The document summarizes several problems affecting the Baltic Sea, including excessive pollution since the 1960s that has damaged the health of the sea. Main issues are eutrophication from increasing nutrient loads, bioaccumulation of harmful substances, and risks from maritime transport and potential spills. The Gulf of Finland suffers the highest nutrient levels despite reductions, and long water residence times allow harmful compounds to accumulate in flora and fauna. Passenger ferry traffic across the Gulf of Finland has greatly increased.