Ecosystem based marine management means defining the objectives and mapping the ecosystems, the activities and the impact that exist in the area. This measure aims to develop and implement the working method at local level for these deliveries but even establish a scheme to involve respective stakeholders in the area to assist in the definition of goals and implementation of measures to achieve these goals. The measure is a complement to measures whose purpose is to improve a specific ecosystem component or limit an individual impact/activity. Regional cooperation In order to apply a holistic perspective of ecosystem-based marine management, many pressures and activities that affect ecosystem components may need to be addressed internationally. Optimally, this coordination can take place within relevant working groups and committees in the regional sea conventions, Ospar and Helcom. Moreover, actions in Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, are in line with activities in this measure, (e.g. measure HT 12).

This measure aims to establish management councils for marine protected areas in Swedish sea areas in order to achieve good environmental status for e.g. marine mammals, birds, fish and benthic habitats. It aims to ensure the coordination between administrative authorities to contribute to a stronger network of protected areas. Regional cooperation A coherent network of protected areas in the Baltic Sea region and the North Sea can only be achieved through cooperation with neighbouring countries. Therefore, it is important that work within this measure is coordinated with relevant working groups and committees within both Helcom and Ospar. Moreover, several measures in Helcom's Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, concern the management of marine protected areas and a coherent network (including measures B3, B6).

The measure aims to ensure a holistic and coordinated marine planning within the municipal and regional planning, especially in the coastal zone, and ensure that the planning contributes to environmental targets in the marine environment. Within the measure, a continuously follow-up, support and guidance will be developed to municipalities and regions in their work with sea and coastal planning. Support and guidance can also contribute to increased municipal and regional sea and coastal planning. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The measure initially included the preparation of a guide for municipal sea and coastal planning in accordance with the Planning and Building Act. The guide was published in 2018. The key changes of the measure implies that it now includes a continued follow-up of how the guide is used, if it provides sufficient support, and to develop further support and guidance for municipal and regional marine planning. Regional coordination: Both Helcom and Ospar recommendations (e.g. concerning threatened species and habitats, bird habitat and migration routes when establishing wind and wave energy and how this should be considered in environmental assessment / environmental impact assessments) are relevant to take into account implementing the measure.

The measure aims to develop methods for control and reduction measures of certain invasive alien species. To keep an established species or newly introduced species under control or to locally combat stocks in selected environments, is important in order to reach the related environmental target but also descriptor 2. Experiences of such measures have so far been limited.

The North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy (NEAES) 2030 was adopted in 2021 by OSPAR Contracting Parties. The strategy is the means by which OSPAR’s 16 Contracting Parties will implement the OSPAR Convention until 2030 and sets out collective objectives to tackle the challenges facing the ocean; The strategic objectives set out OSPAR’s overarching goals on eutrophication, hazardous substances, radioactive substances, marine litter, protection, conservation and restoration of species and habitats, sustainable use of the marine environment, underwater noise, protecting the seabed, and climate change and ocean acidification. The operational objectives set qualitative and quantitative targets to support achievement of the strategic objectives.

OSPAR developed a Joint Documentation on Coordination of Measures (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) to highlight where there is existing or possible coherence, coordination and cooperation. Thus, the document does not include direct measures. Hence, the response “not known” chosen for the field Measure Purpose.

The purpose of the measure is to develop technical tools in order to improve the availability and quality of information on alien species, as reliable and accessible information is important for the authorities' work in planning and implementing measures to prevent or reduce damage from alien species. Easily accessible information also increases the knowledge of the public, industry and stakeholders and is necessary to get their support, to follow regulations, to get help with reporting on the occurrence of alien species and help with eradication. The information in the technical tools should therefore be regularly updated and supplemented, as well as simplified in order to reach a larger target group.

Authorities need to become aware of new findings of alien species quickly, e.g. in order to be able to take measures to combat them if necessary. This is a key factor in meeting relevant environmental target and descriptor 2. In Sweden, there has been a lack of overarching framework for this and therefore, a national warning and response system will be developed to gather information to relevant authorities immediately when an alien invasive species is detected. In addition, contingency and management plans need to be developed for species that contain information such as routes of transmission, control measures and division of responsibilities, which is a prerequisite for rapid action on the alien species that constitute or is expected to pose a significant risk to genetic and biological diversity. Within the measure a total of 20 stations to detect invasive alien species have been selected using a risk model for the introduction of marine species. Monitoring will be carried at these stations during a six-year management cycle. An ongoing collaboration between concerned authorities within the project 'Digital IAS' is aiming to streamline response to detection and ensure high data quality. Moreover, there is an ongoing work to develop and produce information and knowledge for management and contingency plans for invasive alien species.

The measure is implemented in order to protect particularly threatened stocks that spawn in coastal waters. Consequently, regulations should be introduced in areas where locally spawning stocks and important functional groups of coastal fish are weak. These unique stocks are extremely biologically valuable and to ensure their recovery are required. Biological data from relevant areas will be obtained from various sources, e.g. Department of Aquatic Resources at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU and the County Administrative Boards.

The measure aims to introduce new fishing regulations to promote more selective fishing in coastal waters in order not to jeopardize the chances of recovery of endangered coastal spawning stocks due to their being caught in fishing for other species. Thus, measures should be taken to minimize the risk of undesirable fishing mortality due to by-catch, regulations aimed at more size-selective fishing should also be considered. The measure should be taken where stocks of key species and important functional groups of coastal fish are weak and there is a risk of by-catch of other species.

For stocks in weak status, but which are judged to withstand certain fisheries, fishing regulations may be needed that limit the negative effects of fishing on such stocks. Measures should be taken to protect stocks of key species and important functional groups of coastal fish where these are particularly weak. For example, catch restrictions in the form of bag limits (limitation of the number of fish that an individual may take home at a fishing opportunity) should be considered for recreational fishing for relevant species. Restrictions should also be considered for commercial fishing.

With support of data from the County Administrative Boards, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management introduces protected areas that include important spawning, growth and migration areas for key species of coastal fish where it is appropriate to introduce protected areas.

The measure aims to investigate and introduce general fishing closures for coastal species during particularly sensitive periods in areas where stocks of key species and important functional groups of coastal fish are weak and exploitation pressure is high. These are mainly areas where fish are spawning, but in some cases protection all year round can be justified. The protection must include both commercial fishing and recreational fishing.

The measure aims to overcome certain imbalance in the form of over-establishment in certain segments of the Swedish fleet. Such an over-establishment entails reduced profitability, inefficient fishing with increased environmental impact and a risk of reduced regulatory compliance.

The purpose of the measure is to provide guidance on how changes in hydrographic conditions affect biodiversity and ecosystems, this will contributes to a better basis for decision-making when examining activities or large scale projects that may lead to large-scale hydrographic effects. Today, there is little guidance on how the hydrographic impact of activities / projects should be described in an environmental impact statement (EIA). A good description enables an assessment of the impact and reduces the risk of permits being granted to activities that may give rise to large-scale hydrographic impacts that may affect e.g. biodiversity and ecosystems negatively. An interim guidance have been produced, but since there is deemed to be more potential to the measure, the work go continues to also develop a more rigorous guidance. The measure is therefore not yet fully implemented.

The measure shall develop a guide for cleaning ship hulls. The guide shall describes how supervisory authorities (municipalities, County Administrative Boards) will conduct their supervision of the activity. It will also include guidelines on what requirements are to be set for filtration and disposal of biological fouling, requirements for technology to minimize the spread of hazardous substances during the activity and requirements for environmentally friendly disposal of the collected material from the cleaning. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. Modification of the measure implies that the measure now is focused on the disposal of hazardous substances and biological growth on ship hulls, hulls of recreational boats are included in ÅPH 17. Therefore, the measure is no longer linked to the environmental target B.2. Regional coordination: Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes similar measure on sustainable technologies against hull growth (e.g. measure S9), coordination in implementation will be sought where relevant.

The measure includes several activities to reduce the spread of contaminants from recreational boats. This includes investigating the reason for the continued spread of TBT and other hazardous substances from soil and sediments, investigate the need for further regulation and work to establish relevant regulations to address this. The measure also aims to establish guidelines with regard to hull cleaning and other maintenance activities of leisure boats, this is done in order to prevent the spread of TBT and others hazardous substances to the marine environment, but also introduction and spread of (invasive) alien species and micro plastic. Based on this, inspection guidelines should be developed. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that the measure focuses on investigating the cause of continued supply of tributyltin (TBT) and other hazardous substances and the need for further regulation in relation to land and sediment in connection with recreational boat use. Another change is that the measure will develop guidelines for hull maintenance of recreational boats to prevent the spread of TBT, other dangerous substances and alien species. Regional coordination: Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes similar measure on biocides on recreational boats (e.g. measure HL29), coordination in implementation will be sought if relevant.

The overall purpose of the measure is to identify and, in the long term, regulate hazardous substances that are released from treatment plants in such quantities that they risk affecting the marine environment negatively. Through this, the measure contributes to a more uniform and substantiated assessment of the current impact from sewage treatment plants on the aquatic environment and the need for action.

All authorities and municipalities with implementation responsibilities for measures in the Swedish MSFD Programme of Measures, need to annually report on the progress of implementation of measures to the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. The reporting mainly relates to the status of the implementation of the measures (activity follow-up), cost follow-up and if relevant, the effect of the measure. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that information on reporting process is clarified and includes follow-up dialogues but also that implementation plans are going to be developed under each measure in the Swedish programmes of measure.

The purpose of the measure is to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive non-indigenous species in marine protected areas through human activity, as well as to limit the spread of invasive non-indigenous species to adjacent areas and sea basins.

This measure aims to minimise the environmental impact from shipping in four areas: ii) Minimize leakage of mineral oil (as lubricant oil) from ship stern tubes. iii) Limit PFAS in fire-fighting foam and minimize use in tests and fire drills at sea. iiii) Restriction on shipping to release hazardous substances in scrubber water. (iiv) Limitation of emissions of cargo residues with a negative environmental impact in the Baltic Sea. Regional cooperation: Similar measures are included in Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP (e.g. measures HL28, S16) and also planned within the framework of Finland’s PoM. Co-operation in the implementation of the measures will be sought if relevant.

There is currently no function to provide ecotoxicological and marine biological expertise to affected municipalities in case of a major oil spill or similar pollution accident. As this is a very rare event, limited knowledge exists among the municipalities. This measure aims to provide expert support that; have knowledge of and can explain the environmental impact of different types of oils, can provide advice on environmental priorities at sea and on land in the event of minor or major oil accidents, as well as understanding contingency planning, rescue services operations and remediation methods. This will guide responders to minimise environmental impacts from oil spills, response, and clean-up. Regional cooperation Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes similar measure (e.g. measure S30).

At elevated levels, the substances copper and zinc are toxic to aquatic organisms. This measure aims to reduce the use of anti-fouling paints on leisure boats through work both within the EU and nationally. It is specifically aimed at reducing the impact of copper and zinc. Regional cooperation: Similar measures are included in Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, related to biocide-containing boat bottom paints, also for recreational boats (e.g. measures HL29) and also planned within the framework of Finland’s PoM. Co-operation in the implementation of the measures will be sought if relevant.

The aim of this measure is to reduce the input of hazardous substances from human activities until it does not cause levels that prevent good environmental status from being achieved. There is therefore a need for an active phase-out process or ban of two-stroke engines with carburettors on leisure boats, which will lead to a significant reduction in the input of uncombusted fuel (including PAHs) to the marine environment. Regional cooperation: Several actions in Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, are in line with activities in this measure, (e.g. measure S13 and S24),

Regulates input and or spread of non-indigenous species from aquaculture. It aims to create rules on aquaculture practices to ensure adequate protection of the aquatic environment from the risks associated with the use of non-native species and locally absent species in aquaculture.

Regulates input and or spread of non-indigenous species. The regulation 1143/2014 aims to control or eradicate priority species, and to manage pathways to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS; it applies to species considered of Union concern and subject to formal risk assessment.

This regulation contains provisions on invasive alien species and complements the Regulation 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. According to the regulation, the authorities are tasked with carrying out risk assessments, taking measures on species' dispersal routes and establishing monitoring systems, and according to the EU regulation, notifying and informing when an invasive species is detected. The authorities are also given the opportunity to authorize certain handling for species on the Union list and to propose emergency measures. For species with a large distribution, where extinction is not possible, the authorities must develop management measures.

Regulates input and or spread of non-indigenous specie. The regulation 1143/2014 aims to control or eradicate priority species, and to manage pathways to prevent the introduction and establishment of new IAS; it applies to species considered of Union concern and subject to formal risk assessment. So far, 49 species have been listed but the criteria for selecting species for risk assessment have not been disclosed and were probably unsystematic. Within three years of the adoption of the Union list, each Member State shall establish and implement one single action plan or a set of action plans to address the priority pathways it has identified. Sweden's first edition of the action plan was established in 2019, and is limited to the 49 Union species as well as three aquatic species of national importance, and an analysis of their distribution routes, with some additions for aquatic transmission routes.

From 8 September 2017, ships must manage their ballast water so that aquatic organisms and pathogens are removed or rendered harmless before the ballast water is released into a new location. This will help prevent the spread of invasive species as well as potentially harmful pathogens.

EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), includes various regulations and is the mechanism and set of rules through which European fishing fleets and fish stocks are managed. It applies to all member states and is based on four policy areas: fisheries management, International policy and co-operation, market and trade policy and funding. It gives all European fishing fleets equal access to EU waters to create fair competition. It aims to ensure that European fishing is sustainable, balancing the desire to maximise catches with conserving fish stocks. The CFP largely only cover commercial fishing, consisting of various regulations e.g.: Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy REGULATION (EU) No 1380/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999 Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 establishing a multiannual plan for the stocks of cod, herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2187/2005 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 Regulation (EU) 2018/973 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 establishing a multiannual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, specifying details of the implementation of the landing obligation in the North Sea and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 676/2007 and (EC) No 1342/2008

The ordinance concerns the protection of specific types of areas under Chapter 7 of the Environmental Code, certain protection measures are taken under Chapter 12 of the Code. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency shall have the national responsibility for area protection. However, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management is the main authority for water protection areas and the provide guidance for site protection for the conservation of marine or aquatic environments or groundwater. This ordinance further mainly assigns duties of administration of the areas to the County Administrative Boards and municipalities and provides with respect to consultations between local authorities and other procedural matters.

This Act applies to the right to fish in the Swedish Sea Territory and the Swedish EEZ. Certain provisions apply also to fishing by Swedish vessels outside of the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (sect. 1). Sections 8 to 11 define fishing rights of Swedish citizens. Section 16 concerns fishing rights on privately owned land. Sections 19 to 25 define the regulation making powers of the Government in relation to management and conservation of fisheries. Sections 28 and 29 concern repopulating of fish and fish breeding. Sections 30 to 32 concern professional fishing licences. Remaining provisions of this Act deal with international fishing control (sect. 33), internal control of fishing (sect. 34) and prescribe offences (sect. 37 and following), and regulate matters of miscellaneous nature.

National implementation of EU's Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. The Ordinance made under section 10 of Chapter 4 of the Swedish Environmental Code, concerns sea plans. Sea plans shall be prepared for specified areas and a proposal for a plan shall contain 1. a map that accounts a) the basic features of the use of the sea area; b) the areas within the marine area that are of national interest according to Chapter 3 of the Environmental Code, and c) other general interests of major importance; and 2. a plan description that should a) indicate the direction of use of the marine area; b) state and describe the areas within the marine area that are of national interest according to Chapter 3 of the Environmental Code c) account for other general interests of significant importance, the current use of the marine area and the planning conditions in general that the plan takes into account, d) account for the considerations underlying the plan; e) indicate how issues of incompatible purposes should be resolved, and f) clearly present the meaning and consequences of the use of the marine area according to the plan. The plans have been prepared by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management in collaboration with specified public bodies. In its work on proposals for sea plans, the Agency shall apply an ecosystem approach. The plans were adopted by the Swedish Government in February 2022.

This Act contains provisions on the planning of land, water and construction. The purpose of these provisions is to promote community development and sustainable living environment. The Act regulates urban and rural landscape planning in municipalities, safeguarding cultural sites, management of energy, water, climate, waste, transport and hygiene conditions. Land Reserve and public places: zoning municipalities may determine land reserves allocated for road (traffic and transport) and energy (network and cabling) activities. It may also revoke coastlines by implementing provisions set by the Environmental Code and Environmental Act.

This Regulation concerns environmental impact assessment as prescribed by Chapter 6 of the Environmental Code. A significant environmental impact assessment shall be carried out in accordance with section 3 of the Code. The implementation of plans, programmes or amendments of those may include an activity or measure that requires authorization pursuant to Chapter 7 § 28 of the Code. It applies to public planning and measures and private sector projects. A plan, programme or amendment indicates the conditions for conducting such activities or taking such measures as are specified in section 6 or the Annex to this Regulation. These include for example: an action programme (according to Chapter 5, Section 8 of the Environmental Code), a waste plan (according to Chapter 15, Section 41 of the Environmental Code), an overview plan (according to the Planning and Building Act 2010: 900), a marine plan according to the Marine Planning Regulation (2015:400), or another plan or program relating to agriculture, forestry, fishing, energy, industry, transport, regional development, waste management, water management, telecommunications, tourism, land-use planning or land use in accordance with Regulation (2018: 2105). The Regulation sets out the criteria for judging whether an activity shall be subject to an environmental impact procedure by county administrative boards and specifies rules for such procedure (including public consultation). It further elaborates if and how an EIA must be carried out. EIA shall be carried out for projects involving water resources. It also provides for assessment of transboundary effects.

About 150 of the 1000 species listed in the EU Species and Habitats Directive can be found in Sweden. Together with the EU Birds Directive, more than 1,000 species and more than 200 habitats are covered by the two directives that have been created to stop the extinction of wild plants and animals and to prevent their habitats from being destroyed. Species are covered by the provisions of the Species Protection Ordinance (2007: 845). Sweden has a responsibility to ensure that these species achieve favourable conservation status, which can be done, for example, through the protection of its habitats or protection.

The environmental quality objectives describe the quality of the environment that Sweden wishes to achieve. There are 16 of objectives covering different areas – from unpolluted air and lakes free from eutrophication and acidification, to functioning forest and farmland ecosystems. For each objective there are a number of 'specifications', clarifying the state of the environment to be attained. The objectives are: Reduced Climate Impact, Clean Air, Natural Acidification Only, A Non-Toxic Environment, A Protective Ozone Layer, A Safe Radiation Environment, Zero Eutrophication, Flourishing Lakes and Streams, Good-Quality Groundwater, A Balanced Marine Environment, Flourishing Coastal Areas and Archipelagos, Thriving Wetlands, Sustainable Forests, A Varied Agricultural Landscape, A Magnificent Mountain Landscape, A Good Built Environment, A Rich Diversity of Plant and Animal Life. http://naturvardsverket.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1477059/FULLTEXT01.pdf

The Swedish Environmental Code was adopted in 1998 and entered into force 1 January 1999. The rules contained within 15 acts have been amalgamated in this comprehensive and fundamental code on environment. The Code is divided into seven Parts and each Part is divided into Chapters (33 in total). Part 1 contains provisions of general character. Chapter 1 defines objectives and area of application of the Code. Chapter 2 defines general environmental obligations and requirements. Chapter 3 contains basic provisions concerning the management of land and water areas, whereas Chapter 4 contains special provisions concerning land and water management in certain areas in Sweden. Chapter 5 concerns the publication of environmental quality standards and compliance with such standards. Chapter 6 concerns environmental impact statements. Part 2 makes provision for the protection of nature. Chapter 7 provides principally for the protection of areas, i.e. designation of national parks, nature reserves, culture reserves, habitat protection areas, wildlife and plant sanctuaries, shore protection areas, environmental protection areas, water protection areas, and special protection areas and special areas of conservation. Chapter 8 contains special provisions concerning the protection of animal and plant species. Part 3 provides rules that apply to certain activities that may harm the environment. Chapter 9 concerns environmentally hazardous activities and health protection. Chapter 10 deals with to land and water areas, buildings and structures that are so polluted that they may cause damage human health or the environment and provides in particular for responsibility for investigation and after-treatment. Chapter 11 contains provisions relating to specified waterworks and other operations regarding water. Chapter 12 contains rules relative to quarries, agriculture and other activities. Provisions of Chapter 13 shall be applicable to contained use and deliberate release of genetically modified organisms. Chapter 14 concerns chemical products and biotechnical organisms and Chapter 15 waste and producer responsibility in respect of waste. Other provisions of the Code concern valuation and assessment of environmental activities in relation with authorization, legal proceedings, court's decisions, etc. (Part 4), supervision (Part 5), offences, penalties and enforcement (Part 6) and compensation in connection with public interventions and permit application procedures relating to water operation etc, compensation for certain kinds of environmental damage and other private claims, environmental damage insurance and environmental clean-up insurance (Part 7).

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets out rules to halt deterioration in the status of European Union (EU) water bodies and achieve ‘good status’ for Europe’s rivers, lakes and groundwater by 2015. It specifically includes: protecting all forms of water (surface, ground, inland and transitional); restoring the ecosystems in and around these bodies of water; reducing pollution in water bodies; guaranteeing sustainable water usage by individuals and businesses. The WFD addresses many land-based preassures and activities that also affect the marine environment. Related are also OSPAR recommendations 89/4 and 92/7 but as the purpose of these recommendations have been addressed by the Nitrates Directive, the Waste Framework Directive and the Water Framework Directive, the recommendations have currently been set-aside.

The HELCOM Contracting Parties have decided on a joint action plan for the Baltic Sea environment, the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), adopted in 2007 and updated in 2021. BSAP is HELCOM’s strategic programme of measures and actions for achieving good environmental status of the sea, ultimately leading to a Baltic Sea in a healthy state. The updated plan includes more theme areas and the objectives for the work have also been updated. The updated BSAP is divided into four segments with specific goals: -Biodiversity, with its goal of a “Baltic Sea ecosystem is healthy and resilient”, -Eutrophication, with its goal of a “Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication” -Hazardous substances and litter, with its goal of a “Baltic Sea unaffected by hazardous substances and litter”, and -Sea-based activities, with its goal of “Environmentally sustainable sea-based activities”.

The document provides an overview of HELCOM and its contribution to achieving good environmental status in the Baltic Sea Region, e.g. by describing the process and results of the regional coordination of measures and identifies opportunities for improved regional coherence of national measures and for additional joint regional actions. Thus, the document does not include direct measures. Hence, the response “not known” chosen for the field Measure Purpose.