Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

Marine Protected Areas

The aim of the coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas (HELCOM MPAs)* is to protect valuable marine and coastal habitats in the Baltic Sea. This is done by designating sites with particular nature values as protected areas, and by managing human activities within those areas. Each site has its unique management plan.

Currently (May 2023) there are 188 HELCOM MPAs in the Baltic Sea.

* former BSPAs

Groups and Projects

HELCOM Working Group on Biodiversity, Protection and Restoration (WG BioDiv)