Hitherto, the protection of the North and Baltic Seas has been highly deficient. Although large marine protected areas have been designated for years in some cases, the term is highly elastic: commercial fishing remains permitted in all protected areas, including the Sylter Außenriff and the Nationalpark Wattenmeer. There have been no restrictions on fishing activities, as unequivocal data from Global Fishing Watch documents. Additionally, the controversy surrounding the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel is notable; this project bisects the Fehmarnbelt protected area, destroying critical spawning grounds of the depleted Baltic cod.
Schleswig-Holstein is now shifting its policy. The state government has designated three new protected areas: the Hohwachter Bucht, the Geltinger Bucht spanning from the Flensburger Förde to the mouth of the Schlei, and a large protected area west of Fehmarn.
Particularly noteworthy is that these new protected areas will function as "no-take" zones: no extraction of resources is permitted. This prohibits fishing, hunting, construction projects, resource extraction, and the removal of flora. These regulations are designed to be absolute, without derogations. Marine ecosystems will be left to natural dynamics, providing critical refugia for fish, harbour porpoises, and seabirds through seagrass meadows and reefs. Recreational activities such as swimming, bathing, diving, and shore-based angling remain permitted. Year-round speed limits for vessels are to be introduced to further reduce anthropogenic noise pollution.
The "Aktionsplan Ostseeschutz", adopted two years ago, mandates that 12.5 per cent of the Baltic Sea be designated under the strict protection of "no-take" zones by 2030. With the establishment of these three new protected areas, approximately 7.5 per cent has been achieved.
Although the objectives have not yet been fully realised, a significant step forward has been taken.
