BalticSeaSafe project aims for creating a well justified guidance, resulting in recommendations and position papers on environmental monitoring and license conditions for cultivation of seaweed in the Baltic Sea with regard to environmental safety. The work is building on the work of Baltic GRASS project and its recommendation for future actions.

BalticSeaSafe will raise awareness on environmental benefits and risks of algae cultivation in the Baltic Sea region, especially in matters of biohazard. In the last 10 years, Baltic Sea Region actors incl. politicians, authorities, entrepreneurs, consumers are very much preoccupied with eutrophication and future measures to improve environmental status of the Baltic Sea. Although seaweed has a very green and safe image, it is important to secure that the assumptions are valid and build on fact-checked decision making. In the next 5 years, direction of the search will develop expectations and a vision for algae sector in the region and thereby bullet-proofing algae benefits, incl. at scale, is an important milestone on the way to the market.

BalticSeaSafe will also build capacities among policy makers in suggesting a fair unified and coherent licensing regulation reflecting the real risks and also industry’s needs. Currently, licensing for setting up new farms is an important barrier for algae investors and entrepreneurs. A new standardised licensing process can effectively unlock investments in algae, by including algae in the maritime spatial plans and allocating areas suitable for algae farming, and also develop a process that is robust, fair, functional and effective.

The 1st workshop will focus at the most important environmental risks and biohazards related to the up-scaling of seaweed farming specifically for the Baltic Sea. A preliminary working paper will be provided to the workshop participants ahead f the workshop in due time, to facilitate and mainstream the discussion.

The workshop participants will be representatives of academia, consultancies, NGOs, environmental authorities and seaweed farmers as well as other entrepreneurs interested in seaweed.

A report with recommendations for necessary data collection and monitoring practices at the seaweed farms. Contribution to monitoring strategies – environmental policy

The 2nd workshop will focus on the regulatory issues for seaweed cultivation in the Baltic Sea, especially on licensing procedures and permit requirements. The results of the first workshop will feed into a preliminary second working document prepared and distributed to the participants before the workshop. The workshop participants will include environmental researchers, permit-issuing authorities, ministries, maritime spatial planning experts, legal scholars, and farmers.

The 2nd workshop will focus on the regulatory issues for seaweed cultivation in the Baltic Sea, especially on licensing procedures and permit requirements. The results of the first workshop will feed into a preliminary second working document prepared and distributed to the participants before the workshop. The workshop participants will include environmental researchers, permit-issuing authorities, ministries, maritime spatial planning experts, legal scholars, and farmers.

A position paper on necessary adaptations in environmental legislation. Contribution to environmental legislation aspects - environmental policy