Long-term feeding ecology of harbour seals
Following successful conservation efforts, harbour seals in the Skagerrak have recovered from record low levels in the 1970s. This research project analyses more than 2,000 diet samples collected over the past two decades to improve understanding of the seals’ ecological role and to support sustainable, ecosystem-based management.
Moved Trawling Boundary in the Baltic Sea – Scientific Follow-up
The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM), on behalf of the Swedish Government, is carrying out an scientific project involving a relocated trawling boundary in the Baltic Sea. The aim is to examine the effects on herring (Clupea harengus) stocks.
No-fishing areas
In no-fishing areas, fishing is not permitted, thereby protecting species and their habitats. At the Department of Aquatic Resources, we monitor the development of Sweden's no-fishing areas and provide recommendations on how they can be best designed.
Bycatch of protected species in fisheries
Bycatch – the unintentional capture of non-target species, remains a major threat to many protected, endangered, and threatened species such as seabirds, marine mammals, and sharks.
Marine extreme weather
Heatwaves in the sea can affect fish and other organisms, and extreme storms can reduce fishing opportunities. In this project, researchers are studying the effects of heatwaves on fish and food webs through models and experiments.
FishLinks
In the FishLinks project, researchers are investigating whether tourism in Tanzania contributes to unsustainable fishing pressure, and if so, in what way.
Research projects
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Round goby – turning risk into resource
This project aimed to provide increased understanding about the effect of round goby in Swedish waters and how dispersal can be limited, density reduced and the possibility to use the species as a food resource. -
WIND4COCO - Wind farms in marine ecosystems
In the research project Wind4CoCo, we investigate the long-term effects of offshore wind farms on fish and biodiversity, and how renewable energy production can coexist with nature conservation and fisheries -
Food web assessment approaches
The project uses ecosystem models and integrated analyses to understand long-term changes in the Baltic Sea marine environment. -
Waterways for Marine Diversity
The Marine Waterways project studies fish populations and key spawning sites in Åland’s diverse coastal habitats, while also mapping recreational fishing in collaboration with the local community. The aim is to contribute to long-term sustainable fish stocks.
Research areas
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Algtox - Knowledge Center on Algal Toxins
We can expect toxic algal blooms to become more common as the climate changes. A better understanding of which toxins algae produce and under what circumstances this happens will therefore become increasingly important, and this we aim to investigate within Algtox. -
AquaGenomics: linking genes and genomes to population and ecosystem health in a changing world
We combine genomics and ecology to uncover evolutionary processes shaping aquatic life in a changing world. -
Fish in food-webs: ecology & evolution of aquatic communities
We link variation in body size and community composition to ecological and evolutionary dynamics in changing environments. In our research we combine dynamic models, experiments and analysis of long-term ecological data from lake, coast and open sea systems. -
Offshore renewable energy
Renewable energy is growing globally, including offshore wind. Key questions arise about impacts on marine life, fisheries, and other uses. The Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua) offers expert knowledge to support marine renewable energy development.
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Fiskbarometern: The status of Sweden’s fish and shellfish stocks
At Fiskbarometern, SLU presents the status and trends of fish and shellfish stocks in Swedish marine and freshwater environments. The assessments for 2025 are now complete. The situation is most concerning in the Baltic Proper, while perch in Lake Vänern are on the rise. -
Sustainable on paper, but not in the sea: new study examines fisheries in the Northeast Atlantic
Fishing pressure in the Northeast Atlantic has decreased and fish stocks are recovering. However, a new study shows that the reference level used in fisheries advice gives an overly optimistic assessment of stock status. We risk fishing too intensively before stocks reach a sustainable biomass. -
Where do the giant cod in the Åland Sea actually come from? New research provides more clues
A new study from SLU shows that the fast growing cod in the Åland Sea probably do not reproduce locally but instead depend on larvae transported there by ocean currents. At the same time, chemical analyses indicate that this stock component may be unique and possibly represent its own population. -
Environmental adaptation of hydropower facilities requires a holistic approach and systematic monitoring
Sweden faces a unique opportunity to environmentally adapt hydropower and restore important environments in our aquatic ecosystems. However, success will require a holistic approach and systematic monitoring, according to two new studies from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).