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Management

Everything flows—the ocean doesn't know any boundaries. Therefore, a sustainable management of marine ecosystems requires joint solutions, aiming for a sustainable use of ressources in combination with marine protection.

Overview
> Management

Conservation and Management

The legal framework for marine management is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which has been regulating jurisdiction over various marine zones for over four decades. It also explicitly obligates all stakeholders to protect the marine environment.

Meere Online
Insight
Strandhafer wächst auf Sanddünen am Meer
Foto: DAM
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

The North and the Baltic Sea

The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are intensively used and should be effectively protected at the same time. This requires a science-based marine management.

Meere Online
Insight
Bunte Seesterne liegen auf Felsen am Meeresboden
Foto: Dirk Schories
> Ocean Conservation

Strategies for Protected Areas

The health of the seas and oceans is deteriorating. The trend can only be reversed if marine protection and sustainable use are pushed forward consistently.

Meere Online
Insight
Sea surface
Angel Acevedo/Unsplash
> Deep Sea and High Sea

Concepts for Deep Sea and High Seas

Large parts of the high seas and the deep sea do not fall under national responsibility. Instead, international agreements such as the protection of biodiversity apply.

Meere Online
Insight
> Ocean Governance

Implementation of Marine Management

Agreements on an international, European and national level regulate the use of the seas and oceans - however, we are still a long way from a sustainable approach to the world's largest habitat.

Meere Online
Focus
Zwei Schweinswale
Ecomare/Sytske Dijksen-Ecomare, CC BY-SA 4.0
> Ocean Conservation

Meeresschutzgebiete in Deutschland

Schutzgebiete sind ein wichtiger Baustein zum Erhalt der Meeresumwelt – allerdings nur, wenn die Schutzmaßnahmen auch vollständig umgesetzt werden.

Meere Online
Focus
Projektion auf UN Hauptquatier zeigt 17 Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung im Vorfeld des Gipfels September 2015. Foto: UN Photo/Cia Pak
UN Photo/Cia Pak UN7879217
> Ocean Governance

Polluter Pays and Precautionary Principle

The protection of the seas is negotiated within the framework of national and international environmental policies. Two main principles shape these considerations: the so-called polluter-pays principle and the precautionary principle.

Meere Online
Website
> Ocean Conservation

Marine protection: What is it all about?

Marine protection is a current priority topic of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV), which is supported by the Federal Government's Marine Protection Commissioner.

BMUV
Website
> Ocean Conservation

Marine nature conservation

The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) has compiled current information and publications on marine protection, measures and monitoring.

BfN
Website
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

Marine protection as part of the European marine strategy

The information portal of the working group of the federal states and the federal government on the North Sea and Baltic Sea (BLANO) provides information on the implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Germany. Only in German.

BLANO
Website
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

The AWI North Sea Office

The North Sea Office of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) communicates scientific content to politicians, environmental organisations and the public to support the sustainable management of a changing North Sea. Available in German only.

AWI
Website
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan 2030

The Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan 2030 aims to efficiently protect the Baltic Sea. Measures to achieve this have been developed together with all stakeholder groups on the coast. Available in German only.

Federal State Schleswig-Holstein
Website
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

Coastal research North Sea - Baltic Sea (KüNO)

In the KüNO research programme, knowledge for sustainable ecosystem and coastal management is developed and available for practical use.

KüNO
Website
> Deep Sea and High Sea

Protecting the biodiversity of the high seas

Together with other nations, Germany has signed the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the High Seas, which strengthens the protection of biodiversity.

Federal Government
Website
> Ocean Governance

The governance of the oceans

The Ocean Governance Research Group at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) conducts research at the interface of science, policy and society to promote sustainable ocean management.

RIFS
Website
> Ocean Conservation

Initiatives for international marine protection

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ): the Blue Action Fund and the MeerWissen initiative are examples of projects that aim to strengthen the protection of coastal and marine ecosystems. Available in German only.

BMZ
Website
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

OSPAR - Conservation agreement for the North-East Atlantic

OSPAR is an international agreement to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. Fifteen governments and the European Union work together in the OSPAR Commission.

OSPAR
Website
> North Sea and Baltic Sea

HELCOM - working together to protect the Baltic Sea

The Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.

HELCOM
Website
> Ocean Governance

Marine spatial planning

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) provides information on marine spatial planning, which aims to minimise conflicts of use and to ensure the protection of marine nature. Available in German only.

BMUV
Website
> Ocean Governance

The legal order of the oceans

The chapter ‘Life Guarantee Ocean’ of the World Ocean Review describes the legal order of the oceans and shows why the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is insufficiently implemented in practice.

WOR
Website
> Ocean Governance

Marine spatial planning in the North and Baltic Seas

The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) provides information and maps on marine spatial planning in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.

BSH
Multimedia
> Ocean Conservation

Marine protected areas - data, scope and significance

Protected Planet provides comprehensive information on the current status and importance of marine protected areas worldwide.

Protected Planet
Website
> Ocean Governance

Scientific advice on the sustainable use of the oceans

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is an intergovernmental organisation that provides scientific advice on marine ecosystems and resources.

ICES
Website
> Ocean Governance

German Arctic Office

The German Arctic Office at the Alfred Wegener Institute is the information and co-operation platform for German Arctic stakeholders from science, politics and business.

AWI
Website
> Ocean Conservation

Weddell Sea Protected Area

The Weddell Sea to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the last largely untouched marine areas in the world. International negotiations are therefore underway to establish a protected area there.

AWI
Website
> Ocean Governance

What is behind SDG 14?

Information from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Life below water-Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. Available in German only.

BMZ
Website
> Ocean Governance

Dossier on the use of marine space

The redistribution and reallocation of marine areas has ecological, economic and socio-cultural consequences - in the Thünen Institute's dossier you can find out more about the future spatial utilisation concepts for fisheries.

Thünen Institute
PDF
> Ocean Conservation

An integrative approach to fisheries and marine conservation

The study by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) relates small-scale fisheries to the ‘30x30 target’ of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Available in German only.

GIZ
Website
> Deep Sea and High Sea

Convention on the Protection of the High Seas: Which countries have ratified it yet?

As soon as 60 states have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the High Seas, it will enter into force 120 days later.

High Seas Alliance
Multimedia
> Deep Sea and High Sea

Accessible Ocean - Podcast on the Ocean Decade

In episode 5 of the BMBF podcast, experts from the German Development Institute and the Institute for Transformative Sustainability Research talk about fair access to the ocean, its goods, services and the information about it. Available in German only.

BMBF
Multimedia
> Ocean Governance

Safe Ocean - Podcast about the Ocean Decade

In this episode of the BMBF podcast, experts from the International Tsunami Information Centre in the Caribbean and the German Oceanographic Museum talk about potential natural hazards and protective measures. Available in German only.

BMBF
Multimedia
> Ocean Governance

Marine conservation begins on land

This film by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) uses the Elbe as an example to explain how various pollutants and nutrients are carried from rivers into the oceans. Get useful tips on how you can contribute to marine protection on land (in German).

UBA

Find Connections

More on "Management" from other subject areas:

PDF
> Ammunition

Munition in the seas – Value creation perspectives

In its position paper, the German Association for Marine Technology (GMT) outlines the value creation perspectives of munitions in the sea for the German marine technology industry. Available in German only.

GMT
Multimedia
> Ammunition

Ammunition in the sea

The ammunition cadastre AmuCad (“Ammunition Cadastre Sea”) provides comprehensive information on munitions contamination in the ocean and a digital map showing areas of greatest pollution.

AmuCad
Website
> Nutrients

Assessment report Baltic Sea

In 2023, a new assessment report under the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) was published – the ecological status of the Baltic Sea is poor in almost all areas. The report is available in English (State of the Baltic Sea 2023).

UBA
Multimedia
> Pollutants

Digital toolbox for marine pollution

Based on scientific findings, the Coastal Pollution Toolbox (CPT) provides information on the sources, impacts, and mitigation options for marine pollution.

Hereon
Multimedia
> Plastic Litter

Online portal for marine litter

The “Litterbase” database of the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) compiles extensive scientific knowledge on marine litter and offers maps and infographics.

AWI
Website
> Biodiversity

Database on global threats to marine mammals

This database contains various threats faced by over 120 species of marine mammals worldwide, including whales, seals, polar bears, sea otters, and manatees.

TiHo
Website
> Biodiversity

New species in the Wadden Sea

The Wadden Sea is currently changing more rapidly than it has in thousands of years. This focus area of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) vividly illustrates the changes caused by introduced species.

AWI
Website
> Ecosystem Change

The changing face of the North Sea

This focus area of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) provides up-to-date knowledge on changes in biodiversity, the impacts of climate change, and advisory services at the North Sea Office.

AWI
Multimedia
> Restoration

The restoration of the European oyster

The European oyster plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem functions in its habitat. Currently considered extinct in the German North Sea, it is being reintroduced through a project at the Alfred Wegener Institute.

AWI
Website
Screenshot der SDG Academy Webseite mit Kursen in Rasteransicht. DAM.
Screenshot: DAM
> Educational Materials

SDG Academy

The SDG Academy offers free educational resources on the topic of sustainability - sortable by UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Development Solutions Network
PDF
> Restoration

The restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems

This policy paper (2023) for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) addresses the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems, outlines the context, identifies challenges, and provides recommendations for action. Available in German only.

BMUV
Multimedia
Foto der DAM Zukunftsbox, ein Spiel zum Nachhaltigen Umgang mit den Meeren.
Carolin Rankin
> Educational Materials

Future box oceans

In a workshop format, various future scenarios are developed in a playful way to answer the question: What will our oceans look like in the future? Available in German only.

DAM | Futurium
Multimedia
Zwei Hände berühren einen Touchdisplay und interagieren mit dem Interaktiven Weltozean.
Foto: DAM Sinje Hasheider
> Educational Materials

Interactive world ocean

Touchscreen-based ocean map for schools, educational institutions and exhibitions - navigate simply and intuitively by touch and immerse yourself in the underwater world.

DAM
Website
> Marine and Climate Research

UN Decade of Oceanography for Sustainable Development

The United Nations has declared the years 2021 to 2030 the International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development to implement solutions for the protection and sustainable use of the ocean.

Ocean Decade
Multimedia
> Fisheries and Aquaculture

Marine atlas on the use and state of the oceans

The Thünen Institute's Marine Atlas offers interactive maps and analyses of marine ecosystems and uses such as fisheries, aquaculture, energy production, transport and tourism. Available in German only.

Thünen Institute
PDF
> Mineral Resources

The international seabed - common heritage of mankind

Policy Brief with recommendations for the future regulation of deep-sea mining published by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) and the Federal Environment Agency. Available in German only.

RIFS
Multimedia
> Fisheries and Aquaculture

Environmentally friendly aquaculture

The interactive presentation by the Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) shows an environmentally friendly aquaculture concept that combines different farmed animals.

ZMT
Website
> Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fish stocks online

Sustainable fish purchasing - but how? This portal provides information on the state of fish stocks in the sea - comprehensive, up-to-date and scientifically proven. Available in German only.

Thünen Institute
Website
> Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fish, seafood and algae in a changing climate

How food from the sea can contribute to sustainable development in a changing climate is described in the ‘Blue Food’ handbook published by ‘Küstenmeerforschung Nordsee-Ostsee’ (KüNO). Available in German only.

Hereon
Website
> Marine Engergy

Expansion of offshore wind energy in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea

Information from the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation on the planned nature-friendly expansion of offshore wind energy in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea. Only available in German.

BfN
Multimedia
> Marine Engergy

Planning areas for offshore wind farms

The interactive map of the Helmholtz Centre Hereon shows the location and size of offshore wind farms and protected areas in the North Sea and Baltic Sea for scenario planning.

Hereon
Website
> Marine Engergy

Offshore wind farms in the German exclusive economic zone

Information on offshore wind farms in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea and Baltic Sea from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH).

BSH
Website
> The Ocean as a Climate Buffer

The ocean as a climate saviour?

The website of the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) reports on the need for proactive management of negative emissions technologies.

RIFS Potsdam
Website
> Marine and Climate Research

sustainMare: protection and sustainable use of marine areas

The research mission sustainMare of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) investigates ecological, economic and social impacts of the utilisation and pollution of various marine regions and provides concrete knowledge for action.

sustainMare
Website
> Measuring Devices and Data

Marine environmental database

The Marine Environmental Database (MUDAB) summarises and provides data from the marine monitoring activities of the coastal federal states and other federal and research institutions. Available in German only.

UBA
Website
> Marine and Climate Research

mareXtreme: possibilities to improve risk management

The research mission mareXtreme of the German Marine Research Alliance is investigating the interactions between extreme marine events and natural hazards as well as their ecological and social impacts.

mareXtreme
Website
> Marine and Climate Research

CDRmare: marine carbon storage as a path to decarbonisation

The research mission CDRmare of the German Marine Research Alliance investigates how the climate regulating effect of the ocean can be strengthened in the future and provides concrete knowledge for action.

CDRmare
PDF
> The Ocean as a Climate Buffer

The role of the ocean in climate policy

This publication, issued by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, describes the role of the ocean in European and global climate policy. Available in German only.

SWP
PDF
> Sea Level Rise

North Sea storm surges in a changing climate - prospects for coastal development

How does climate change affect storm surges on the North Sea coast and what is necessary for coastal defences in the future? This brochure answers these and other questions and summarises the current state of knowledge. Available in German only.

Hereon
PDF
> Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise on the German Baltic coast

This brochure summarises the current state of knowledge on sea level rise, coastal development and coastal protection on the German Baltic Sea coast in the context of climate change. Available in German only.

Hereon
Multimedia
> Sea Level Rise

North German Coastal and Climate Office

The North German Coastal and Climate Office provides practical results from coastal and climate research for northern Germany - from storm surge monitors to interactive maps for coastal protection. Available in German only.

Hereon
Website
> The Ocean as a Climate Buffer

Oceans as carbondioxide storage facility

Information material from the DAM research mission CDRmare (CDR: Carbon Dioxide Removal) about the role of the ocean in the absorption and storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

CDRmare
Multimedia
> Sea Level Rise

Sea level monitor

How much has the sea level risen along the northern coasts of Germany in the last century? These and other questions are answered by the sea level monitor of the North German Coastal and Climate Office of the Helmholtz Centre Hereon.

Hereon

The federal government and the governments of the five northern German states support the current development and sponsor the DAM

Topics at a Glance

Biodiversity

Climate Change

Ocean Use

Pollution

Management

Research