Ecosystem services provided by the Baltic Sea ... - Naturvårdsverket

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SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Report 5873 • Ecosystem services provided by the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak Economic Marine Information boat industry generates approximately 276 million EUR in 2004 (233). Moreover, Sweden holds 2 % of the world market in terms of boat production (3). Increased boating also generates increased need for shipyards, marinas, service and craftsmen. Diving Within the Baltic Sea region the number of divers are roughly estimated at 235 000 (234) and the number is believed to be increasing. Regarding the extent of Swedish recreational diving there is no reliable statistics. Nevertheless, the main actor, PADI, sees that the industry is growing (235). The number of dive centres is increasing (65 PADI centres in Sweden) and so are the number of employed in this industry. PADI certifies ca 20 000 people in the Nordic countries each year. An even larger group of Nordic divers are certified abroad (30 000). Among these, 60 - 65 % are new to the sport. Besides PADI, there are two more actors, NAUI and CMAS, which (albeit to lesser extent) certify in Nordic countries and abroad. The Swedish Diving Association (SSDF) includes approximately 200 dive clubs, among which most are likely to offer dive opportunities in coastal waters (236). Bird watching The Baltic Sea is considered important for birdlife, particularly along coastlines, on islands and in shallow lagoons. In Latvia for example, more than half of the best locations for bird watching are situated on the coast. Numerous so called Important Bird Areas (IBA) are situated along the coast; their aim is to identify, monitor and protect key sites for birds. The Bird Directive from 1979 aims to protect valuable bird populations and today many of the IBAs are legally protected within nature reserves or included in Natura 2000 areas. The rich birdlife attracts recreational bird watchers and tourism related to bird watching. According to the Swedish Ornithological Society (237), bird watching is a rapidly growing recreational activity in Sweden and elsewhere. In Sweden, bird watching is particularly important along the southern coasts including Öland, Gotland and the peninsula of Falsterbo. The bird sanctuary on Stora Karlsö, where 9000 pairs of guillemots breed, is a major attraction. Furthermore, bird tourism typically has limited ecological impact. Besides recreational values and tourism revenues, the presence of accessible seabird colonies, like that of Stora Karlsö (Gotland), generates scientific information and contributes towards public education (chapter C3). The Swedish Ornithological Society has approximately 12 000 registered members and the number of registered members in the 24 regional, and almost 100 local organisations are estimated to be similar in size. The Danish Ornithological Society has 13 000 members (238), and in Finland, 10 000 ornithologists are organized in 30 local agencies under Bird Life Finland (239). Seal safari Various companies offer seal safaris both in the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak. In some cases, the safaris are run by commercial fishermen. Some operators are certified within the Nature’s Best programme (229). 137
SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Report 5873 • Ecosystem services provided by the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak Economic Marine Information Interaction with other ecosystem services Enjoyment of recreational activities related to the marine environment is primarily dependent on the presence of attractive scenery both above and below water. Diving, for example, is particularly boosted by underwater diversity. The use of beaches for sunbathing and swimming activities is related to the presence on clean, attractive beaches devoid of putrid algae, rubbish and toxic substances such as oil. Various supporting and regulating ecosystem services are needed to fulfil these requirements, including mitigation of eutrophication, regulation of pollution and biological regulation. Sport fishers, on their hand, demand big fish, preferably fit for consumption, which is typically related to healthy stocks of target species, high biodiversity, high habitat quality and efficient nutrient cycling and resilience. Bird watchers and participants on seal safaris are also ultimately dependent on biodiversity, habitat and resilience. The enjoyment of recreation can in turn positively affect other cultural ecosystem services such as the use of nature for education, the experience of cultural heritage and inspiration and finally it might strengthen the belief that ecosystems have to be preserved for ethical reasons. Tourism may also become an incentive for conservation and sound management practices which then in turn might increase most other ecosystem services. Status, threats and consequences Status Sustainability of use Level of threat Expected consequences Moderate Unsustainable? Moderate Moderate Excessive development related to tourism and recreational activity is in many areas around the Baltic Sea threatening its own existence. Unless the services that provide the basis for tourism and recreational activities are acknowledged and sustainably managed, future value may be diminished. In summary, most threats to e.g. biodiversity, habitat and resilience (dealt with in respective chapters) could indirectly affect the enjoyment of recreational activities in marine and coastal settings. The predicted increase interest for Baltic Sea tourism due to global warming could be seen as an incentive to promote conservation measures. There is reason to make sure that such opportunity promotes sustainable use - rather than imperils - ecosystem services provided by our coasts and seas. Over-fishing Along major parts of the Baltic and Skagerrak coasts, sport fishing is not considered meaningful today, due to reduced catches and environmental degradation in general. Although recreational fishing has been shown to add more value, overfishing for commercial purposes is still a substantial threat to sport fishing. Mean- 138
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Ecosystem services provided by the
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Ecosystem services provided by the Baltic Sea ... - Naturvårdsverket

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