Klints Bank is an offshore bank in the middle of the Baltic Proper, located about 50 km to the east of the Swedish island Gotland. This eastern part of the Gotland Basin is recognized as an important area for Baltic species and habitats, but large parts of the area remain unprotected. Twenty km east of the bank lays one of the deepest points in the Baltic Sea, the Gotland Deep, which reaches more than 250 m deep. At around 28 m deep, Klints Bank is a plateau with steep transition towards the surrounding Gotland Basin. The moraine-generated bank is isolated and exposed far out to sea, and is both deeper and smaller than the other offshore banks in the Baltic Sea.
Little is known about the ecology of Klints Bank and its surrounding area. Though more studies should be carried out to reliable assess its environmental importance, there is already some evidence of the value of Klints Bank. Many seabirds, for example, can be found in the water between the bank and the coast of Gotland. Furthermore, the Eastern Gotland Basin is an important spawning ground for fish, like cod and it is likely an important breeding and feeding ground for other species as well. The basin is also known to be an important area for cod spawning when salinity and oxygen levels are good, and the area along the eastern coast of Gotland island serves as a nursery area for cod.
Oceana conducted research at Klints Bank, its surroundings and the coastal area northeast of Gotland in 2011 and 2012, and documented several species and communities, including blue mussel beds, Saduria community, and sandbanks; the latter being considered as vulnerable by HELCOM.
A small part of Oceana’s proposal at the coast will be protected as a coastal MPA. Swedish Green party has supported in protecting the entire area. Also the fact that Sweden aims to protect 10% of its seas by 2020, can influence a protection of this area.
