Rewilding Oder Delta workshop shows that the restoration of rocky reefs in the Baltic Sea is of great ecological importance for the protection of biodiversity and at the same time offers benefits for fisheries, tourism and coastal protection.
Rewilding Oder Delta held workshop on restoration measures
Upon the invitation of Rewilding Oder Delta, almost 50 representatives of various interest groups, nature conservation organisations, federal and state authorities met at the Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) end of January to discuss ecosystem services provided by reefs in the Baltic Sea and to jointly develop recommendations for their restoration. The workshop is the second of a series in a project funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection entitled ‘Benefits of restoring marine ecosystems and their services in the German Baltic Sea’.
Restoration of rocky reefs – practical example: Nienhagen Reef
In the past century, many reefs in the Baltic Sea were destroyed or damaged when stones were removed for coastal protection and construction measures. The restoration of such reef structures offers a variety of ecological and economic benefits. During a boat excursion and using the example of the Nienhagen reef nearby Rostock, which was created in 2003, workshop participants were able to explore for themselves that stones and reef structures are densely overgrown with numerous bottom-dwelling organisms and algae. The cod in particular, whose population is threatened by overfishing, use the reef as a nursery and shelter with rich food supply.
Workshop participants discuss ecological and economic benefits of reef restoration measures
The high ecological importance of reef restoration was also emphasised in the scientific presentations on both days of the workshop. Both reef localisations, near the coast and reefs in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (outside the 12 nautical miles), were considered. In groups, the participants addressed questions on challenges, opportunities and solutions for the restoration of reefs in the Baltic Sea. There was broad agreement that the restoration of reefs, whether close to shore or in deeper water, is of great importance for the protection of biodiversity in the Baltic Sea. Socio-economic opportunities were also identified such as those arising from the improvement of living conditions for commercially utilised fish species for (recreational) fisheries.
Positive outlook with rewilding for the restoration of threatened habitats
Against the backdrop of the implementation of the EU regulation on nature restoration, precisely such measures for the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems will be defined in the coming years. #Rewilding promotes the acceptance of such measures by involving local people and various stakeholder groups.
Text: Katrin Wollny-Goerke, Laura Meinecke
Editing: Ulrike Frenzel