149
© The Author(s) 2016
M. Gilek et al. (eds.), Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea,
MARE Publication Series 10, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-27006-7_7
Chapter 7
The Ecosystem Approach to Management
in Baltic Sea Governance: Towards Increased
Refl exivity?
Magnus Boström , Sam Grönholm , and Björn Hassler
Abstract This chapter analyses the governance structures linked to the marine
environment of the Baltic Sea. The purpose is to assess whether current developments of the governance structures have a potential to take into account requirements of an Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM). We use the concept of
refl exive governance to understand key components and weaknesses in contemporary governance modes, as well as to elaborate on possible pathways towards a
governance mode more aligned with EAM. The refl exive governance framework
highlights three elements: (1) acknowledgement of uncertainty and ambiguity; (2) a
holistic approach in terms of scales, sectors and actors; and (3) acknowledgement of
path dependency and incremental policy-making. Our analysis is based on a comparative case study approach, including analysis of the governance in fi ve environmental risk areas: chemical pollution, overfi shing, eutrophication, invasive alien
species and pollution from shipping. The chapter highlights an existing governance
mode that is ill-equipped to deal with the complexity of environmental problems in
a holistic manner, with systematic attention to uncertainty, plurality of values, ambiguity and limited knowledge, while also pointing at important recent cognitive and
institutional developments that can favour pathways towards refl exive governance
and consequently EAM.
Keywords Baltic Sea • Ecosystem approach to management • Holistic approach •
Marine governance • Refl exive governance
M. Boström (*)
School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences , Örebro University ,
SE-701 82 Örebro , Sweden
e-mail: magnus.bostrom@oru.se
S. Grönholm
Åbo Akademi University , Turku , Finland
e-mail: sgronhol@abo.fi
B. Hassler
School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies , Södertörn University ,
14189 Huddinge , Sweden
e-mail: bjorn.hassler@sh.se
© The Author(s) 2016
M. Gilek et al. (eds.), Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea,
MARE Publication Series 10, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-27006-7_7
Chapter 7
The Ecosystem Approach to Management
in Baltic Sea Governance: Towards Increased
Refl exivity?
Magnus Boström , Sam Grönholm , and Björn Hassler
Abstract This chapter analyses the governance structures linked to the marine
environment of the Baltic Sea. The purpose is to assess whether current developments of the governance structures have a potential to take into account requirements of an Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM). We use the concept of
refl exive governance to understand key components and weaknesses in contemporary governance modes, as well as to elaborate on possible pathways towards a
governance mode more aligned with EAM. The refl exive governance framework
highlights three elements: (1) acknowledgement of uncertainty and ambiguity; (2) a
holistic approach in terms of scales, sectors and actors; and (3) acknowledgement of
path dependency and incremental policy-making. Our analysis is based on a comparative case study approach, including analysis of the governance in fi ve environmental risk areas: chemical pollution, overfi shing, eutrophication, invasive alien
species and pollution from shipping. The chapter highlights an existing governance
mode that is ill-equipped to deal with the complexity of environmental problems in
a holistic manner, with systematic attention to uncertainty, plurality of values, ambiguity and limited knowledge, while also pointing at important recent cognitive and
institutional developments that can favour pathways towards refl exive governance
and consequently EAM.
Keywords Baltic Sea • Ecosystem approach to management • Holistic approach •
Marine governance • Refl exive governance
M. Boström (*)
School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences , Örebro University ,
SE-701 82 Örebro , Sweden
e-mail: magnus.bostrom@oru.se
S. Grönholm
Åbo Akademi University , Turku , Finland
e-mail: sgronhol@abo.fi
B. Hassler
School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies , Södertörn University ,
14189 Huddinge , Sweden
e-mail: bjorn.hassler@sh.se