Combating invasive alien species at sea, research and mapping of marine habitats, as well as proposals for the protection of specially protected fish and bird species - all of this is planned in the project "Research of Marine Protected Habitats and Determination of the Necessary Protection Status in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Latvia" (hereinafter - “LIFE REEF project”).

"Although most of the sea is associated with a sandy beach, autumn storms or collecting pieces of amber, the marine ecosystem and underwater world are much more complex and hold many other values and secrets. When we talk about specially protected habitats, we usually mean the values of terrestrial nature, but the sea also hides specially protected marine habitats of European Union importance, such as Sand Shoals at Sea and Stone Shoals at Sea,” says A. Svilāns, Director General of the Agency.

The identification and protection of these habitats is not a whi as it is these shoals that play an important role as fish spawning grounds and fish baby 'nurseries' - so they play an important role in the restoration of fish resources.

As on land, the sea has its problems and one of the most important is the spread of invasive alien species. Invasive animal species such as the round goby and the Chinese mitten crab not only deprive native species of their habitat, but also destroy the food base of native species (tiny invertebrates) and feed on local fish eggs and fish babies, upsetting the natural balance.

Within the framework of the LIFE REEF project, it is planned to map and study specially protected marine habitats of European Union significance (Sand Shoals at Sea and Stone Shoals at Sea) in the area of the Baltic Sea covering 4116 square kilometers. Research is needed to prepare criteria for the assessment of marine habitats and to improve the monitoring methodology for the assessment of marine protected habitats and species. Only by learning about natural resources and carrying out scientific research can the sustainable existence and management of these habitats and the species that inhabit them be promoted.

The scientific research of the LIFE REEF project is necessary to ensure the protection of habitats, which in turn will contribute to the improvement of fish populations, bird habitats and the establishment of a system for the protection of marine resources. Over the next five years, it is planned to make proposals for the establishment and inclusion of new marine protected areas in the Natura 2000 network, as well as to prepare a scientifically based coastal fisheries management plan, including proposals to reduce by-catches of seabirds and mammals.

It is also planned to develop a unified management plan for all existing and also newly established marine protected areas, also evaluating the possibilities of marine habitat ecosystem services. The Board will also develop a methodology, and it will be possible to register catches of round goby and mitten crab in the registration system of invasive alien species

The LIFE REEF project “Research of Marine Protected Habitats and Determination of the Necessary Protection Status in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Latvia” is implemented by the Nature Conservation Agency as a leading partner in cooperation with the Food Safety, Animal Health and Environmental Research Institute BIOR and the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology. Its total budget is 4 million EUR, of which 60% is covered by the EU environment and climate action program LIFE, but 40% - by the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund and project partners.