BalticWaters is an independent foundation engaged in efforts to improve the Baltic Sea environment. In their Program for research projects and pre-studies, they awards grants to projects that "have the potential to contribute to a healthier Baltic Sea environment and can form the basis for knowledge-based decisions for better management of our inland sea". Two researchers at the the Department for Ecology, Environment and Plantsciences has been awarded funding for their projects:

Understanding and protecting the diversity of Baltic Sea herring populations

Monika Winder, Stockholm University

The Baltic Sea herring stock consists of a diversity of populations with different adaptations and migration strategies. The aim of the project is to investigate adaptations of herring in coastal ecosystems in the Stockholm archipelago. The results will provide information on which subpopulations of herring thrive best in this important part of the Baltic Sea – information that is important to guide management measures to secure coastal ecosystem health and protect the integrity and productivity of herring stocks.

Does bottom trawling affect blue carbon storage in the Baltic Sea?

Clare Bradshaw, Stockholms University

Baltic Sea sediments can play an important role as carbon sinks. At the same time, trawling is carried out on these bottoms. Recent global studies estimate that bottom disturbance caused by trawling can impair carbon storage as it suspends the sediment. Clare will investigate the effects of bottom trawling on carbon turnover in the Baltic Sea. The results will provide important new data to support climate, environment, and fisheries management in the region.
 

Read more about the BalticWaters foundation and the other projects on their website