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Survey on People’s Relationship with the Baltic Sea Enters Its Final Sprint on Baltic Sea Day
Baltic Sea Day is celebrated on Thursday, 27 August. The day is marked by hundreds of events where researchers, authorities, businesses, organizations, and citizens showcase their work for the sea and its future.
Baltic Sea Day also coincides with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), known as the Ocean Decade and coordinated by UNESCO. Within the Ocean Decade, ocean literacy is highlighted as a fundamental prerequisite for a sustainable relationship between people and the ocean. UNESCO defines ocean literacy as understanding the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean.
Connected to this theme, an ongoing doctoral study at Åbo Akademi University investigates how people recognize Baltic Sea plant and animal species and how they relate to them. The survey was launched one year ago and is now entering its final sprint. So far, around 250 people have participated, but there is still an opportunity to make your voice heard before the survey closes on Friday night.
Celebrate our shared sea and support research by taking part in the survey.
The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is open to all adults living in Finland. Among everyone who responds between 27–28 August 2026, one 50 € SOK gift card will be awarded by lottery. SOK is not involved in conducting the survey and is not otherwise.
Preliminary results indicate that some species are considerably better known than others, with a notable difference between large and small species. This is particularly intriguing, as the smaller and less conspicuous species constitute the majority of life in the Baltic Sea and play essential roles in its ecosystems.
Why does this matter? Research shows that people’s relationship with nature plays an important role in how the environment is valued, used, and protected. Knowledge of species can serve as a pathway to a deeper understanding of the sea and our place within the marine ecosystem.
On Baltic Sea Day, doctoral researcher and marine scientist Jolanda Linsén will be present along the Aura River and at Forum Marinum in Turku. Visitors are welcome to discuss their relationship with the Baltic Sea, species knowledge, ocean literacy, and interdisciplinary research on interactions between people and the sea.
Information about events taking place around Finland can be found in the Baltic Sea Day event calendar.
