Small but mighty: the Baltic Sea as a catalyst for transformative change in scalable marine protection

Though modest in size, the Baltic Sea holds immense potential in the global push to protect marine ecosystems. As one of the most impacted marine environments on the planet, it has emerged as a beacon of transboundary governance and cooperation. Coupled with a wealth of marine data, the region serves as a powerful test case for other areas and regions—demonstrating how science and knowledge can concretely translate into policy, and policy into impactful action. Sounds great, but the key question remains: how does it work in reality?

Under the umbrella of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Under Water, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) has committed to establishing a resilient, regionally coherent, and effectively managed network of marine protected areas (MPAs). This commitment forms the foundation of a groundbreaking approach to marine protection.

Through PROTECT BALTIC and under the umbrella of the HELCOM Regional Sea Convention, eight Baltic Sea countries have united to pioneer a new approach to protection—one that transcends both borders and scale. By adopting a holistic approach to protection and integrating scientific insights and ecological principles across planning, designation, governance, and management, these countries are working together across the region to maximize protection efforts and reverse the decline in biodiversity.

This collaborative model highlights how the Baltic Sea's governance framework is not only shaping regional marine protection efforts but also scaling up international efforts and shaping global approaches. Equally important, however, is the need to scale down to ensure that marine protection is effective at local and national levels. This multi-scale approach ensures solutions that are both impactful and responsive to local needs.

The ripple effects of this work are already being felt beyond the Baltic with the governance approach proving to be a scalable model for international marine protection, offering valuable lessons for other regions facing similar challenges.

PROTECT BALTIC presents a flexible, adaptive framework that integrates marine protection across all levels of governance.

This virtual session will explore how a structured, strategic approach to marine protection can serve as a catalyst for transformative change. By sharing real-world examples of how the protection optimization framework used in PROTECT BALTIC has accelerated marine protection efforts in other regions, we will demonstrate its pivotal role in driving large-scale governance transformation and inspiring action worldwide.

Details

Fri, 1 August 2025

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM GMT+3

Online event

Speakers

Jannica Haldin - HELCOM

Jannica Haldin can look back on over 10 000 hours or marine fieldwork and 15 years of experience in international environmental diplomacy and policy, focusing on marine governance, biodiversity, conservation, status assessment, sustainable fisheries and climate change. Working closely with ministries, sectors and international organizations, including the European Commission, CBD, ICES, IUCN, UNESCO and UNEP, has allowed her to represent the Baltic Sea from the local to the global stage.

At HELCOM she has led the most comprehensive status assessment ever undertaken for the region, pioneered the regional Climate Change Fact Sheet, and coordinated the Baltic Sea Action Plan update. As a Special Advisor, she is currently spearheading PROTECT BALTIC - the largest project in HELCOM's history.

Jenny Hertzman - SWaM

Jenny Hertzman began her marine conservation journey in 2008 by creating Sweden’s first snorkelling trail to spark public interest in life below water. She now works as an Expert in the International Development Unit at the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM). She is also a partner in the PROTECT BALTIC project, focusing on building ecologically coherent networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Sweden and the Baltic Sea.

Her work extends globally, supporting MPA development and sustainable ocean use in the Western Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, where she contributes to poverty reduction through marine resource management. Jenny combines science, policy, and public engagement to strengthen marine resilience and safeguard biodiversity for future generations.

Vita Gardauskė - VSTT

Vita Gardaūskė is a marine protection expert at the State Service for Protected Areas under the Ministry of Environment in Lithuania, and a partner in the PROTECT BALTIC project, contributing to national marine policy, including the Nature Restoration Law. A PhD candidate in Physical Geography at Klaipėda University, she holds a master’s in Oceanography and has trained in Ocean Governance.

Vita assesses Environmental Impact Assessments and bridges science, policy, and practice in marine conservation. A passionate diver and freediver, she engages in Mediterranean clean-ups and wildlife rescue. Through both advocacy and hands-on work, Vita is dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems and raising awareness of ocean health and biodiversity.

Gunilla Rosenqvist - Blue Centre Gotland

Gunilla Rosenqvist is Professor of Behavioural Ecology and Project Leader of Blue Centre Gotland, a collaboration between Uppsala University, the Region of Gotland, and the County Administration Board of Gotland, focusing on water-related issues from land to sea.

She also serves as Head of the Ar Research Station on Gotland. Her research primarily explores fish behaviour and how environmental changes impact aquatic animals, contributing to a broader understanding of ecosystem responses to human and climate-driven pressures.

Oliver Wilson - Marine Institute Ireland

Oliver Wilson is Programmes Manager for BlueMissionAA at the Marine Institute Ireland, where he leads governance and implementation (WP1) for the Atlantic and Arctic. He also supports the Atlantic Strategy’s Pillar IV: Healthy Ocean and Resilient Coasts, promoting effective governance, stakeholder collaboration, and pragmatic, future-focused solutions.

Originally from the UK, Oliver began his career as a marine environmental consultant at the Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG), a UK-based firm specializing in sustainable aquatic resource management. From 2011, he worked in New Zealand in research and policy roles across government and industry. Most recently, he was Director of Sustainable Horizons Ltd., advising on sustainable fisheries and resilient marine systems.