Ecomarinas project

🌊 Don’t give hitchhikers a lift.

When boats move between different water basins, they can carry unwanted passengers on their hulls, including invasive species.

These “hitchhikers” may look small, but once introduced to a new environment, they can disturb local ecosystems and put native species under pressure.

Regularly clean your hull, especially when travelling between different waters. Choose natural products and biocide-free options whenever possible.

Because a clean hull helps keep the Baltic safer from unwanted guests 🐚

👉 Want to learn more? Visit our website https://fundacjamare.pl/en/ecomarinas/

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Visuals: By Aleks Skrok ✨
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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund and continues through June 2027, with eight partners across four Baltic countries. The project addresses urgent challenges including wastewater treatment, invasive species management, plastic pollution reduction, and climate adaptation.

Gdański Ośrodek Sportu Pomorskie Klaipeda University
Neringos savivaldybė Slottsholmen Marina Fundacja MARE EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V.

🌊⛵ Can sailing and protecting the Baltic Sea go hand in hand?

That was the question we brought with us to Hanse Sail Rostock 2026, where on 8–9 August Fundacja MARE and EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V. joined forces at the ECOMARINAS educational stand.

For two days, visitors could:�
🎡 test their knowledge with our spin-the-wheel quiz,�
🧩 play the ECOMARINAS memory game,�
🎨 discover Baltic Sea species through activities for children,�
🖼️ explore our educational posters created by Polish illustrator, graphic designer and muralist Aleks Skrok,�
💬 and talk with us about how everyday choices on the water and in marinas can affect the Baltic Sea.

ECOMARINAS was also part of the Science@Sail stage programme. 🎤 On Sunday, Olga Sarna, President of MARE Foundation, gave a presentation: “How does sailing impact the Baltic Sea? Insights from ECOMARINAS perspective”.

Two days full of sailing, science, games and conversations about how we can enjoy the sea while taking better care of it. 💙

Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund and continues through June 2027, with eight partners across four Baltic countries. The project addresses urgent challenges including wastewater treatment, invasive species management, plastic pollution reduction, and climate adaptation.

Gdański Ośrodek Sportu Pomorskie Klaipeda University Neringos savivaldybė Slottsholmen Marina Fundacja MARE EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V.

🌊 Hazardous waste ≠ love. Keep poison out of the Baltic.

Oily bilge water, paints, varnishes, cleaning chemicals, batteries and antifreeze may seem like small things on board — but if they end up in the water, they can become toxic pollution.

Loving the Baltic means taking responsibility for what we leave behind.
Dispose of hazardous waste properly in designated areas on land and never let toxic substances reach the sea.

Because if you say you love the Baltic — show her 💙

👉 Want to learn more? Visit our website: https://fundacjamare.pl/en/ecomarinas/

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Visuals: By Aleks Skrok ✨
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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund and continues through June 2027, with eight partners across four Baltic countries. The project addresses urgent challenges including wastewater treatment, invasive species management, plastic pollution reduction, and climate adaptation.

Gdański Ośrodek Sportu Pomorskie Klaipeda University
Neringos savivaldybė Slottsholmen Marina Fundacja MARE EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V.

🌊 Are you a Person of the Sea?

For the past few weeks, this question has been on display at Brzeźno Beach in Gdańsk, Poland. Woven from an old fishing net across the sail of a unique art installation, it invites us to stop for a moment and reflect on our relationship with the sea.

⛵ Created by Linda Lemon Linda Lemon at the initiative of the MARE Foundation as part of the ECOMARINAS campaign, the installation explores the impact our actions – including those connected with sailing – can have on the Baltic Sea.

At its centre is a boat covered with a dark structure symbolising pollution. At the base of the installation, you can also find the Code of Conduct for Sea People – a set of principles based on respect for water, responsibility for our impact on the environment and conscious choices.

But it’s not just something to look at. ✍️

Everyone can sign the Code and symbolically join the People of the Sea.

Because being a Person of the Sea is not just about sailing. It means understanding that the sea does not belong to us – and taking responsibility for the footprint we leave behind. 💙

📍 Gdańsk, Brzeźno Beach, entrance no. 50

📅 On display until 20 September 2026

Come to Brzeźno, see the installation up close and ask yourself: are you a Person of the Sea?

📷 Piotr Szafran

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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund and continues through June 2027, with eight partners across four Baltic countries. The project addresses urgent challenges including wastewater treatment, invasive species management, plastic pollution reduction, and climate adaptation.

Gdański Ośrodek Sportu Pomorskie. Życia pełne. Klaipeda University
Neringa/Neringos savivaldybė Slottsholmen Marina Västervik Fundacja MARE EUCC - Die Küsten Union Dtld.

🌊 Slow down. The sea is listening.

Underwater noise may be invisible to us, but it can travel far beneath the surface — disturbing marine animals that rely on sound to survive.

Boat engines and propellers create vibrations and noise, especially at higher speeds. In busy coastal areas, recreational boats can collectively create persistent underwater background noise.

Whenever possible, choose sails over engine, reduce speed near wildlife and keep a respectful distance from marine animals.

Because a quieter sea is a healthier sea 💙

👉 Want to learn more? Visit our website: https://fundacjamare.pl/en/ecomarinas-noise-and-speed/

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Visuals: By Aleks Skrok ✨
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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund and continues through June 2027, with eight partners across four Baltic countries. The project addresses urgent challenges including wastewater treatment, invasive species management, plastic pollution reduction, and climate adaptation.

Gdański Ośrodek Sportu Pomorskie Klaipeda University Neringos savivaldybė
Slottsholmen Marina Fundacja MARE EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V.

A short photo recap from the Weaving People of the Sea event held within the ECOMARINAS project ⛵
That day, the beach in Brzeźno became a place of gatherings. We were accompanied by the sound of waves, sand underfoot, conversations about the sea, creative energy, and many hands ready to work. Art, sailing, and education united us around what we share: responsibility and love for the Baltic Sea.

⚓ We inaugurated Linda Lemon's art installation "Are You a Sea Person?"
⚓ We listened to incredible sea stories from Monika Witkowska
⚓ We weaved used sailing ropes during an upcycling workshop with Anna Maria Kotkiewicz
⚓ We presented a series of educational posters about impact of sailing by Aleks Skrok - Mural, Graphic Design, Illustration. and a photo exhibition by Karol Tomaszewski entitled "Traces on the Water" 💧

We also explored the Baltic ecosystem in the Fundacja MARE family learning zone.

On this day, the word "weaving" took on a very specific meaning. It united artists, sailors, residents, tourists, children, educators, and all those who care about the future of the sea.

This is precisely the basis of the ECOMARINAS project's mission: building community, exchanging knowledge, and the belief that responsible use of the Baltic Sea begins with mindfulness and everyday choices - both on the water, in marinas, and on land. Because the sea is not protected solely through infrastructure and management. It is also protected through relationships, awareness, and a willingness to change.

We thank everyone who joined us in Brzeźno and who helps us further spread our mission and the Code of Conduct of Sea People. See the photo gallery from this beautiful day 💙

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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund.

🌊 How much impact do we really have on the Baltic Sea?
More than we might think.

In the first episode of the “Zegar BAŁTYKa” podcast, created by Gdański Ośrodek Sportu as part of the ECOMARINAS project, the conversation turns to responsible sailing and the choices each of us can make to help protect the Baltic Sea.

🎙️ Guests:
Ula Krojec, ECOMARINAS Project Manager at Gdański Ośrodek Sportu
Olga Sarna, President of the Fundacja MARE
Hosted by Włodzimierz Raszkiewicz.

The full episode is available with English subtitles on the Gdański Ośrodek Sportu YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/awjF3MU5vG4?si=nsc1724-oIXMoZ17

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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund and continues through June 2027, with eight partners across four Baltic countries. The project addresses urgent challenges including wastewater treatment, invasive species management, plastic pollution reduction, and climate adaptation.

Gdański Ośrodek Sportu Pomorskie Klaipeda University Neringos savivaldybė Slottsholmen Marina Fundacja MARE EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V.

PODCAST ECOMARINAS: Jak zmienić mariny i chronić Bałtyk? | Zegar BAŁTYKa #1 Pierwszy odcinek podcastu "Zegar BAŁTYKa" w ramach projektu Ecomari...

🌊 Water is precious. Keep it blue, not grey.

On board, it may feel like water is everywhere. But freshwater is not limitless and every litre we use eventually leaves a trace.

Saving water on boats helps protect increasingly scarce freshwater supplies and reduces the amount of greywater pollution discharged into the sea.

Shorter showers, turning off taps, using seawater for pre-washing and fixing leaks immediately can all make a difference.

Because every litre you don’t waste helps keep the Baltic cleaner 💧

👉 Want to learn more? Visit our website: https://fundacjamare.pl/en/ecomarinas-saving-water/

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Visuals: By Aleks Skrok ✨
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The ECOMARINAS project is co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021-2027 through the European Regional Development Fund and continues through June 2027, with eight partners across four Baltic countries. The project addresses urgent challenges including wastewater treatment, invasive species management, plastic pollution reduction, and climate adaptation.

Gdański Ośrodek Sportu Pomorskie Klaipeda University Neringos savivaldybė Slottsholmen Marina Fundacja MARE EUCC - Die Küsten Union Deutschland e.V.