Eutrophication Clean and Clear (en)

Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceStore Strandstræde 18, DK-1255 Copenhagen KDenmarkClean & ClearThe Baltic Sea is a unique ecosystem. An ecosystemto be proud of and to be cared for. A seascape toenjoy and appreciate. An environment to pass on tothe generations to come. It may sound dramatic, butthe harsh truth is that the Baltic Sea is slowly dying.The major offender is the accumulation of nutrientscalled eutrophication. This threat is caused by anincreased input of nitrogen and phosphorus fromdifferent sources, which results in copious quantitiesof algae, an extension of oxygen free areas, and a re-duction in biodiversity. It is no exaggeration to statethat immediate action needs to be taken by parlia-ments and governments, as well as by everyonearound the Baltic. Otherwise we will soon find our-selves unable to swim in the sea we share becauseof the health risks it poses.Normally nutrients are considered good for growth,and the Greek term “eutrophication” means “wellnourished”. However when we are talking of thenutrient enrichment of the Baltic Sea, the ecologicalconsequences of eutrophication is not “good”.Nutrient enrichment can be described as “too muchof a good thing”.This brochure addresses the governments, parlia-ments and regional organisations of the Baltic SeaRegion by introducing 25 recommendations for politi-cal action on the road to a Clean & Clear Baltic Sea.Report from theWorking Groupon Baltic SeaEutrophication August 2007Clear & CleanReport from the Working Group on Baltic Sea Eutrophication. photosAugust 2007 Cover & p. 14 Monika JanssonP. 1 & 15 Johannes JanssonText: Jens Nytoft Rasmussen, Kristine Sprice, Eline Oftedal, P. 2 Nanna BraskGerald Gutzeit P. 3 Nordic PhotosP. 5 PhotoDiscDesign: Kjell OlssonP. 7 & 10 Elvig Hansen/ScanpixPrint: Saloprint as, Copenhagen 2007 P. 8 Lars Gejl/ScanpixCopies: 250 P. 9 Morten Rasmussen/ScanpixP. 11 Lars Havn Eriksen/ScanpixPrinted in Denmark on environmentally friendly paper P. 12–13 PhotoDiscThis publication is also available in the Russian language andboth versions can be downloaded from www.bspc.netMore information can be found in the bspc booklet “Nutri-ents and Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea – Effects, Causes,Solutions”, which is also available at www.bspc.netBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceStore Strandstræde 18DK-1255 Copenhagen KDenmarkPhone: +45 3396 0400Fax: +45 3311 1870www.bspc.netThe Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, bspcThe Parliamentary Conference is a forum for debate and exchange of information between parliamentsand other organisations in the Baltic Sea region; more information available at www.bspc.netMembers of the bspc Eutrophication Working GroupMr. Asmund Kristoffersen, wg Chair, Chairman of Ms. Hanna-Leena Hemming, Vicechair of the Nordicthe Nordic Council Committee of Environment and Council Committee of Environment and NaturalNatural Resources, mp, Norway Resources, mp, Finland (until March 2007)Mr. Indulis Emsis, wg Vicechair, Speaker of the Mr. Donatas Jankauskas, mp, LithuaniaLatvian Parliament, Chair-man of the Baltic Mr. Ivar Kristiansen, mp, NorwayAssembly Environment Protection and Energy Mr. Viktor Shudegov, Chairman of the CommitteeCommittee on Science, Culture, Education, Public Health andMr. Reinhardt Dankert, wg Vicechair, mp, State Ecology of the Council of Federation of the RussianParliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania FederationMr. Küllo Arjakas, mp, Estonia (until August 2006). Ms. Veronica Thörnroos, mp, Aland IslandsReplaced by Mr. Mihhail Lotman, mp, Estonia and Mr. Michal Wojtczak, Senator, mp, Poland (fromMr. Vladimir Velman, mp, Estonia April 2006) replacing Mr. Stanislav Kalemba, mp,Mr. Axel Bernstein, mp, State Parliament of Poland.Schleswig-HolsteinMs. Sinikka Bohlin, mp, Sweden secretariat:Mr. Per Clausen, mp, Denmark Mr. Jens Nytoft Rasmussen, Senior Advisor, MSc.Ms. Christina Gestrin, mp, Finland (from April 2007also representing the Nordic Council)Mr. Vladimir Grachev, Chairman of the EcologyCommittee of the State Duma Federal Assembly ofthe Russian FederationDr. Christel Happach-Kasan, mp, German BundestagIntroductionthe unsatisfactory development of the environment of the BalticSea has been of great concern to the parliamentarians of the Baltic Searegion for many years. After the 2005 situation of extreme algae bloom-ing, including fierce development of the poisonous blue-green algae, theStanding Committee of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference estab-lished a Working Group with the mandate to raise political and publicawareness on the eutrophication issue and to come up with recommen-dations on how to mitigate the current situation directed to the cbss, tohelcom and to the governments of the Baltic Sea countries.The Working Group started in January 2006. During its working proc-ess, the Group has been stimulated by the interest shown to the prob-lem by the cbss and by helcom. The latter is now in the final stage ofdeveloping a comprehensive Baltic Sea Action Plan, bsap. The WorkingGroup has related its work to the activities of the cbss and to the bsap.There are no easy solutions to overcome the Baltic Sea eutrophicationproblem. It is a problem that has built up over several decades and towhich all countries and several sectors have contributed. To turn aroundthe unacceptable situation of today will need firm action now in order toachieve positive results in the years to come. The alternative of doingnothing would on the other hand lead to a catastrophic situation.We are fully aware of our continued parliamentarian responsibility tokeep political and public focus on the problem and we call on the govern-12 clean & clearments of the region to take firm action as fast as possible and to collabo-rate in a spirit of good neighbourliness, commitment and generosity.We are convinced that the bspc Working Group on Eutrophicationrecommendations and suggestions for political initiatives to our govern-ments, as presented in this report, will serve to redress the eutrophica-tion problem so that all citizens can look forward to enjoying a clean andclear Baltic Sea in the future.On behalf of the bspc Working Group on EutrophicationAsmund Kristoffersen, wg ChairmanChairman of the Nordic Council Environment and Natural ResourcesCommittee, mp NorwayIndulis Emsis, wg VicechairmanSpeaker of the Latvian Parliament, Chairman of the Baltic AssemblyEnvironment Protection and Energy CommitteeReinhardt Dankert, wg Vicechairmanmp of the Parliament of Mecklenburg-Western PomeraniaProblems and ActionscontextWith a rise in both the volume and the number of instances of abnor-mal algae growth in many areas of the Baltic Sea, eutrophication is anincreasingly visible phenomenon. Caused by excessive nutrient input ofnitrogen and phosphorous, eutrophication constitutes a serious threatto not only the environment and biodiversity of the Baltic Sea, but also totourism, to fisheries and to recreation in and around the affected waters.A healthy sea is vitally important to all countries in the Baltic Region. Reli-able and durable solutions require extensive co-operation and a commit-ted effort from the Baltic States, all of which contribute to the problem.Not all nutrient input to the Baltic Sea originates from the ripariancountries – considerable water-borne volumes originate from countrieslocated upstream of the rivers that feed the Baltic, while some of theairborne load originates from sources even further afield.34 clean & clearOver the years, governments and research institutions have providedcomprehensive information on the causes and effects of eutrophication.A number of government initiatives in the Baltic Region have previouslyaddressed the issue, but until now the situation has not improved satis-factorily. In November 2006 the eu Parliament adopted the eu Strategyfor the Baltic Sea Region, which includes a number of recommendationson the eutrophication issue, in connection with the eu Common Agricul-tural Policy.The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, helcom, is inthe process of preparing a Baltic Sea Action Plan, bsap, to be releasedat the end of 2007. The plan will address the serious problems posedby eutrophication. The Council of the Baltic Sea States, cbss, is alsoaddressing the issue. A joint statement on initiatives to combat eutrophi-cation was issued by an April 2007 meeting of high-level representativesof the ministries of agriculture and of the environment from all cbssmember countries.In order to address and ameliorate the unacceptable situation wherebythe Baltic Sea suffers from an excess of nutrients such as nitrogen andphosphorus in the water and in the sediment, causing oxygen deficit atthe sea bed, which in turn leads to abnormal algae growth, a major lossof biodiversity, financial losses in the fisheries and the tourism sector,and a reduced quality of outdoor life for everybody concerned, the BalticSea Parliamentary Conference Working Group on Eutrophication recom-mends the following initiatives and measures.clean & clear 5n Generalfor decades it has been known that enrichment of the Baltic Seacaused by plant nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus influences themarine ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. Human activities have let to anaccumulation of nutrients in the water and in the sediment, which con-stitutes one of the most serious problems of the Baltic Sea environment.Over the last 20 years the governments of the region have agreed to anumber of recommendations aiming at reducing the load of nutrients inthe sea. For the eu countries several relevant directives are in place. Tothe extent that this has not yet fully taken place, these obligations mustbe implemented immediately by all countries. Furthermore, it is obviousthat even more initiatives will be needed in order to turn the current situ-ation around. It will be a long–term effort, since the reductions that mightbe introduced in the near future could take years to demonstrate theirpositive effect, due to the internal burden of the sea and the complexityof the eco-system.The main contributors to the nutrient input are agriculture discharge,the discharges from urban waste water, industry and ships, as well asthe airborne nitrogen originating from land and maritime transport andcombustion.Since all countries are part of the problem, all countries also needto take part in the solution. A strong and long-term commitment fromall governments will be a prerequisite if the situation is to be improved.Each country must commit itself to specified reduction targets based onthe objective of getting a clean and clear Baltic Sea, without excessivenutrient loads, without abnormal algae blooms, and with natural oxygenlevels.The helcom and cbss co-operation as well as the eu-Russia coopera-tion will be important fora for the necessary collaboration and negotia-tions. Countries like Belarus, the Czech Republic and Ukraine, that donot border on the Baltic Sea, also contribute to the nutrient load via riv-56 clean & clearers. Co-operation with these countries must be intensified and activitiesrelated to the reduction of the pollution of trans-boundary waters in orderto decrease the pollution load to the Baltic Sea must be developed.it is recommended1. All governments of cbss member states are encouraged immediately to enforceall existing legal commitments aimed at reducing nutrient inputs into the BalticSea.2. The April 2007 meeting in Saltsjöbaden, Sweden, of high-level representativesof the ministries of agriculture and the environment from all cbss membercountries is acknowledged and welcomed. cbss and all its member states areencouraged to follow up on this initiative and arrange further meetings betweenthe ministers of agriculture and the ministers of the environment on a regularbasis, in order to discuss the eutrophication status of the Baltic Sea and amendpolicy accordingly.3. The helcom Baltic Sea Action Plan, bsap, which is based on ecological objec-tives, is welcomed. All governments of the region are strongly urged to supportan ambitious action plan, to commit to the plan, and to implement it fully.4. All governments of cbss member states are urged to develop (or revise existing)national eutrophication-reduction plans before the end of 2009, incorporat-ing detailed information on how the country will achieve bsap targets. For eumember states, the national implementation plan should reflect cohesion andpossible synergies between the bsap and related eu legislation.5. As part of bsap-2007, helcom and the governments are urged to establish andcommit themselves to a set of binding country-by-country and sub-basin-by-sub-basin targets for nutrient reduction, which will need to be achieved withina specified, short time limit, and which will allow each country to make use ofcost-effective solutions.6. h elcom is encouraged to make further assessments of the feasibility of devel-oping an efficient, cost-effective nutrient-quota trade system in the Baltic Seaarea.7. The existing bilateral and trilateral cooperation between some cbss membercountries and non-cbss members in the catchment area (e.g. Belarus andUkraine) is welcomed. cbss and helcom should intensify this communicationwork and seek the active participation of non-helcom and non-cbss countriesin implementing relevant helcom initiatives aimed at reducing eutrophicationin the Baltic Sea.8. The eu members of the cbss should individually and collectively support theadoption of an eu Marine Strategy Directive. In parallel, the Russian governmentis urged to implement strict environmental regulations on waste-water treat-ment, agriculture and other sectors contributing to the Baltic eutrophication.Within the framework of existing co-operation, the cbss should work towardsthe introduction and harmonisation of comprehensive environmental legislationconcerning the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea in non-cbss countries acrossthe whole catchment area – e.g. Belarus and Ukraine.n Agricultureagriculture is the single most important contributor to eutrophica-tion. Together with forestry and scattered settlements it contributes 58%of all waterborne nitrogen and 49% of all phosphorus in the Baltic Sea.Bearing this in mind, it is obvious that the agricultural sector has anoverall responsibility for curbing over-fertilisation, together with theenvironmental sector. As a result, in order to maximise the synergeticeffects, the countries need to integrate agricultural policy with envi-ronmental policy in a more efficient way than they do at present. Put insimple terms, we have to see environmental and agricultural policy asa single entity and not as two stand-alone areas that, in the worst case,counteract each other.In some places efforts to reduce agricultural discharge have beenimplemented, but it is obvious that more needs to be done. As agriculturein the new eu-members states and in Russia is being developed, it isimportant to pay close attention to the prevention of increased nutrientload to the rivers and sea. The same precautions must be taken as Bela-rus sian and Ukrainian agriculture is being modernized. The dischargefrom the highly intensified agriculture of the old member states alsoneeds to be reduced.8 clean & clearIn this respect it is important to introduce environment friendly prac-tices at farm level and to develop new technologies for handling manureand fertilizers. Also structural issues, as, for example, the overall bal-ance between the volume of animal production in comparison with theavailable land and given technology, must been taken seriously intoconsideration.On the path towards a more sustainable agriculture and a healthierBaltic Sea, the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy plays animportant role. For example, its most recent programme requires farm-ers to pay greater attention to the environment. There are opportunitiesit is recommended9. Each country should aim to improve co-ordination of their agricultural policywith their environmental policy in such a way that the policies generate syn-ergy effects and agricultural production policy does not counteract environ-mental policy.10. helcom and the governments are urged to specify actions designed to reducethe input from agriculture, so that such measures may be included in the finalbsap by November 2007.11. All governments should also comprehensively:• promote Best Agricultural Practice (bap) at farm level• promote nutrient-efficient organic farming in the region• promote farming techniques that help to reduce the nutrient output andmotivate farmers to introduce such methods• promote a better balance between animal production and available land.clean & clear 9for making even greater environmental efforts within the framework ofthe eu’s current agricultural policy. However, it is up to the countries toavail themselves of these opportunities for the greater benefit of theBaltic Sea.Together, the Baltic Sea countries should also put forward new pro-posals for environmental measures when the eu evaluates the effect ofthe current cap agreement in 2008.12. The eu member states of the cbss should:• exchange experiences and strive to make the best of the existing oppor-tunities inherent in the Common Agricultural Policy in order to reduce thenutrient contribution from agriculture• secure a full and proper implementation of the eu Industrial Pollution andPrevention Control Directive (ippc) on industrial farms• support the necessary amendments to the eu Common Agricultural Policyto tighten the environmental requirements on farm subsidies – e.g. duringthe ‘cap-health-check’ process – by 2008.T he non-eu member governments of the cbss and the governments in the fullcatchment area are encouraged to implement and reinforce environmentalregulations in the agricultural sector.n Sewage and Waste Waterin many of the baltic sea countries efficient waste water treatmentplants for urban areas have been established. Nevertheless, waste watercontributes 10% of all waterborne nitrogen and 25% of all phosphorus tothe Baltic Sea. Today the biggest eutrophicating load from waste watercomes from St. Petersburg. Improvements have been made, for instancethrough the opening of the South-Western waste water treatment plantin 2005, but still the waste water of approximately 800,000 people goesinto the sea untreated. Other cities along the Russian coast also needproper treatment of waste water. The eu member states must keep up themomentum in their process of implementing the community legislationon sewage water treatment.The contribution made by smaller villages, scattered settlements andindividual farms should be also assessed, and cost-effective technolo-gies should be developed in order to reduce their impact on the overalleutrophication. Through such initiatives a vision of a region where everycitizen contributes to the reduction of nutrient discharge to the sea wouldbe attainable.Many washing detergents contain phosphorus, which – when it endsup in the Baltic Sea – contributes to eutrophication. Detergents free ofphosphorus have been developed, and those are the ones that shouldbe used in the future.clean & clear 11it is recommended13. All governments are urged to establish and maintain an efficient waste-watertreatment system based on the best available technology from all of the localauthorities around the Baltic Sea, and – where relevant – to increase connec-tivity to sewers.14. Governments are encouraged to collaborate in order to assess the feasibilityof potential cost-effective methods of reducing the input from scattered set-tlements and small communities.15. A ll governments are urged, as soon as possible, to forbid the sale and use ofdetergents containing phosphorous.16. T he governments are encouraged to ensure that waste-water treatment plantsand ponds are designed in such a way as to prevent flooding with untreatedwaste water, including during heavy rainfall. Foreseeable changes in the cli-matic conditions across the region should also be taken into consideration.17. The governments are encouraged to allocate adequate administrative andfinancial resources for water-system management, and sufficient provisionfor participation in regional and international co-operation.12 clean & clearn Airborne Nitrogen Emissionsnitrogen oxide originating from maritime and land transport andcombustion also contributes to the eutrophication. So does ammoniafrom agriculture. When the airborne substances become in contact withthe water, they dissolve and act as nutrients. The total airborne load con-tributes 25% of the total nitrogen to the Baltic Sea. 40% of this originatesfrom countries not bordering on the Baltic Sea.It is important to intensify the initiatives to reduce emissions fromland and maritime transport by means of development of better fuel,engines etc. Also possible structural adjustments in terms of, for exam-ple, changing the balance between investments in railways and in roadswould lead to reduced emissions and hence improve the Baltic Sea envi-ronment.12clean & clear 13it is recommended18. All governments and helcom are urged to take initiatives to reduce immedi-ately airborne nitrogen emissions from land-based and sea-based transporta-tion, from combustion processes, and from agriculture in the Baltic Sea area.19. All governments are encouraged to intensify international co-operation on thereduction of long-distance nitrogen emissions through helcom and the eu.14 clean & clearn Shipping and MaritimeActivitiesapart from the airborne emissions, maritime transport also con-tributes to the eutrophication by discharging sewage into the sea. Somelimited regulations in relation to this problem exist as a result of co-op-eration in the International Maritime Organisation, imo. The prevailinglegislation covers bigger vessels and only when they are within a certaindistance from the shore.If the discharge from all boats and ships all over the Baltic Sea werereduced, it would have a positive impact on eutrophication. Psychologi-cally also, the vision that nobody should discharge untreated sewagewater into the sea – whether on land or at sea, whether big or small ves-sels – would be easier to communicate and understand when it appliesto everybody. This policy would need government support, for instancein the field of guaranteeing the establishment of facilities in the harboursof the Baltic Sea to receive the sewage.it is recommended20. The governments and helcom are encouraged to take immediate initiatives toreduce the nutrient input caused by sewage discharge from all kind of vesselsin the Baltic Sea.21. The governments are encouraged to take initiatives to ensure that Baltic Seaports possess facilities to store sewage water from ships.22. All Governments and helcom are urged to influence imo/marpol to intro-duce stricter regulation on waste-water discharge and airborne emissions fromships in the Baltic Sea.clean & clear 15n Public Awareness, Research &Developmenta successful addressing and amelioration of the Baltic Sea situ-ation will need policies, planning and legislation. But eutrophication isvery much about the behaviour and habits of the people in the Baltic Seacountries. Hence campaigns of awareness and support of demonstrationprojects, as well as research and development of new technologies, areof the utmost importance. The governments should establish partner-ships with communities, NGOs, industries, schools, universities etc. Suc-cessful ideas and initiatives should be spread to others to be adaptedand further developed.The countries must agree on a standardised, comprehensive moni-toring system that they all refer to. The development of the eutrophi-cation level in the various sub-basins of the Baltic Sea must be moni-tored, reported and discussed. The policies and actions plans must beassessed based on the monitoring results and adjusted in accordancewith the prevailing situation.1516 clean & clearit is recommended23. The governments – in collaboration with interested universities,schools, business associations and civil organisations – are encour-aged to:• generate awareness of eutrophication problems among localauthorities, industries, farmers, rural communities, ship own-ers, tourists and the general public. An important aim should beto stimulate a shift in personal behaviour and to increase accept-ance of the requisite environmental measures.• establish and fund demonstration projects for new technolo-gies and systems designed to reduce the nutrient output – e.g.means of reducing nutrient discharge from agriculture, small-scale waste-water treatment plants and sewage-water receptionfacilities in ports, the re-organisation of land-based and maritimetransport, etc.• promote the systematic export of successful initiatives, demon-stration projects and methods developed in one country in thefields of agriculture, remote and sparsely populated settlements,local authorities, shipping and industry, to all of the other coun-tries in the catchment area. The feasibility of success in othercountries should be assessed, and positive experiences publi-cised as widely as possible.24. The governments are encouraged to establish regional and nationalresearch programmes in order to stimulate the development of newand improved technologies, solutions and recommendations aimedat reducing eutrophication in the Baltic Sea, and in doing so providevaluable background information for political decisions as well asfor private and public investments.25. The mare modelling system – a decision-support system that linksecological targets with human activity and with assessments ofscenarios for cost-effective political responses – is welcomed. Thegovernments are urged to refine the system to facilitate calcula-tions of, for example, the potential reductions as a result of specificagricultural regulations.Clear & CleanReport from the Working Group on Baltic Sea Eutrophication. photosAugust 2007 Cover & p. 14 Monika JanssonP. 1 & 15 Johannes JanssonText: Jens Nytoft Rasmussen, Kristine Sprice, Eline Oftedal, P. 2 Nanna BraskGerald Gutzeit P. 3 Nordic PhotosP. 5 PhotoDiscDesign: Kjell OlssonP. 7 & 10 Elvig Hansen/ScanpixPrint: Saloprint as, Copenhagen 2007 P. 8 Lars Gejl/ScanpixCopies: 250 P. 9 Morten Rasmussen/ScanpixP. 11 Lars Havn Eriksen/ScanpixPrinted in Denmark on environmentally friendly paper P. 12–13 PhotoDiscThis publication is also available in the Russian language andboth versions can be downloaded from www.bspc.netMore information can be found in the bspc booklet “Nutri-ents and Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea – Effects, Causes,Solutions”, which is also available at www.bspc.netBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceStore Strandstræde 18DK-1255 Copenhagen KDenmarkPhone: +45 3396 0400Fax: +45 3311 1870www.bspc.netThe Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference, bspcThe Parliamentary Conference is a forum for debate and exchange of information between parliamentsand other organisations in the Baltic Sea region; more information available at www.bspc.netMembers of the bspc Eutrophication Working GroupMr. Asmund Kristoffersen, wg Chair, Chairman of Ms. Hanna-Leena Hemming, Vicechair of the Nordicthe Nordic Council Committee of Environment and Council Committee of Environment and NaturalNatural Resources, mp, Norway Resources, mp, Finland (until March 2007)Mr. Indulis Emsis, wg Vicechair, Speaker of the Mr. Donatas Jankauskas, mp, LithuaniaLatvian Parliament, Chair-man of the Baltic Mr. Ivar Kristiansen, mp, NorwayAssembly Environment Protection and Energy Mr. Viktor Shudegov, Chairman of the CommitteeCommittee on Science, Culture, Education, Public Health andMr. Reinhardt Dankert, wg Vicechair, mp, State Ecology of the Council of Federation of the RussianParliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania FederationMr. Küllo Arjakas, mp, Estonia (until August 2006). Ms. Veronica Thörnroos, mp, Aland IslandsReplaced by Mr. Mihhail Lotman, mp, Estonia and Mr. Michal Wojtczak, Senator, mp, Poland (fromMr. Vladimir Velman, mp, Estonia April 2006) replacing Mr. Stanislav Kalemba, mp,Mr. Axel Bernstein, mp, State Parliament of Poland.Schleswig-HolsteinMs. Sinikka Bohlin, mp, Sweden secretariat:Mr. Per Clausen, mp, Denmark Mr. Jens Nytoft Rasmussen, Senior Advisor, MSc.Ms. Christina Gestrin, mp, Finland (from April 2007also representing the Nordic Council)Mr. Vladimir Grachev, Chairman of the EcologyCommittee of the State Duma Federal Assembly ofthe Russian FederationDr. Christel Happach-Kasan, mp, German BundestagBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceStore Strandstræde 18, DK-1255 Copenhagen KDenmarkClean & ClearThe Baltic Sea is a unique ecosystem. An ecosystemto be proud of and to be cared for. A seascape toenjoy and appreciate. An environment to pass on tothe generations to come. It may sound dramatic, butthe harsh truth is that the Baltic Sea is slowly dying.The major offender is the accumulation of nutrientscalled eutrophication. This threat is caused by anincreased input of nitrogen and phosphorus fromdifferent sources, which results in copious quantitiesof algae, an extension of oxygen free areas, and a re-duction in biodiversity. It is no exaggeration to statethat immediate action needs to be taken by parlia-ments and governments, as well as by everyonearound the Baltic. Otherwise we will soon find our-selves unable to swim in the sea we share becauseof the health risks it poses.Normally nutrients are considered good for growth,and the Greek term “eutrophication” means “wellnourished”. However when we are talking of thenutrient enrichment of the Baltic Sea, the ecologicalconsequences of eutrophication is not “good”.Nutrient enrichment can be described as “too muchof a good thing”.This brochure addresses the governments, parlia-ments and regional organisations of the Baltic SeaRegion by introducing 25 recommendations for politi-cal action on the road to a Clean & Clear Baltic Sea.Report from theWorking Groupon Baltic SeaEutrophication August 2007