Sustainable Uses of Baltic Marine Resources

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The Baltic Sea faces significant challenges: fishery declines, severe marine pollution, the effects of climate change as well as an increasing competition for space. At the same time new scientific and technological developments provide opportunities for innovative uses of marine resources which do not only have the power to generate sustainable regional economic development but also proactively contribute to improve the state of the ecosystem. SUBMARINER focused attention on: • Macroalgae Harvesting & Cultivation for nutrient recycling&biogas • Microalgae Cultivation for biofuel production • Mussel Cultivation for nutrient recycling, feed and fertilisers • Reed Harvesting for nutrient recycling, biofuel production&construction material • Fish Aquaculture based on new, environmentally friendly technology and combined, integrated mariculture systems • Blue Biotechnology for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial purposes • Wave Energy to support alternative local energy production • Additional Uses at Offshore Wind Parks for efficient use of Baltic Sea space The impacts of these new marine uses on the environment, their economic feasibility and regional applicability are still poorly understood. This makes it difficult for decision-makers to judge which uses are most desirable and how they should be promoted, while discouraging potentially damaging ones. The SUBMARINER Compendium is the first ever assessment of the potential of these new sustainable uses in the environmental, socioeconomic and legal conditions of the Baltic Sea. The SUBMARINER Roadmap identifies those activities which are necessary to be undertaken in the coming years. They will be promoted and facilitated by the SUBMARINER Network, which has been recognised as a flagship initiative under the Priority Area “Inno” of the EUSBSR. ACTIVITIES I. Compendium: A comprehensive inventory of current and new uses taking into account opportunities and resources across the BSR, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, state and availability of technologies, market chances as well as the current regulatory framework. II. Regional Strategies: Testing new uses in real conditions through feasibility studies, pilot cultivations as well as development of regional roadmaps. III. BSR Roadmap: Recommending necessary new actions to further promote beneficial uses of Baltic marine resources. IV. BSR Network: Bringing relevant players together through cooperation events, roundtables and seminars and a virtual information and exchange platform, by developing a selfstanding Network structure (mission, business plan, etc.) which has successfully gained flagship project status under the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR). SUBMARINER was led by the Maritime Institute in Gdańsk in collaboration with nineteen partners from all EU countries around the Baltic Sea Region, including applied research institutes, regional & national authorities as well as NGOs.

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