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Blooming of algae Blooming of algae in the Baltic Sea is causing pollution by toxins. ©Darius Daunys	After storm The Baltic Sea is one of the oldest trading routes in Europe, with some of the busiest maritime traffic in the world. Unfortunately, it means that lot of trash is discarded from the vessels. Sometimes the reason is accidents, but sometimes people just believe that sea is endless dumping ground which can digest everything. At times finds at coasts may be rather surprising... ©Markus Vetemaa	Smallscale fishery Importance and profitability of small-scale fishery is strongly declining in the Baltic countries. During the soviet period Salme (Saaremaa, Estonia) was very important fishing village. Today only few elderly people keep the profession of fisherman using sometimes rather amortized and unsafe techniques. ©Markus Vetemaa
Modified gears Due to the growing number of grey seals seal-fishery conflict is increasing in scale. Besides negative impact to seals – bycatch - this conflict bears costs also to fishermen. In West-Saaremaa fishing with traditional fyke nets is already almost impossible, because seals can tear holes into the traditional gear material. Needless to say, fish swim away… In the framework of the LIFE project “Marine Protected Areas in the Eastern Baltic Sea” scientists try to help fishermen in solving this problem (tests with super strong gear material on the photo). The solution to the problem is not just an economic issue – it is clear that increasing hostility of fishermen towards seals may result in illegal actions towards the "furry bandits". However, tests with seal-safe fishing gears show that peaceful co-existence is possible. ©Markus Vetemaa	Use of alternative fishing gear Use of alternative fishing gear for fish-catcher. The seals can't damage this catcher. ©Markus Vetemaa	Seal-safe net material Alternative fishing net material, which can't be broken by seals has also other benefits - it does not overgrow with algae as traditional nets do. ©Markus Vetemaa
New bird island Accidents with ships have taken place for centuries and the shallow grounds of the Baltic Sea still remain to be the last ports for many vessels. This cargo vessel from Greece rests some kilometres west from Saaremaa already for two decades. In the last years, growing population of cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) has find safe home on the rusty decks. In 2006 totally more than 600 nests were counted on that abandoned vessel. ©Markus Vetemaa

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