BaltCOP

The Baltic Sea is in a bad state, primarily due to eutrophication, meaning the over-enrichment of the water with nutrients. The effects of eutrophication are both visible, with annual algae blooms covering the sea, and invisible, with dead zones spreading across the seafloor where no marine life can survive.  Eutrophication of the sea is mainly driven by nutrient runoff from land – so that is where we need to act.

Healthy freshwater ecosystems can buffer and prevent excess nutrients from entering the sea, but over the years, many wetlands have been drained and rivers straightened. While restoration efforts are ongoing, the pace does not match the urgent need. This project focuses on testing the catchment approach, employing people to work in specific watersheds and engaging landowners in those areas to motivate, support, and drive restoration work across 3 catchment areas in Estonia, Latvia and Sweden.