In order to use the civic initiative there, where efforts of the states are not enough.

Sea seems boundless and bottomless, its amount of water endless. However, it is obvious that the people’s inconsiderate activity will influence the health of sea. The Baltic Sea, washing the shores of Estonia, is currently believed to be the most polluted seas in the world. On the one hand, it results from the slow circulation of water; on the other hand, balance of the Baltic Sea is affected by human activity. Rain water from cities and roads carry along toxic elements that by depositing in plant and animal tissues have impact on the health of marine biota. Waste water and chemical substances that flow into the sea through rives result in the fertilization of the sea, causing the prospering of algae. Bottom layers of the sea lose oxygen, shallow bays overgrow and bottom sediments turn to toxic mud. At once, other characteristics of water will change and spawning conditions for fish will worsen. Intensifying navigation in the Baltic Sea poses also a growing concern.

ELF participates in all the projects of the national branches of WWF and partner organizations in the Baltic Sea countries, including the project BEAP (Baltic Ecoregion Action Plan).

The Baltic Ecoregion Action Plan (BEAP) is a manifold project that aims to get closer to entire association of factors that influence the sea. The chief goal is to protect and, if possible, to regenerate the natural diversity of the Baltic Sea in its full capacity.

Due to the poor condition of the sea, the sphere of the Baltic Sea protection is being developed also within the framework of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (HELCOM). Partners of BEAP are supporting HELCOM’s efforts in this direction through know-how and supporting activities. Since the efficiency of nature conservation depends on knowing the real situation, we constantly gather information about the situation of the Baltic Sea and monitor the decisions and suggestions of local authorities that could influence the future and well-being of the sea.

Supporting ELF’s marine programme (Life Buoy), you both help to organize marine studies and guarantee ELF’s competent participation in making decisions concerning the future of the Baltic Sea.

Oil disasters remind us what source of danger we have created for ourselves. ELF is trying to reduce this danger in every respect.

Maritime issues know no state boundaries, so ELF is working side by side with other environmental organizations in states at the Baltic Sea. We are trying to find opportunities to protect the species of the sea and support the efforts aimed to avoid major maritime disasters and lessen the load of pollution.