The Institute of Coastal Research

Our mission

• We carry out fish surveys along the entire coast of Sweden as part of the national and regional environmental monitoring.
• We track the development of fish populations, as fish are important environmental indicators. They reveal the state of the coastal environment.
• We collect, store and make high-quality data on fish in Swedish coastal waters—from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Skagerrak— publicly available.
• These data are used to understand and monitor the role of fish in the ecosystem and to develop advice for ecosystem-based fisheries management.
• We also map habitats and conduct spatial analyses to support marine planning and the designation of protected areas. Much of our advisory work informs decision-making by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM).
• In addition, we study the biological effects of intake and discharge of cooling water from Swedish nuclear power plants.

Research that solves real-world problems

Our research focuses on both the status and composition of individual fish stocks, as well as the dynamics of the entire coastal ecosystem. For example, we study how climate change influences fish communities, and how the size and growth of fish affect interactions between individuals, entire food webs, and how these webs respond to fishing pressure.

We also investigate interactions between fisheries, birds, and marine mammals. This includes studying the impact of seals and cormorants on coastal ecosystems and developing seal-safe, selective fishing gear for small-scale coastal fisheries.

Closely linked to our research, we also train the next generation of researchers, fish ecologists, and environmental monitoring professionals.

Collaborate with us

We are eager to share our knowledge, but it is equally important for us to gain insights and ideas from the wider community.

At the Institute of Coastal Research, we collaborate with all major Swedish universities, around ten international universities, fisheries and marine environmental institutes around the Baltic Sea, as well as international organisations such as the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). We also work closely with national and regional authorities, interest groups, and the fishing industry.

We welcome enquiries about potential collaboration.

Research infrastructure

The Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby

SLU's operations at the Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby are being phased out. The final release of farmed salmon and sea trout will take place in summer 2025, and the station is scheduled to close in November 2025.

Fish age laboratories

We specialise in age and growth analysis of fish. Each year, our laboratories determine the age of over 10,000 fish as part of Sweden’s national environmental monitoring programmes.

Lake Biotestsjön

Biotest Lake is an approximately 90-hectare enclosed water body that receives heated cooling water from the Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant. This creates a unique environment approximately 8°C warmer than the surrounding sea, while otherwise remaining entirely natural.

Our local offices

The Institute of Coastal Research is headquartered in Öregrund and Uppsala, with local offices in Simpevarp, Väröbacka, Lysekil, and Älvkarleby.

The Institute of Coastal Research in Simpevarp

The Simpevarp office focuses on environmental monitoring along the coast of the Baltic Proper and data collection under the EU Data Collection Framework. It is also responsible for the environmental monitoring programme for the Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant.

The Institute of Coastal Research in Väröbacka

The Väröbacka office is responsible for environmental monitoring and data collection along the Kattegat and Skagerrak coasts. It oversees monitoring programmes for the Ringhals and Barsebäck Nuclear Power Plants, as well as the programme at the Södra Cell Värö pulp mill.

The Institute of Coastal Research in Lysekil

In Lysekil, we conduct research on the interactions between protected species and fisheries. We work in collaboration with coastal fishers to develop gentle, seal-safe, and selective fishing gear for small-scale coastal fisheries.

The Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby

SLU’s operations at the Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby are being phased out (see above). The final fish releases will occur in summer 2025, and the station will close in November 2025.

Contact us

Visiting addresses

• The Institute of Coastal Research, Skolgatan 6, 742 42 Öregrund. Find your way (Google-maps).
• The Fisheries Research Station – Älvkarleby, Brobacken, 814 94 Älvkarleby. Find your way (Google-maps).
• The Institute of Coastal Research – Simpevarp 100, 572 95 Figeholm. Find your way (Google-maps).
• The Institute of Coastal Research – Väröbacka, Yttre Skällåkra 6, 432 65 Väröbacka. Find your way (Google-maps).