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).

In the measure, a coordinated action strategy (according to the DAPSIR model) with regard to physical impact and biological restoration in coastal waters is developed. The strategy improves the conditions for concrete restoration measures and biological restoration and includes evaluating the need for strategic measures, mainly for coastal areas. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that additional national agencies collaborating within the measure have been included but also additional activities such as: coordinating the strategy with measures in the regional water authorities' action program under WFD , regional knowledge-sharing with relevant expert groups within both Helcom and Ospar clarifications on the scope of the strategy, and descriptions of the implementation of the strategy. Regional cooperation: In developing the strategy, account will be taken and links made to Helcom's and Ospar's lists of species and habitats and recommendations. Helcom's Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes related work (including measure B27 on restoration).

These regulations apply to Swedish trawl fishing for North Sea shrimp in the Kattegat, Skagerrak and North Sea. The regulations apply as a supplement to regulations on fishing in the EU regulations on the common fisheries policy and in the Swedish National Board of Fisheries' regulations (FIFS 1993:30) on fishing in the Kattegat and Skagerrak with adjacent freshwater areas.

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 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 measure is based on the implementation of several components where different actors are involved. The activities with the measure aim to remove and collect lost gears but also to prevent further losses of fishing gears in order to limit input of marine litter. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that new activities have been included such as developing a guide for handling applications for uptake initiatives within the Swedish national marine and fisheries programme, but also that targeted information will be provided to commercial and recreational fishing regarding the management of waste on boats in order prevent further losses of fishing gear to the marine environment. Regional coordination: Both Helcom and Ospar have adopted regional action plans on marine litter, including actions related to this measure. Thus, coordination in implementation will be sought where relevant.

The measure implies that targeted national information campaigns are produced in collaboration with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The campaigns are e.g. targeting the general public and consumers about common litter objects in the marine environment, its negative impact on the environment and the link to consumer behaviour.

The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management has the overall responsibility for the measure, which is directed at developing guidance on what management documents for marine protected areas must contain. A representative and well-connected network of marine protected areas with appropriate conservation measures contribute to achieving good environmental status.

The measure aims at establishing new marine protected areas and other area-based conservation measures to support achievement of good environmental status. The measure has been modified since Sweden’s programme of measure 2015. The modification implies that the measure has been expanded to include work with green infrastructure, ecosystem-based marine management and include additional activities to achieve an expected revised, higher areal target of marine protected areas. Moreover, additional possible spatial management measures are included e.g. to align the measure with other management processes (e.g. fisheries management and marine planning). Regional/bilateral cooperation: The measure is related to working groups on marine spatial protection within both Helcom and Ospar. Moreover, the measure is directly linked to Helcom's recommendation 35/1219 for marine protected areas, measures in the Helcom Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP (including measure B1), and OSPAR’s work with the list of endangered species and habitats. Similar measure is also planned within the framework of Finland’s PoM. Thus, coordination in implementation will be sought where relevant.

The measure is taken in order to ensure that the conservation objectives in marine protected areas are met. This means that appropriate conservation measures need to be introduced in marine protected areas where they do not exist (existing and new areas). Moreover, new measures may be needed if new knowledge has emerged, or if you have an old decision for a nature reserve where the marine biological values have not been taken into account.

The measure implies developing and gathering information about methods for ecological compensation and restoration of marine environments in order to improve the conditions for biodiversity and ecosystem services, that habitats are restored and recreated. A well-functioning toolbox with scientifically based methods is a prerequisite for this work and serves as a basis for active restoration (e.g. linked to both ÅPH 29 and ÅPH 31).

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 measure aims to improve regulation of recreational fishing gears through strengthened enforcement and to minimize the risk of loss of passive gear. This is performed through improved marking of gear, which also enables more efficient disposal of lost gear. The measure aims to reduce the input and impact of marine litter, ghost fishing, and improve the status of fish stocks in both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

By promoting a sustainable size distribution of coastal fish communities, important functions in the food web are retained. The measure aims to protect both large and small sizes to promote spawning stocks and recruitment, retain important ecological functions, and counteract evolutionary changes in size and age at sexual maturity. Regional cooperation Helcom’s Baltic Sea Action Plan, BSAP, includes similar measures for coastal fish (e.g. measure S53),

The measure aims to reduce the trawl swept area, develop and promote the use of selective and low impact gears to improve the status of bottom habitat and coastal fish stocks.

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.

The ordinance includes e.g. regulations on marking of fishing gear and planting of fish.

The regulations apply in addition to regulations related to EU common fisheries policy. They apply to both professional and non-professional fishing in the Skagerrak, Kattegat and the Baltic Sea within Sweden's maritime territory as well as Sweden's exclusive economic zone and fishing from Swedish vessels outside the economic zone. The regulations include for exmple measures to reduce the impact of bottom trawling within the Kosterfjord – Väderfjorden's Natura 2000 area (SE 0520170)

The regulations contain provisions on licenses and permits for Swedish professional fishing in the sea and include e.g. more detailed rules on transferable fishing rights.

Regulations which stipulates provisions on labelling and marking of fishing gear and the obligation to report lost fishing gears.

Support for measures against lost fishing gear such as: collection, reception and recycling of lost fishing gear and communication campaigns.

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.

WFD Measures in the Swedish water authorities' River Basin Management Plans intended to also contributing to the 2021 updated MSFD PoM are listed below. The measures are reported at KTM level. The information about the WFD-measures should however be regarded as preliminary since the adoption and subsequent entry into force of the River Basin Management Plans are delayed. Kommunerna 4 Länsstyrelserna 1 Länsstyrelserna 2 Länsstyrelserna 12