WP6: Management

Marine protection in the Baltic Sea does not stop at national borders. 

The sea is shared, and so is the responsibility for keeping it healthy. A core part of the project is to strengthen cooperation between countries by bringing together scientists, managers, and policymakers to align approaches and share experience.

This happens through the annual MPA Managers’ Network meetings. These gatherings give practitioners a space to connect across borders, discuss challenges, and exchange practical solutions. From enforcement strategies and stakeholder engagement to new management and monitoring methods, the meetings are where knowledge moves from one country to another, ensuring that lessons learned in one place can benefit the whole region.

By linking scientific insights with everyday management practice, the project is building a regional community of practice that supports those working on the ground.

Ultimately, management is only successful if it makes a difference—if MPAs deliver the ecological and social outcomes they were designed for. 

The project addresses this by pairing assessments of management effectiveness with the development of practical tools and guidelines. This allows managers to see what is working, where gaps remain, and how efforts can be strengthened.

The result will be a Baltic MPA network that is not just formally designated but also actively managed and accountable. Stronger management will safeguard biodiversity, support ecosystem services, and provide lasting benefits for the people and communities who depend on the sea. 

In this way, the project can help to ensure that political commitments translate into living, thriving areas of protection.