Abstract |
In 1999 the Finnish government decided to concentrate the management of all state-owned land and water areas to Metsähallitus, which is an unincorporated state enterprise responsible of the management and protection of the state-owned land and water areas in Finland. For example, areas from the Finnish Defence Forces were moved to Metsähallitus. Many of these sites were islands that had been closed to the public for several decades. These sites contain a very rich biodiversity and a strong cultural heritage. This presentation on how Metsähallitus opened two old military islands to the visitors is a practical example on what kind of management issues can rise when opening new marine protected areas to coastal-marine recreation. |