The Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), adopted by the HELCOM Contracting Parties in 2007 and updated in 2021, 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.
Since its adoption, the BSAP has resulted in a number of environmental improvements such as a reduction in nutrient inputs to the sea, a better state of biodiversity and a decrease in maritime incidents and spills.
The BSAP provides a concrete basis for HELCOM work. It incorporates the latest scientific knowledge and innovative management approaches into strategic policy implementation, and stimulates goal-oriented multilateral cooperation around the Baltic Sea region.
Guided by the HELCOM vision of “a healthy Baltic Sea environment with diverse biological components functioning in balance, resulting in a good ecological status and supporting a wide range of sustainable economic and social activities”, 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”
- Sea-based activities, with its goal of “Environmentally sustainable sea-based activities”.
For more information please visit: https://helcom.fi/baltic-sea-action-plan/
