Nature reserves on the Baltic Sea: What really applies now – and what’s still to come

​Three new marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein have been in force since March, but many sailors are unsure: what is allowed and what is forbidden? The 19 June edition of *News for Seafarers* provides clarity.

Three new nature reserves – in the southern part of Hohwacht Bay, west of Fehmarn, and between Gelting Bay and the Schleimündung – have been under strict protection since March 2026. They form part of the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan, through which the state aims to protect a total of 12.5 per cent of Schleswig-Holstein’s Baltic Sea coastline by 2030. The fact that the areas are officially in force, but the specific navigation regulations – including speed limits and seasonal restricted zones – are still pending, has left many water sports enthusiasts at a loss. The Notices to Mariners (NfS) published by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) on 19 June now officially set out the regulations that have been in force since March, thereby clarifying once again what is and is not permitted in the protected areas.

​This applies to the three coastal protected areas

The “Baltic Sea–Schleswig-Holstein Nature Reserve Navigation Regulations (OstseeSHNSGBefV)”, published in the NfS, govern navigation within nature reserves on federal waterways. The key point is that any actions which could lead to the destruction, damage or alteration of the nature reserves are prohibited.

The following restrictions are particularly relevant for recreational boaters: Recreational fishing from a boat is completely prohibited. The only permitted forms of fishing are from the shore on foot or whilst wading with a hand line. Bird sanctuaries are off-limits during the breeding season (April to the end of July). Specific regulations apply to each area, which are indicated on information boards at the boundaries. The exact boundaries and protected zones are marked on the relevant nautical charts.

What is still permitted: It is possible to navigate through the protected areas in pleasure craft, provided that fishing equipment is lashed down and stowed away. Access to harbours remains possible at all times. Swimming, bathing and diving are also still permitted.

The other prohibitions listed in the NfS primarily concern commercial fishing and the maritime economy: commercial fishing, shellfish harvesting, aquaculture, dredging, blasting, drilling and the construction of wind turbines are prohibited.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) areas: Far out at sea, of little relevance to recreational craft

The NfS also lists detailed regulations for nature reserves within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): the Fehmarn Belt, the Kadetrinne and the Pomeranian Bay–Rönnebank. These are situated far from the coast and are unlikely to affect typical recreational boating, as they do not involve any navigation bans. The regulations in these areas are primarily aimed at commercial fishing, with bans on mobile bottom-trawling gear, gillnets and entangling nets, as well as fishing bans that are either year-round or seasonal.

What’s next: The Navigation Regulations

However, the rules now set out in the NfS are not the end of the story. The Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment is currently working on a separate navigation regulation which will introduce additional restrictions specifically for water sports in the designated coastal areas. Plans include speed limits for motorboats to reduce underwater noise, as well as seasonal restricted zones for sailors, kiteboarders, surfers and foilers in key migratory bird resting areas between November and March.

These provisions are already set out in the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan, but must be approved by the Federal Ministry of Transport as they concern federal waterways.

Hans Köster, who is responsible for environmental issues at the Schleswig-Holstein State Sailing Association, told YACHT, that the regulation is currently being drawn up by a working group comprising around 30 stakeholders – including water sports associations, tourism professionals, fishermen and environmental organisations. “We’re at the stage where we’ll have one or two more meetings,” said Köster. After that, the Ministry for the Environment will draft the proposal for Berlin.

When will the final rules be introduced?

It remains to be seen how long the review by the Federal Ministry of Transport will take. “Nobody knows how long it will take,” says Köster. The regulation must be reviewed in the light of maritime law – and important maritime routes such as the Kiel–Flensburg route also play a role in this.

Environment Minister Goldschmidt has given an assurance that the state government will submit the provisions agreed in the action plan “as they stand” to the Federal Ministry of Transport. The aim is to prevent a situation like the one in the North Sea Navigation Regulations stricter restrictions may be imposed at a later date. “We will monitor the process very closely and make it clear to the federal government that under no circumstances must any additional restrictions be imposed beyond those set out in our application,” said the minister.

Conclusion: Current situation clear; further rules in the pipeline

For recreational boaters, this means that the regulations set out in the NfS of 19 June – in particular the ban on fishing from boats – have been in force since the protected areas came into effect in March. Anyone who complies with these regulations may pass through the protected areas and use the harbour approaches. The announced speed limits and seasonal restricted zones are not yet in force and will be regulated at a later date in a separate navigation regulation. We will provide further information as soon as this is issued by the Federal Ministry of Transport.

Background: From national park to action plan

Following massive protests against plans for a Baltic Sea National Park, the CDU-Green state government agreed on the Baltic Sea Protection Action Plan as a compromise in March 2024. In addition to the protected areas, the 16-point programme also provides for measures to reduce nutrient inputs, recover munitions and restore reefs and seagrass beds.