Baltic MPAs - Marine protected areas in the Eastern Baltic Sea

The overall project objective was to secure the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the Eastern Baltic Sea (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). The project completed the establishment of Natura 2000 in the marine territories of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (site selection, designation, protection rules and management plans). Furthermore, it assessed and reduced the impact of fishery by-catch on target bird and mammal species, for example the Steller Eider (Polysticta stelleri). The project also addressed other threats to marine Natura 2000 sites such as construction developments, economic or recreational activities and pollution. The web-based portal provides with information about the project, the marine territories and their biological values as well as interactive tools for different stakeholders. Finally, it promoted transboundary networking and capacity building on marine protected areas between the Baltic States, other EU Member States and Russia.