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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Long-term feeding ecology of harbour seals: Implication for sustainable ecosystem-based management
Following successful conservation efforts, harbour seals in the Skagerrak have recovered from record low levels in the 1970s. -
Coastal Ecosystem Service Provisioning in Warmer and Darker Waters
How is marine life affected when coastal waters become both browner and warmer? -
FishLinks – scrutinizing the impact of tourism-driven fish consumption on reef fish communities
The FishLinks project is a socio-ecological study in tropical seascapes where we investigate whether tourism in Tanzania contributes to unsustainably high fishing pressure, and if so, in what way. -
AlgTox: competence center for algal toxin
A better understanding of which toxins algae produce and under what circumstances will become increasingly important. To meet these challenges, we are now launching a competence centre for the analysis of algal toxins and the biology of toxic algae.
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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Current target for sustainable fishing involves unnecessarily high risks
A new study shows that the level currently used as a benchmark for maximum sustainable yield carries a higher risk of stock collapse than previously assumed. Almost the same long-term catches can be achieved with slightly lower fishing pressure, but with a significantly lower risk to the stocks. -
SLU’s Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby has now closed for good
After more than 100 years of operation, Sweden’s first facility for compensatory fish farming of salmon and trout has now permanently closed its doors. -
Interdisciplinary approaches to ecosystem restoration
As Europe works to restore its natural environments, researchers at SLU are exploring new ways to reconnect ecosystems and people. By linking ecology, society and culture, they aim to create landscapes that are both resilient and meaningful. -
Local fishing closure improved European eel stock on the Swedish west coast
The number of eels leaving the Swedish west coast to spawn in the Sargasso Sea has increased since eel fishing was closed in 2012. This is shown in a new study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), which for the first time evaluates the effects of the closure.