Dataset gives a baseline for micro- and mesoplastic pollution distribution in 24 beaches along the Latvian coastline (Northern Europe, Baltic states), filling the existing knowledge gap and contributing to the global understanding of microplastic particles presence, transport, and the processes governing its dynamics. We also highlight citizen science as a fundamental tool to support data collection and raise awareness about microplastic pollution, as samples were collected by up to 250 volunteers during organized campaigns (Dimante-Deimantovica et al. 2023).

In 2021, the Sea and Water Authority started a project with the aim of achieving and preserving a sea in balance and a living coast and archipelago. This includes a large number of actors. Värmdö municipality is one of them and water improvement measures one of the sub-projects.

The Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS) was commissioned by Forewind Ltd to carry out a Phase 1 biotope survey of the intertidal zone located between the towns of Redcar and Marske-by-the-Sea, Tees estuary, Teesside. This area has been identified as a preferred landfall location for export cables, with the ultimate aim of connecting offshore wind farms off the Teesside coastline to the National Grid. The intertidal survey was completed as part of the development of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required from Forewind Ltd to continue with the proposal to use this area as a landfall site.

Lewis Wave Power Ltd. (LWP) (a wholly owned subsidiary of Aquamarine Power Ltd.) was seeking to develop a wave energy demonstration array off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. As a first stage of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project, LWP commissioned Royal Haskoning Ltd. to produce an Environmental Scoping Report (Lewis Wave Power Ltd., 2011) to facilitate the identification and assessment of the potential environmental impacts associated with the project. The survey reported on here formed this field-based benthic component. Its purpose was to provide site-specific benthic data to inform an assessment of impact of the proposed development. The key objectives were to: Determine the distribution and abundance of marine habitats and communities within the study areas; Determine the substrate type at all locations sampled and Identify habitats or species of conservation importance.

Seal pathology from dead seals around the Swedish coast 2017-2022

The methodology used for monitoring has been applied in the Baltic Sea Region since 2011 and is based on the recommendations issued by UNEP/IOC in 2009. It has been further developed, considering the guidelines of HELCOM, OSPAR, and recommendations of the European Commission's JRC Marine Litter working group. Marine beach litter monitoring data were gathered from 15 beaches. Monitoring of 13 sites was conducted three times during the spring, summer, and autumn periods, while two beaches were visited once (in the spring) and then replaced with other beaches (no further marine litter monitoring was carried out at these sites in 2023).

Beach litter monitoring data from the Swedish coastline of Kattegat, the Sound and the Baltic Sea

The purpose of measuring jelly plankton in the marine environment is primarily to detect changes in the marine food web. The national monitoring program is financed by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. Monitoring is performed by Gothenburg University. Data are stored in the Swedish Ocean Archive (SHARK) by the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). Information about the program and the methods are available in Swedish at the website of Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, https://www.havochvatten.se/vagledning-foreskrifter-och-lagar/vagledningar/ovriga-vagledningar/overvakningsmanualer-for-miljoovervakning/overvakningsmanualer/geleplankton.html

The national monitoring program is financed by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. Monitoring is performed by the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Data are stored in the Swedish Ocean Archive (SHARK) by the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). Information about the program and the methods are available in Swedish at the website of Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, https://www.havochvatten.se/overvakning-och-uppfoljning/miljoovervakning/marin-miljoovervakning/tumlare.html

Displays wrecks from the National Monuments Service’s Wreck Inventory of Ireland Database (WIID) for which there is a recorded location. There is data held within the WIID on a large number of wrecks for which we have no precise recorded location, co-ordinate or known extent. Of the approximate 18,000 records, only 4,000 have precise locations leaving approximately 14,000 wrecks in the WIID database for which a location has yet to be confirmed. The location given equates with the known approximate centre point of the wreck and is not indicative of its geographic or spatial extent. Wrecks in the database have a summary description, providing information on the original vessel, their history, voyage, cargo, passengers and the story of its loss, where known. The data has been collated from a variety of sources including INFOMAR, UKHO, wrecksite.eu and uboat.net.