SeaToo

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Nature loss is occurring at an unprecedented rate in human history. It is a global problem, but can be seen locally: the disappearance of a single key species in a forest, meadow or bay can mean the loss of an entire local ecosystem. It will result in the sixth mass extinction, which will be caused by a single species – humans. We use natural resources faster than nature can replenish them.

Nature loss is also accelerating in the Baltic Sea: just under a quarter of the habitat types along the Finnish coast are endangered, and another quarter are degrading. The main cause of underwater nature loss in the Baltic Sea is eutrophication, which is being exacerbated by climate change.

Stopping nature loss requires the proactive conservation and restoration of nature and a reduction in eutrophication emissions – but above all, it requires a change in our values, attitudes and actions.

Restoring habitats will help the Baltic Sea to withstand climate change

The SeaToo project is restoring underwater habitats, the first of which will be common eelgrass meadows. Common eelgrass forms extensive and dense seabed meadows that teem with life, just like coral reefs.

Common eelgrass meadows provide nourishment and protection for dozens of Baltic Sea species, and their roots bind bottom sediment, thereby reducing erosion and water turbidity. They also improve water quality by binding nutrients.

Common eelgrass meadows have declined in many areas of the Baltic Sea, mainly as a result of eutrophication. Although transplanting common eelgrass in areas from which it has disappeared is a relatively new method, it has yielded good results in recent years in the coastal waters of both Finland and Sweden. Research from the University of Gothenburg has shown that biodiversity can quickly return to a transplanted meadow: after only two growth seasons, the meadow transplanted for the study had nearly the same number of invertebrates as a natural meadow.

The SeaToo project is restoring seagrass meadows along the coasts of both Finland and Sweden. In the saltier waters of southern Sweden, seagrass meadows also act as carbon sinks.
The project is also restoring habitats by reviving stone reefs in the coastal waters of southern Sweden and restoring sandy bottoms to create suitable growing conditions for common eelgrass. The project also involves voluntary divers who map out potential restoration sites.

Stopping nature loss requires a change in the relationship between humans and sea

Humans are using marine and other natural resources faster than nature can replenish them. Stopping nature loss therefore requires a change in attitudes and actions.

In addition to restoring marine nature, the SeaToo project is seeking ways for humans to connect with the sea through art and science. Our goal is to make a lasting change not only in the condition of the sea, but in how we think and act towards it. In this project, we will be hosting participatory workshops at restoration sites, so that we can work with local people to find sustainable ways of using the sea, while also learning from traditional customs and local experience.

We will be working with scientists and artists to build a communal piece of music.

SeaToo supports the objectives of the EU Nature Restoration Law

The EU Nature Restoration Law is seeking to restore degraded ecosystems, and the target is for restorative measures to cover at least 20 per cent of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. For coastal EU countries, this also means taking significant action underwater. Reaching this target will require input from both the private and third sectors. The project will also be involving companies in its collaborative work.