NABU in Rostock: Urgent call for better protection of the Baltic Sea!

NABU in Rostock: Urgent call for better protection of the Baltic Sea!

Around 260 delegates from all over Germany recently gathered in the Rostock town hall for the Federal Representatives' Meeting of the Nature Conservation Association (NABU). NABU is not only the oldest nature conservation association in Germany, but also the one with the largest number of members. A central topic of the meeting was the “Sea Policy Program”, in which the participants dealt with the current challenges and threats to the North and Baltic Seas. NABU President Jörg-Andreas Krüger pointed out that the German North and Baltic Seas are doing badly. The Baltic Sea in particular, which is one of the fastest warming seas in the world, suffers from heat waves, over-fertilization and a lack of oxygen. Despite the fact that around 45 percent of the Baltic Sea is under protection, little has improved. These areas are often threatened by fishing, resource extraction and shipping.

A central point of the meeting was the adoption of a resolution calling for a ban on fishing in the core zones of the Western Pomerania Lagoon and Jasmund National Parks. NABU also demands that at least half of the protected areas must remain free of commercial use. Given the current situation, it is essential that Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) acts decisively and provides the necessary human and financial capacities. The debate about marine protection almost tempts us to focus on the need for effective protection.

The challenges for marine nature

Despite the designation of almost 45 percent of the national sea area in Germany as protected areas, there is a lack of effective protective measures. The harbor porpoise is particularly threatened in the central Baltic Sea. In most Natura 2000 protected areas it is hardly possible to protect marine nature from economic activities. Regulated protected area management is essential, but there is currently a lack of concrete management plans that could ensure real protection. The NABU emphasizes that strict protection is necessary to counteract the impending loss of species in the North and Baltic Seas and that the Federal Republic is failing to comply with its EU obligations.

During the meeting, the new honor was also given to wool entrepreneur Marco Scheel and Sundair founder Marcos Rossello, which sends a positive signal regarding corporate commitment to nature conservation. But while some actors are taking responsibility, the need for action in fisheries remains great. Current fishing restrictions are considered inadequate. 59 percent of the protected marine area in Europe is already being fished at the bottom. It is shocking that only 0.6 percent of German marine protected areas are completely fishing-free.

An appeal for the future

Germany has committed to strictly protecting ten percent of the exclusive economic zone and must take urgent measures to actually implement these requirements. For example, fishing bans that have already been enacted in recent years, such as the ban on active mobile bottom trawling, should finally be consistently implemented. NABU is also calling for a general ban on this type of fishing in marine protected areas.

Meanwhile, a central memorial hour for the victims of war and violence took place in Schwerin, as well as good news from the sports world: the third division football team confidently beat association league team Penzliner SV 5-0 in the round of 16. While Greifswalder FC had its fans cheering in the city derby, there is still excitement surrounding environmental protection policy. NABU is determined to put marine protection further on the agenda - this will require a good hand.

The next steps are already in the starting blocks: Politicians must now act quickly to create the legal framework that guarantees effective marine protection. The challenges are clear and it is important to take responsibility to secure the future of the oceans. So it remains exciting to see whether and how the big announcements will be implemented in the coming months.