Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

MPAs have been designated under the EU Habitat Directive within the German exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The EEZs encompass the area between the 12 sm boundary and the EEZs of bordering countries. The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) are now responsible for the practical implementation of the MPAs.

In contrast, the designation of MPAs in inshore waters is administered by the federal states. Presently the Thünen Institute, on the behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), is developing a program of fisheries measures for the MPAs within the EEZs in a joint effort with the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. The aim is to balance marine conservation with a sustainable use of marine areas by fisheries.