The seas surrounding the Nordic coastlines are subjected to major environmental problems. The most immediate ones are eutrophication, overfishing, and hazardous substances. Supply of nutrients is the biggest problem in the Baltic Sea, while the Western Nordic and Arctic regions are threatened primarily by oil, and persistent toxins that are transported from far away. The ocean and coastal zones are a key area of focus in the Nordic Environmental Action Program for the years 2009-2012 and the goal is that all the Nordic seas to be used in a sustainable manner and having reached good environmental status by 2020. This brochure contains seven stories of how Nordic researchers join and together with their European neighbors try to solve the problems that human activities has led to. The overarching goal is to enhance the understanding of how marine ecosystems work and how we should manage our common resources. All the described researchprojects are funded by Sea and Air Quality Group/Aquatic Ecosystem group at the Nordic Council of Ministers.