Project: Decoding spatiotemporal predator impact

Project information

Full project title
Decoding spatiotemporal predator impact: Adaptive ecosystem-based management of seals, cormorants, and coastal fish in the Baltic Sea
Project manager
Petter Tibblin
Other project members
Oscar Nordahl, Jonas Waldenström, Mariëlle van Toor, Adrian Berge, Fransesca Leggieri, Linnaeus University; Gustav Hellström, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet; Maria Ovegård, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet; Karl Lundström, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet.
Participating organizations
Linnaeus University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Financier
Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Formas
Timetable
1 Mar 2025 – 29 Feb 2028
Subject
Ecology (Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences)

More about the project

The growing populations of seals and cormorants in the Baltic Sea raise concerns about their impact on fish stocks. These predators are believed to contribute to the decline of coastal fish, which means that productive fish stocks are now mainly found in the inner archipelago. Therefore, the pressure to implement measures to reduce the number of seals and cormorants is increasing. At the same time, our understanding of their actual roles in the Baltic Sea ecosystem is limited, making it difficult to manage fish stocks effectively.

This project aims to find out how seals and cormorants affect fish populations over time and space. We will use acoustic telemetry in Kalmarsund and Blekinge to combine field studies with experimental studies. The goal is to measure both the direct (mortality) and indirect (behavioral) effects of seal and cormorant predation on fish stocks. We will also evaluate how effective different measures are in reducing predation pressure on fish.

The aim of the project is to generate crucial knowledge for adaptive, ecosystem-based management practices, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of seal and cormorant predation impacts across both temporal and spatial scales. This includes the development of evidence-based, ethically sound, and cost-effective management of seals and cormorants. Ultimately, this project aims to support the sustainable management of the Baltic Sea, ensuring the coexistence of viable predator populations alongside thriving fish communities and resilient coastal ecosystems.

The project is part of the research in Linnaeus University Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems (EEMiS), and the research groups Fish Ecology and Zoonotic Ecology and Epidemiology.

Staff