The health of the North East Atlantic
and Baltic Sea in critical condition



23 June 2003

Bremen, Germany - A new WWF report launched today at the opening of the OSPAR-HELCOM Conference in Bremen, Germany, shows that the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic and Baltic Sea is severely degraded, with many marine wildlife populations in decline, commercial fish stocks outside of safe biological limits, and many degraded and destroyed habitats.

The report - North East Atlantic and Baltic Sea Health Check - suggests that the most persistent and pressing threats to the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea are the use of certain fishing gear that directly damages habitats and species; pollution by hazardous substances, including chemicals, radioactive materials, and oil; increased nutrient load leading to eutrophication, particularly in coastal waters and the Baltic Sea; and potential effects of climate change. According to the study, three root causes have been insufficiently addressed for a considerable length of time: lack of protection for habitats and wildlife; lack of management response to the demands being placed on wildlife and habitats; and the lack of knowledge or understanding of marine ecosystems. Therefore, WWF is calling on the Environment Ministers of the HELCOM and OSPAR countries to take the urgent measures needed to deliver long-term conservation of valuable habitats and species.

"Three decades after the OSPAR and Helsinki conventions came into existence, it is disappointing that these primary root causes of the deteriorating health of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea remain," said Stephan Lutter, International Marine Policy Officer at WWF's North-East Atlantic Programme.

The new report also provides a summary of the status and management needs of 22 typical habitats present in the area, and species chosen from a variety of levels on the marine food chain. It shows that all of the habitats assessed, apart from mussel banks, appear to be in decline. Even in unusual cases when some species populations have increased, this is the result of poor management practices. For example, the fulmar population (a sea bird) is thought to have increased due to increased availability of food from the wasteful practice of discarding fish and fish offal at sea.

WWF believes it is time for the Environment Ministers of the HELCOM and OSPAR countries to introduce an ecosystem approach to management of human activities. This includes developing a shared vision and objectives for the future of the North-East Atlantic and Baltic Sea; undertaking strategic assessments of the biodiversity and socio-economic needs affecting the maritime areas; implementing networks of marine protected areas; introducing spatial planning for the myriad activities and developments taking place in the marine environment, and particularly in the coastal zone; ensuring strong research programmes; improving and strengthening regulation, management actions, and enforcement; and implementing already existing instruments, strategies and targets to eliminate hazardous and radioactive substances, reduce oil pollution and nutrient load, and protect species, habitats, and ecosystems.

"The results of WWF’s Health Check report demonstrate that there is a long way to go before it is possible to believe that the ecosystems of the North-East Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea will one day be healthy," added Stephan Lutter.

For further information:
Olivier van Bogaert, WWF-International, tel: +41 22 364 9554
Stephan Lutter, WWF Germany, tel: +49 421 6584622 or +49 171 5487312

Resources:

Download WWF's report
as PDF file (596 KB)

More:

* Facts about the OSPAR-HELCOM Ministerial Meeting (23-27 June) in Bremen

* WWF's Essentials for the OSPAR and HELCOM Ministerial Meeting (download as PDF file)

* WWF's briefings and reports to the OSPAR and HELCOM Ministerial Meeting