Monitoring of coastal fish stocks

We monitor the entire Swedish coastal area in order to map the status and health of fish stocks. Our collected data is used for fisheries advice, environmental assessments and to study the effects of human impact from industries and nuclear power.

How we monitor fish along our coasts

Our standardized sampling of fish with multi-mesh gillnets means that we have the opportunity to follow long-term changes in the species composition, species richness and size structure of fish stocks.

Map of our monitored areas

Click on the map for better resolution.

National monitoring

Integrated coastal fish monitoring

Every year, we conduct extensive fish monitoring along the coast of Sweden with the aim of mapping the status in order to detect changes that may indicate large-scale impacts of environmental factors.

We carry out standardized samplings in four reference areas that have low local human impact: the Holmöarna Islands, Kvädöfjärden and Torhamn in the Baltic Sea, and Fjällbacka in the Skagerrak sea on the Swedish west coast.

Regional monitoring

The Baltic Sea

We monitor the coastal fish communities of the Baltic Sea. The survey usually takes place from August and into autumn when the water temperature is colder and the target species are active. The species monitored are perch, ruffe, pike-perch and various cyprinids (for example roach and bream). Flounder, cod, sculpins, viviparous eelpout and whitefish are examples of species that are more common during the cold season.

The Swedish west coast

On the west coast, in Skagerrak and Kattegat, we monitor the fish community in shallow water during summer and autumn. Common species are cod, eel and various wrasses.

Find data

• We store and provide data from the monitoring of fish along the Swedish coast in the database for coastal fish - KUL.
• We also present the results from our coastal fish monitoring in fact sheets.