EUROPE

In 2024, the Baltic Sea region carried Europe into the MPA Day story for the very first time. With its enclosed, brackish waters, rich marine life, and a long-standing legacy of cross-border cooperation, the Baltic offered a powerful and symbolic setting for this debut.

On the windswept coast of Gotland, where land and sea have shaped lives for generations, a small but determined wave of celebration took shape. At Ar Research Station, hosted by Blue Centre Gotland, Hope Spot Gotland, and Uppsala University, local voices came together to honour marine biodiversity and reflect on the creation of the future Bästeträsk National Park—a sign of hope in a changing sea.

Meanwhile, across borders, a global MPA Guide webinar steered by PROTECT BALTIC sparked new dialogue. Scientists, conservationists, and ocean advocates gathered online to share knowledge, build connections, and explore practical tools to improve marine protection worldwide.

A social media campaign to highlight species specific to the Baltic was also launched.

These may have been humble beginnings—but they have carried real momentum. Europe’s first steps into MPA Day were thoughtful, grounded, and deeply felt.

And in 2025, that momentum is going to build. With wider participation and growing regional energy, Europe is rising to meet the call—raising a stronger, more unified voice for the ocean we share.