Åland Sea Map

CompletedMarine Protected AreasProject grant

Summary

In this project, researchers from Åbo Akademi University mapped the underwater marine nature of the Åland Islands to enable the creation of new Marine Protected Areas (MPA). After extensive field inventories were carried out, a site-selection analysis using a MARXAN methodology was done to identify the most suitable nature areas to incorporate into the MPA network of Åland Islands, considering also socio-economical aspects. The project made it possible for Åland’s regional government to make knowledge-based decisions about the optimal locations of new Marine Protected Areas. This cooperation between researchers and political decision-makers is a key example of how BaltCF can fund research: If there is a clear plan for using the results to achieve tangible improvements for the Baltic Sea.

Project Data

Beneficiary

Logo Åbo Akademi University Åbo Akademi University

Co-funders

  • Government of Åland
  • European Maritime and
  • Fisheries Fund

Country

Finland

Duration

2019/06/01 - 2023/12/31

Budget

Total: €822,970.36
BaltCF funding: €230,000.00

Links

Two divers under water in full extension. The diver on the right is looking directly into the camera.
Large lake area photographed from above. It is very lightly built-up, interspersed with forests and above all there is a lot of water, interrupted only by the occasional stone emerging from the water.
Littoral covered with red algae and blue mussels, common jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

Project Results

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Almost 40 km² of new marine protected areas have been established or designated by the end of the project.

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270 ha of those have already been registered as Natura 2000 areas, the rest has been reported and is awaiting registration.

Another 25 km2 of new MPAs are still to be established until 2030.
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