The Alliance for European Seas is restoring a green belt from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean
As the third UN Ocean Conference wraps up in Nice, France, the newly established Alliance for European Seas is actively seeking new members and launching larger-scale restoration efforts than ever before. The Alliance enables knowledge exchange, cross-border collaboration, and the testing of methodologies across different conservation settings.
Biodiversity loss is advancing globally – including beneath the surface. Marine ecosystems are suffering, and species are disappearing. One such ecosystem, vital to marine life, is formed by seagrass meadows, which are threatened by human activity.
To combat biodiversity loss, the Alliance for European Seas – founded by John Nurminen Foundation (Finland), Fondation de la Mer (France), and MEDSEA Foundation (Italy) – is taking concrete action to restore underwater habitats.
Together, the Alliance has transplanted over 60,000 seedlings of common eelgrass in the Baltic Sea and Posidonia oceanica cuttings in the Mediterranean Sea. Another 45,000 are in the planning phase.
“We, three independent European foundations, came together through our hands-on conservation work restoring seagrass meadows. We have since carried out the important restoration work, discovered other areas for collaboration, and are committed to strengthening our efforts for a healthier future for our seas and ocean”, explains Annamari-Arrakoski Engardt, CEO of John Nurminen Foundation.
A green belt of healthy seagrass meadows
The goal of the Alliance for European Seas is to restore ocean health from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean – creating a “green belt” of thriving seagrass meadows that spans the seas.
“Our fieldwork has demonstrated that with the right combination of science, local engagement, and long-term monitoring, restoration is not only possible – it is replicable. This is not just environmental work – it is a climate strategy, and we are calling on both public and private actors to invest in the sea and accelerate this transformation”, says Piera Pala, President of MEDSEA Foundation.
Seagrass meadows – formed by Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean and common eelgrass in the Baltic – are biodiversity hotspots that play a critical role in underwater ecosystems. They improve water quality, produce oxygen, store carbon, and protect coastlines, while providing essential habitat for countless marine species.
Working together towards healthy coastal waters
In addition to restoring underwater habitats, the Alliance aims to reduce the pressure of human activity on the sea through advocacy, efforts to combat marine pollution, and initiatives to promote ocean literacy. These activities are guided by the long-term goal of achieving healthy coastal waters in European seas.
“Through the Alliance, we can share knowledge, test methodologies, and scale impact across different ecological and social contexts, building a stronger foundation for marine conservation in the region”, highlights Piera Pala.
From a vision of cooperation to a growing alliance
The Alliance began in 2022 at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, where John Nurminen Foundation, Fondation de la Mer and MEDSEA Foundation initiated collaboration for marine ecosystem protection. Now, three years later, seagrass meadow restoration is well underway, and the newly established Alliance is about to expand.
“We now want to accelerate the work we have undertaken by creating a green corridor of seagrass meadows around all European coasts. To increase our impact, new partners will join the Alliance for European Seas after UNOC-3”, says Alexandre Iaschine, CEO of Fondation de la Mer.
Photos of common eelgrass in the Baltic Sea, by Pekka Tuuri, here. (password: jnskuvat)
Further information, media and interview requests:
Helmi Pörhölä, Communications Specialist / John Nurminen Foundation
helmi.porhola@jnfoundation.fi
+358 50 471 1078
Agence VLC / Fondation de la Mer
Valérie Leseigneur valerie@agencevlc.com, + 33 (0)6 68 80 37 35
Joy Lion joy@agencevlc.com, + 33 (0)7 62 59 65 86
Giulia Eremita, Press Office / MEDSEA Foundation
giuliaeremita@medseafoundation.org
+39 348 036 0916
Useful links:
Alliance for European Seas website here
SeaToo project in the Baltic Sea here
Restoring Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean sea here
Proteger la biodiversité marine ici