Preparations for underwater filming
We still know too little about the seas and oceans, and many animals and plants even on the North Sea and Baltic Sea coast appear strange to us.
Properly targeted and successful nature conservation requires sound scientific data. To meet this need, BfN has long coordinated and funded basic and applied marine research in consultation with the German Environment Ministry. One main focus of research follows on from European conservation requirements and recommendations on endangered and declining species and habitats under the two regional marine conservation agreements – the OSPAR Convention for the North-East Atlantic and the Helsinki Convention for the Baltic Sea. The second main focus is on investigating the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems. The third main research focus consists of long-term monitoring of species and habitats in order to assess the ecological status of marine areas. This is covered in the Monitoring section.
Littorina research ship
Monitoring sea floor mapping on board ship.