Management conflicts in the Vistula Lagoon area

The respondents highlighted several key problems that prevent prosperity and sustainability of the lagoon and add to persisting relative poverty of the region. Primarily, they pointed out to bad quality of water in the lagoon, despite recent improvements in terms of erection of many new waste water treatment plants. Then, they indicated poor touristic and harbor infrastructure on both the northern and southern parts of the lagoon. Next, they signaled bureaucratic difficulties related to ecological restrictions imposed by NATURA 2000 requirements. This included the strain on the fishing sector by very large colony of cormorants. Finally, they discussed the problem of free navigation and access to the lagoon by Polish and non-Russian vessels. Nevertheless, the respondents believe that the lagoon possesses high economic potential, which must be harnessed to begin region's economic recovery and first steps toward sustainable development.