Welcome to the Institute of Coastal Research

Our mission

• We carry out test fishing along the entire coast of Sweden within the framework of national and regional environmental monitoring.
• We follow the development of fish populations, as fish are an important environmental indicator. Fish reveal how the coastal environment is doing.
• We collect, store and make our quality data on fish in the Swedish coastal area, from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Skagerrak, available.
• We use our data on fish populations to understand and monitor the role of fish in the ecosystem and develop advice for ecosystem-based fisheries management.
• We map habitats and conduct spatial analyses as a basis for marine planning and protected areas. A large part of our advice forms the basis for decision-making for the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM).
• We study the biological effects of Swedish nuclear power plant's intake and discharge of cooling water.

Research that solves real problems

In our research, we focus on both the state and composition of individual fish stocks and on the dynamics of the entire coastal ecosystem. For example, we study how climate change affects fish communities, and how the size and growth of fish affect the interaction between individuals to entire food webs and how these food webs are affected by fishing.

We work on interactions between fishing, birds and mammals, where we e.g. investigate the effects of seals and cormorants on coastal ecosystems, and develop seal-safe and selective gear for small-scale coastal fishing.

In close connection with our research, we train future researchers, fish ecologists and environmental monitors.

Collaborate with us

We want to share our useful knowledge, but equally important is that we receive influences and ideas from the outside world.

At the Institute of Coastal Research, we collaborate with all major Swedish universities, about ten international universities, the fisheries and marine environment institutes around the Baltic Sea and international bodies such as the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Collaboration also takes place with national and regional authorities, as well as with interest organizations and the fishing industry.

You are welcome to contact us for collaboration!

Research infrastructure

The Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby

At the The Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby we conduct breeding and research on farmed salmon and trout, and around 140,000 salmon and trout are produced per year for release into the Dalälven River.

Fish age laboratories

We are experts in age and growth analysis of fish and at our laboratories we determine the age of over 10,000 fish annually as part of Swedish environmental monitoring programmes.

Our local offices

The Institute of Coastal Research has its headquarters in Öregrund and Uppsala and local offices in Simpevarp, Väröbacka, Lysekil, and Älvkarleby.

The Institute of Coastal Research in Simpevarp

The office's work is focused on environmental monitoring along the coast of the Baltic Proper and data collection within the framework of the EU Data Collection Directive. The office is also responsible for the monitoring program for the nuclear power plant in Oskarshamn.

The Institute of Coastal Research in Väröbacka

The office in Väröbacka is responsible for environmental monitoring and data collection along the coast of the Kattegat and Skagerrak. The office is responsible for the Ringhals and Barsebäck nuclear power plant's monitoring program, as well as the monitoring program at Södra Cell Värö's pulp mill.

The Institute of Coastal Research in Lysekil

In Lysekil we conduct research on interactions between protected species and fishing. We develop gentle, seal-safe and selective gear for small-scale coastal fishing in collaboration with coastal fishermen.

The Fisheries Research Station in Älvkarleby

The Fisheries Research Station produces approximately 140,000 salmon and trout per year for release into the Dalälven River. It has aquariums, streams and rivers for experiments; facilities that are also available to external researchers.