Seabased Measures in Baltic Sea Nutrient Management

Although nutrient load from land-based sources to the sea has been reduced significantly over the years, good ecological status has not been reached partly due to the large amount of internal loading from the bottom sediments. Moreover, fulfilling the nutrient reductions agreed in the HELCOM BSAP seems challenging for many countries such as Sweden and Finland. Therefore, both Finnish and Swedish governments have decided to include seabased measures in their Baltic Sea protection policy (MSFD and governmental programs). As local authorities are currently also lacking effective means to improve water quality in coastal and semi-enclosed sea areas where the traditional land-based measures are not sufficient, there is a growing demand for applying seabased measures. Scientists have proposed various seabased measures for the Baltic Sea. However, comprehensive information with regards impacts, costs, risks, applicability and financing of the different measures is currently lacking.

The project aims at reducing nutrients from the Baltic Sea and at improving water quality, especially in coastal areas, by piloting and developing seabased activities. As an added benefit, some of these measures enable nutrient recycling and circular economy.
 
The project will pilot several promising measures, such as 1) recycling nutrients from bottom sediments or nutrient-rich bottom waters for further use on land, 2) recycling nutrients on land in the form of fish such as stickleback, 3) applying various nutrient binding materials to sediments. Moreover, the project aims at facilitating an open, multi-disciplinary and cross-sector dialogue on benefits and risks of seabased measures and their applicability in Baltic Sea context.
As a result, the project will develop the concept of Marine Habitat Bank for local water quality improvement and ecosystem restoration measures; and Practical Guidelines on Seabased measures in the Baltic Sea.