This study investigates how the marine sediment proxies signal reflects dissolved oxygen levels in fjord basin water, to improve our understanding of the coastal marine deoxygenation that has been associated with the ongoing climate change. We use western Norwegian fjords to test how marine sediment proxies for dissolved oxygen perform. Such knowledge is needed to evaluate if recent reduced renewal of fjord basin waters is driven by anthropogenic impact or is within the range of natural variability. We have explored the potential and limitations of Mn/Ca, δ¹³C, benthic foraminiferal diversity, the calcareous and agglutinated foraminifera ratio, and the benthic foraminifera indicator species Stainforthia fusiformis, as potential proxies for bottom water oxygen concentrations. Among the fjords investigated in western Norway, seven stations are well-oxygenated, one is close to hypoxic oxygen levels, and one shows nearly anoxic conditions. The relative abundance of S. fusiformis shows the strongest potential as a tool for reconstructing past oxygen concentrations. The Mn/Ca and δ¹³C measured in the seawater also strongly correlate with dissolved oxygen. The foraminiferal diversity indices follow the oxygenation gradient in the fjords. The calcareous/agglutinated species ratio has limitations under anoxic conditions, where almost monospecific assemblage dominated by calcareous S. fusiformis was found. The signal of Mn/Ca and δ¹³C measured in shells of species Hyalinea balthica was difficult to assess due to low species abundance at some fjord sites. Hence, further analyses are necessary to employ the Mn/Ca and δ¹³C in foraminiferal shells as proxies for reconstructing past oxygen concentrations in fjords.