The Baltic Sea Spirit – providing people with information and inspiration
about the ecosystem, culture and values ​​of the Baltic Sea
while actively working for its sustainable development.
Environmentally speaking, the Baltic Sea is not in good shape, something which is often cited in scientific reports and in the media. Anyone who has an affiliation with the place will confirm this. Even though concerted efforts are being made throughout the region to try and reverse this trend, it will take time before we see tangible results. So far there have been few real changes.
Unfortunately, there is a risk that people will eventually lose interest in the Baltic Sea and its plight. And as their commitment wains, so too will the efforts that are required to improve the situation. If this were to happen, the positive results achieved so far would have been for nothing. Exacerbating this is the fact that news reports about the state of the Baltic Sea constantly cite what is going wrong rather than talking about the positive achievements that are being made. Hardly a day goes by without some journalist or another peddling negative news about pollution, algal blooming, dwindling fish stocks and barren seabeds. These headlines are often perceived as representing something that is permanent and irreversible which prompts many to wonder if the situation can ever be reversed. It begs the question: who really wants to waste their energy on something that many regard as a virtually landlocked dirty puddle? It is easier for them to simply turn their backs on the problem.
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But without commitment, a strong will, and a longing for a Baltic Sea full of life, similar to what it was just a few generations ago, we will get nowhere. Despite all the good intentions of those who are working to rectify the situation, without a more constructive approach these current initiatives are likely to be insufficient.
If the Baltic Sea is to have any chance of recovering in the long term, it is of the utmost importance to talk about its beauty, its unique qualities and all the opportunities it offers to experience its exceptional charm. It is then and only then that public interest will focus on what is being done and what needs to be done to keep the Baltic Sea alive. By showing the kind of commitment that gives hope for the future of this irreplaceable stretch of water we can make people aware of the fact that it deserves our help. For it is a future that in the long run will also affect the quality of life for all those who live and work around it.
For a long time, the question of the what the Baltic Sea offers people in terms of enjoyment and personal experiences ​​has been an almost forgotten and neglected part of the messages sent out by those who are active within the conservation projects that are being carried out all around the Baltic Sea. There are wonderful opportunities just waiting to be discovered, be they on land, at sea or beneath the waves. Often they are very noticeable, but sometimes they are a little hidden. You may stumble upon undiscovered gems and rather secretive places, and it is these which need to be talked about. It is important that we focus on what is good about the Baltic Sea, describe its true value in a positive light and entice people to discover its charm for themselves. It is for this simple reason that The Baltic Sea Spirit initiative was created.
We aim to clearly demonstrate that nature, culture, and the environment live in symbiosis, that they are intimately connected and are dependent upon each other. By focusing on this, we can draw attention to what is good about the Baltic Sea both for those who live around its shores and for others across the world.
Magnus Rietz Marine Photographer
Magnus Rietz has always had a very close relationship with the sea and for most of the year you will either find him on it or close by it. With a professional background in nature photography with a marine as well as a maritime emphasis he has spent much of his life documenting many aspects of this unique ecosystem. The Baltic Sea Spirit initiative is a direct result of his lifelong passion for the diversity and endless possibilities that the marine environment has to offer us all.