LIFE20 IPE/FI/000020 - LIFE-IP BIODIVERSEA - Enhancing the Marine and Coastal Biodiversity of the Baltic Sea in Finland and Promoting the Sustainable use of Marine Resources

LIFE-IP Biodiversea is the largest collaborative project carried out in Finland to safeguard the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea. The main aim of the project is to enhance the protection of marine nature and promote the sustainable use of natural resources in the marine and coastal areas of Finland. Among other things, the project will prepare a restoration plan for the entire coast of Finland.

The Natural Resource Institute Finland is involved in developing monitoring methods for nesting bird populations in the archipelago, e.g. by expanding the monitoring to also cover the important nesting areas of the mid- and inner archipelago and by also starting the counts from the boat. Other areas important to seabirds, such as feeding and wintering areas, are mapped not only in the archipelago but also in the outer sea. Based on the new information, it is possible to plan nationally, and internationally coordinated actions aimed at maintaining the good condition of the seabird populations in the Baltic Sea.

Many of the coast's important spawning areas for spring-spawning fish are suffering due to eutrophication, construction and other coastal modifications. During the project, the Natural Resources Institute will restore coastal flads and gloes, and thus aims to support the natural reproduction of fish locally. In addition, the project aims to improve the situation of the extremely endangered sea-spawning grayling in the Quark and Bay of Bothnia areas by generating information about the remaining reproduction habitats and by supporting the population by releasing larvae and juvenile graylings in selected areas.

New information is being produced about the state of whitefish populations in the sea area, especially in the Gulf of Finland. In addition, the project will develop methods for monitoring the condition of whitefish stocks on a wider scale, as well as develop indicators for monitoring the condition of the sea.

LIFE-IP Biodiversea project is conducted together with Metsähallitus National Parks Finland (project coordinator), Ministry of the Environment, Finnish Environment Institute, Provincial Government of Åland, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Åbo Akademi University, Geological Survey of Finland, and Baltic Sea Action Group.