On Baltic Sea Day, marine research and marine nature in the spotlight – aboard R/V Aranda and at Kansalaistori square in Helsinki

Aboard Reseach Vessel Aranda: marine research in practice

On Baltic Sea Day, visitors can explore the R/V Aranda, managed by the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), at Katajanokka Quay near Helsinki Market Square.

Experts from the Finnish Environment Institute, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Natural Resources Institute Finland and Harakka Nature Centre of the City of Helsinki’s Environmental Services will be on board to talk about the state of the Baltic Sea and how it is studied. How are Baltic herring stocks studied? What are high-risk shipwrecks? How is the sea monitored using high-resolution satellites? How is the amount of marine litter mapped? Visitors can also discover the underwater soundscape of the Baltic Sea. Through a microscope, they can take a closer look at plankton organisms, which play an important role in the marine food web. On the bridge, the captain will answer questions about Aranda’s navigation and control systems.
Aranda is a polar research vessel designed for ocean-going operations. Today, multidisciplinary research aboard Aranda is carried out mainly in the Baltic Sea, but the vessel has also sailed the North Atlantic and the seas surrounding Antarctica.

The research vessel Aranda is not barrier-free. We welcome children onboard only with a supervising adult. We do not recommend moving around the vessel with an infant. Visitors should be prepared to wait before boarding, as only a limited number of people can enter at a time.

Marine nature biodiversity presented in Helsinki and Turku

On Baltic Sea Day, Syke will take part in events at Citizens’ Square in Helsinki and Forum Marinum in Turku together with its project partners.

At Citizens’ Square, the underwater world of the Baltic Sea will be presented through an aquarium, photographs and historical seabed sediment layers from the Baltic Sea. Visitors can listen to underwater sounds in the company of grey seals. Experts will also explain how research and practical action can help the Baltic Sea.

In Turku, ecologically valuable and unique underwater nature sites in the Archipelago Sea will be presented for the first time in the Forum Marinum auditorium. Visitors will also learn how the collected mapping data is used to protect marine nature.

Baltic Sea Fest at Citizens’ Square in Helsinki and the event at Forum Marinum in Turku are accessible. Their activities are suitable for visitors of all ages.

Finnish Environment Institute on Baltic Sea Day, August 27th 

Aranda Open Ship 
Finnish Environment Institute, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Harakka Nature Centre and FINMARI 

Location: Katajanokka Quay (Katajanokanlaituri), beside SkyWeel, 00160 Helsinki 
Time: August 27, 12.00–19.00 

The research vessel is not accessible for people with reduced mobility. Free entry.

Kansalaistori Square
Event organiser: John Nurminen Foundation

Location: Alvar Aallon kuja 1, 00100 Helsinki
Time: August 27, 11.00–18.00 

Accessible and suitable for visitors of all ages. Free entry. 

 Tent 9:  Baltic Sea Helpers; Velmu, The Finnish Inventory Programme for Underwater Marine Diversity and Biodiversea LIFE-IP

Forum Marinum in Turku
Event organiser: City of Turku

Location: Linnankatu 72, 20100 Turku
Time: August 27, 15.00–19.00

The event is accessible, free of charge and suitable for all ages.

Tent and auditorium: Baltic Sea Helpers; VELMU Programme and Biodiversea LIFE-IP project (Syke, Metsähallitus, Luke)

Additional information: 

Aranda:
Panu Hänninen, +358 29 525 1203, firstname.lastname(at)syke.fi, Finnish Environment Institute 

Kansalaistori square: 
Oona Piiroinen, +358 50 434 4879, oona.piiroinen@jnfoundation.fi, John Nurminen Foundation 

VELMU Programme and Biodiversea: Wilma Viljanmaa, +358 29 525 1743, firstname.lastname(at)syke.fi, Finnish Environment Institute

Forum Marinum in Turku:
Natalie Helenius, +358 44 907 2134, etunimi.sukunimi(at)turku.fi, Turun kaupunki

VELMU Programme and Biodiversea: Niko Kallio +358 29 525 1186, etunimi.sukunimi(at)syke.fi, Finnish Environment Institute

Baltic Sea Day, initiated and coordinated by the John Nurminen Foundation, is celebrated annually on the last Thursday of August with various events and activities. The aim of the themed day is to highlight important maritime topics and inspire concrete actions for the benefit of the Baltic Sea. In addition to celebration, the goal is to increase awareness of the sea’s nature, culture, and history. In 2026, Baltic Sea Day will be celebrated on August 27.