Analysis of marine protected areas - in the Danish part of the North Sea and the Central Baltic around Bornholm. Part 1: The coherence of the present network of MPAs

This report has been written by a team of researchers from DTU Aqua, DCE-BIOS, DHI and GEUS with input and comments from representatives from the Danish Agency for Environmental Protection and the Danish Fish Agency. It presents an analysis of the current network of marine protected areas and the requirements for its potential extension in the two Danish zones; the Danish zone in the North Sea and Skagerrak and the Danish zone in the Central Baltic Sea around Bornholm.

The report presents the scientific input available to evaluate whether the present network of protected areas in the two Danish zones fulfils the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) article 13(4). Article 13(4) requires that EU member states establish ‘coherent and representative networks of marine protected areas, adequately covering the diversity of the constituent ecosystems’ as part of their endeavours to achieve Good Environmental Status. The report also analyses locations where additional protection measures may be established, if necessary, by mapping the spatial distribution of ecological and
economical value in: (1) the Danish zone in the North Sea and Skagerrak, and (2) the Danish zone around Bornholm. Protection measures in the remaining parts of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and in the Kattegat, Belt Sea, and Øresund have not been considered.