Eutrophication, risk management and sustainability. The perceptions of different stakeholders in the northern Baltic Sea

The environmental condition of the Baltic Sea is not only of concern for natural scientists. The awareness of the deteriorating state of the ecosystem has become an issue of interdisciplinary interest, and the amount of organizations with the marine environment and ecosystem health on the agenda is large. To present holistic and sustainable solutions and results of the actions taken, an active cooperation between all stakeholder groups and levels are needed. How different stakeholders in the northern Baltic Sea perceive the structures and assessments of the eutrophication were analyzed by semi-structured interviews with 17 stakeholders representing authorities, scientists, NGOs and national interest organizations. The focus was the view of the governance structures, risk assessment, management and communication. There was an overall consensus that eutrophication is a serious problem. Still variations in the opinions both within and between the stakeholder groups were seen. The scientists were most divergent from the rest.

► Analysis of interviews with 17 stakeholders, divided into 4 groups, in the northern Baltic Sea region. ► Interests are mainly on governance structures, risk management and communication. ► The management is mainly science-based. ► Overall, eutrophication is seen as a fact, not a risk in the Baltic Sea.