected in spring).
- Submitted two deliverables

WP4: Ecosystem services (ES)
- Developed ES assessment method via literature review.
- Outlined multi-use ES identification and mapping method.
- Held internal workshop to align ES approach with MPA policy.
- Created conceptual framework linking ecosystem components, services, and pressures, forming the cascade model basis.
- Submitted one deliverable.

WP5: Ecological coherence
- Revised coherence criteria to align with EU Biodiversity Strategy and WP6.
- Presented literature review to HELCOM WG BIODIV.
- Advanced connectivity modelling via passive dispersal simulations.
- Submitted one deliverable.

WP6: Adaptive management
WP6 is split into four subgroups. Submitted one overarching deliverable for WP6.

WP6Gov: Governance
- Agreed ecosystem component definition and classification.
- Approved draft component list, endorsed at regional level.
- Published protection terminology.
- Updated and refined human-pressures matrix.
- Established Theory of Change to guide protection efforts.
- Agreed on Baltic Sea Protection Optimization Framework’s structure, assumptions, and guiding principles.
- Approved first draft of Protection Framework, securing regional political approval.
- Drafted Protection Framework blueprint.
- Submitted three deliverables.

WP6Man: Management
- Assessed MPA manager needs through consultations.
- Initiated MEA methodology and conducted three workshops.
- Developed MEA testing framework template.
- Submitted one deliverable.

WP6Res: Restoration
- Completed feasibility analysis for Baltic ecosystem restoration.
- Developed first draft of Restoration Action Plan.
- Designed expert questionnaire for restoration toolbox (deploying in spring 2025).
- Held restoration workshops with experts and MPA managers.

WP6Mon: Monitoring
- Started data collection to review existing monitoring systems.
- Drafted scoping paper for monitoring system review.
- Engaged experts on regional monitoring priorities.

WP7: Legislative frameworks
- Issued first call for MPA legal and management information.
- Hosted Stakeholder Conference workshop on legal challenges affecting MPAs.
- Presented legislative assessment at WG BIODIV.
- Contributed to workshop and MPA definition article.
- Participated in regional policy engagement and cross-WP legal discussions.
- Submitted one deliverable.

WP8: MPA Portal
- Collected user and expert feedback to inform portal design.
- Selected and tested database technologies.
- Collaborated with WP9 for portal user interface design.
- Submitted two deliverables.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

PROTECT BALTIC is pioneering a Regional Spatial Protection Optimization Framework that will create a transboundary decision support package, streamline adaptive management governance, improved spatial protection and provide infrastructure, support and capacity for Baltic Sea countries.

Key innovations include tools for: habitat and species modelling, ecosystem service identification, coherence assessment, management effectiveness evaluation, socio-economic analysis, strategic area designation, measures prioritization, ocean literacy and public engagement.

These have high replication and upscaling potential. International interest has been received from ICES, IUCN-WCPA and UNEP, which shows there is support for scaling to other regions. Regionally agreed approaches also have high potential to be scaled down to national or local use.