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 while, eutrophication and other human-induced disturbances exacerbate the situation. Due to the current status of the marine environment few communities along the Baltic coast choose to develop fishing tourism (240-241). Instead, Swedish sport fishermen leave the country and spend their money elsewhere, particularly along the coasts of Norway. Eutrophication Eutrophication is believed to increase the presence of filamentous algal mats, as well as blooms of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), which can sometimes be toxic. The commonly occurring increase in filamentous algae in shallow coastal areas results in unattractive malodorous shores. In order to maintain recreational values, these algal mats have to be removed. The cost of cleaning the shores of the municipality of Strömstad (Skagerrak) was estimated at 70 000 EUR per year (152). A survey of 1 600 tourism operators in Sweden revealed that intense algal blooms in the Baltic 2005 caused substantial decrease in bookings on Gotland during the following summer (242). On Öland, algal blooms during the 2005 summer resulted in losses of approximately 11 million EUR in the tourism and fishing sectors (243). The organism primarily responsible for toxic blooms in the Baltic Sea is Nodularia spumigena (a cyanobacterium). It can cause liver damage and although no human fatalities have been recorded so far, cattle and other domestic animals have deceased from this poisonous organism. Pollution The Baltic Sea is already one of the world’s most trafficked seas and maritime activity is expected to increase in coming years (chapter P7). Despite large numbers of old and less secure tankers, no truly catastrophic oil spills have not yet occurred. It should however be noted that the tanker Prestige, which in 2002 lost tens of thousands of tonnes crude oil off the Galician coast in Spain, had travelled through the Baltic Sea on its way to the scene of the accident. The spill had severe consequences for tourism, fisheries and the marine environment. The Swedish Rescue Services Agency has presented a hypothetical scenario in which a similar tanker catastrophe (hypothesised spill of 30 000 tonnes) occurs in the Baltic Sea at the location where the Fu Shan Hai released 1 500 tonnes in 2004. Among others, this scenario results in an estimated loss of 42.3 million EUR in tourism revenues (244). Coastal development Tourism is already having a major environmental impact on many coastal areas. Besides land-grab, its demand for resources such as water and need for waste disposal facilities cause pressure on water resources and natural coastal habitats and structures such as wetlands and sand dunes. In Poland, for example, most coastal habitats are threatened by coastal development, excessive garbage disposal and coastal abrasion (245). Meanwhile, many visitors and operators are unaware of the consequences their activities might have on nature and ecosystem processes. In the Eastern Baltic, Russian Kaliningrad is becoming an increasingly popular tour- 139
SWEDISH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Report 5873 • Ecosystem services provided by the Baltic Sea and Skagerrak Economic Marine Information ism destination. For wealthy Russians, Kaliningrad offers cheap opportunities. As a consequence, coastal land is bought for the construction of holiday homes, often with detrimental effects on the environment and with loss of potential development of local tourism (246). Invasive alien species During the last decade two long-tailed water fleas have spread rapidly in the Baltic Sea. Besides threatening food web dynamics (chapter S3), the long tail spines of these water fleas are a nuisance to anglers because they tend to accumulate on fishing lines and nets. Some anglers have reported needing to cut their fishing lines because there were so many water fleas attached they could not reel in their lines. Invasive species do not always constitute a threat; the round goby has become an appreciated target for sport fishers in e.g. Poland. How to strengthen the ability to enjoy recreational activities in marine environments It is clear that the many tourist destinations that owe their popularity to their proximity to the sea are dependent on environmental quality. A high level of protection of the coastal and marine environment (above as well as below water) is therefore essential for the sustainability of tourism. For example, an international demand for sport fishing on natural fish populations in a clean environment is believed to provide great opportunities for our region (126). A current campaign from the Swedish Federation of Fishing Rights Owners highlights the potential for recreational fishery to become a major tourist attraction. Meanwhile, the association demands better water management in areas, including coastal regions, with potential for this business (247). Regarding the current state of eutrophication in the Baltic proper, BSAP work in progress appears promising. But is the tourism industry patient enough to wait for the results to become evident? When it comes to water transparency, it may take decades for the huge water masses that are the Baltic to respond to altered farming practices. If too slow, preventive measures could possibly be complemented by the cleaning of filamentous algae from shores and the gathering of algal slicks at sea (248). ” Feel the white sands and the sea salt on your skin. Listen to the call of the seagulls gliding on proud wings over the bay. Look for amber, the gold of the Baltic, sparkling in the morning sun” Promotion for a sea side hotel in Rügen, Germany In order to promote Swedish dive tourism, underwater dive parks including specific dive trails could be developed. Underwater parks are a sustainable and educative way to display maritime finds. Examples from different parts of world have shown 140
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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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