POLLUTION
Pollution
Pollution refers to pressures that spread through the marine ecosystem, where they can have major and widespread impacts. Eutrophication, hazardous substances, marine litter, underwater noise and the introduction of non-indigenous species add to the pressures exerted on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. These pressures originate from societal and economic activities, both terrestrial and maritime. For most of these pressures, reaching sustain- able levels in the Baltic Sea is ultimately dependent on successful actions to restrict and limit their initial inputs, as subsequent remedial action is generally problematic, costly or impossible.
State of the Baltic Sea 2023 — The third HELCOM holistic assessment (HOLAS 3)
State of the Baltic Sea 2023 is a synthesis report that builds on, and integrates, results from a wide range of assessment products produced within the third HELCOM holistic assessment. Its role is to link information from the underpinning assessment products together, thus highlighting the holistic aspects. With this in mind, the summary report focuses on presenting the results and on an in-depth look at why we are seeing these results, providing over-arching context and analysis. The report helps develop a clearer picture of where we are and how things are connected, supporting coordinated and effective measures to strengthen the Baltic Sea environment.
