Let's save the Baltic Sea together
photo Lasse Hendriks
Eutrophication and biodiversity loss plague the lead star of the sailing competition — the Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea suffers from eutrophication — it is caused by the excessive nutrients that flow into the sea from 14 countries. As a result, there is a lot of blue-green algae in the Baltic Sea. In the worst-affected areas, it prevents people from enjoying the sea — for instance, they cannot go swimming. Blue-green algae are created by favourable weather conditions – a warm and sunny summer fosters blue-green algae blooms.
Underwater biodiversity loss is progressing fast
Eutrophication is also the main cause of underwater biodiversity loss in the Baltic Sea, which is accelerating year by year. Biodiversity loss is progressing faster in the Baltic Sea than in any other sea in the world, as it is a shallow, low-saline sea in which the water changes slowly.
The John Nurminen Foundation operates with donated funds
Work to prevent nutrient runoff reduces both eutrophication and biodiversity loss. The John Nurminen Foundation cooperates with a wide range of actors to prevent nutrient runoff in many countries bordering the Baltic Sea. The Foundation strives to reduce emissions from agriculture, forestry and marine transport and restore nature in Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Åland Islands, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania and Latvia. This work is funded through donations from individuals and companies.
Getting emissions under control throughout the Baltic Sea
One of the outcomes of the Foundation’s efforts is that a large source of emissions – those caused by the marine transport of fertilisers – is now prevented at Finnish ports. Emissions from forestry are managed by directing runoff waters to peatlands, and nutrient emissions from agriculture are prevented by spreading gypsum on fields. A John Nurminen Foundation project carried out in 2022-2023 in the Åland Islands — the host of the ORC European Championship — reduced nutrient emissions by treating more than one million square metres of fields with gypsum.
Those who understand the importance of the sea are more willing to protect it
The John Nurminen Foundation is the most significant actor in the Baltic Sea region from the point of view of the impact of its work. During its 30-year history, the Foundation has carried out around 40 marine protection projects. Thanks to these marine protection projects and cooperation, the phosphorus load in the Gulf of Finland has been reduced by as much as 75% since 2005. The Foundation also disseminates information about the sea and promotes maritime literacy with books, exhibitions, cultural events and more. Communicating the importance of the sea is important — without this knowledge, people do not feel close to the sea and do not pay enough attention to protecting it.
Help the John Nurminen Foundation to continue its significant and impactful efforts to save the Baltic Sea by making a donation.
Donate to your marine protection team: ORC EUROPEANS 2024