Based on the findings of three expeditions, Oceana has proposed 13 areas of high ecological importance to become new marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea. Most of them host species and breeding grounds classified by HELCOM as threatened and vulnerable. Species like the rare Haploops crustacean, and the blue mussel-like horse mussel, though not … Read more
Several scientific studies provide proof of the successes of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in enhancing biodiversity and benefiting sea life. MPAs provide threatened species and living breeding grounds a place to rebuild and flourish. For example, areas facing reduced pressure, where fisheries have been banned or restricted, have healthier communities and often host fish that … Read more
I’ve spent over a year analyzing hours of expedition videos taken by our underwater robot (the ROV). I have to say that you quickly start recognizing the usual suspects of fish and algae. One of the fish that is most commonly seen is the eelpout (Zoarces viviparous). It is a slimy skinned fish with lots … Read more
Last week, Oceana concluded its 3rd annual Baltic Sea expedition. The marine conservation organization for the first time focused solely on coastal areas. The expedition was aimed at exposing the shortcomings of the current network of marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea, and documenting fisheries with the ultimate goal of ensuring effective, scientifically based … Read more
Today, Oceana concluded its six-week long Baltic Sea expedition in Szczeci?ski, Poland. Though this is the third year the marine conservation organization has conducted an expedition to document marine life in the Baltic Sea, it is the first time the multinational team of divers and researchers targeted solely the coastal areas. Oceana also used this … Read more
During our most recent expedition in the Baltic Sea, we stumbled upon this guy along the coast of the Åland islands between Sweden and Finland. It’s a European flounder (Platichthys flesus), or Skrubbskädda, as we call them in Sweden. The European flounder is a flat fish with an oval shape that prefers to spend its … Read more
Today was the last day of the Oceana Baltic Sea Expedition. At least, formally. I concluded it in a presentation and press conference at the University of Sczcecin (Poland), where the Dean, Professor Andrzej Zawal, welcomed and introduced the event to thirty or forty university academics. It was an excellent opportunity to tighten up our … Read more
Today, after concluding our field work, the day was mostly filled up with logistics: packing all the equipment, getting the vehicles ready for a long, long drive back to Spain and finally leaving Poland. This could be the final piece of the 2013 Baltic Coastal Expedition blog, but it is not over yet. While the … Read more
Time flies and we are almost at the end of our great adventure in the Baltic. After four weeks of intensive hard work we have to return to Madrid. We packed the ROV and sent it to Barcelona, then we wrapped all our stuff in Poland and started our return. But we had one last chance … Read more
Today is the last day of fieldwork. The rest of work will be done from different venues and it´ll consist of video reviewing, data collection, documentation, presentations and a long etc… The ROV team: Xavier, Maribel, Albert and Mike, worked from the other side of the bay on shore operations and we (the divers) drove … Read more
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We have already protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea life - but there is still more to be done.
Oceana in Europe gratefully acknowledges EU funding support.
