The power of storytelling: how narratives shape marine conservation and uses along the German coast of the Baltic Sea

Abstract The intensification of marine uses presents major challenges for the governance and conservation of marine spaces. This is particularly evident in the Baltic Sea, one of the most heavily impacted marine regions globally. In Schleswig–Holstein, Germany, a proposal to establish a national park along its coastline sparked considerable opposition, turning the public debate into a battleground of competing narratives. Proponents portrayed the national park as a solution to the environmental problems of the Baltic Sea, while opponents pushed narratives that fuelled fears of losing access to marine areas and livelihoods that quickly dominated the debate. Ultimately, the national park proposal was abandoned. This study applies the Narrative Policy Framework to analyse narratives used in the discourse surrounding the national park proposal based on 224 articles from two regional newspapers. One key finding is the strategic use of narrative characters in shaping the debate. Proponents cast the Baltic Sea as a victim of environmental degradation, while opponents portrayed local stakeholders as victims harmed by politicians as villains. Both groups shared an anthropocentric belief system, prioritising human interests over environmental concerns, posing a likely barrier to effective marine conservation. The national park debate serves as a microcosm of the general tensions between ecological protection and economic growth, reflecting the challenges of governing the Baltic Sea amidst growing industrialisation. The case demonstrates that marine conservation presents not only technical or ecological challenges in its execution but also challenges in crafting persuasive narratives to motivate action.