Row over the Atlantic: a new collaboration to save the Baltic harbour porpoise

CCB • May 25, 2021

Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) and the Swedish adventurers Måns Kämpe and Sören Kjellkvist [1] are pleased to announce the  launch of a collaboration to save the endangered Baltic whale, the harbour porpoise . Måns and Sören will during the winter of 2021-22 row over the Atlantic from Portugal to the Caribbean, a journey of about 6000 kilometers which will take around 3 months. 

Throughout the rowing, Måns and Sören will write a daily report (both in English and Swedish) by publishing updates on the journey and facts & figures on the harbour porpoise [2]. The aim is to raise awareness about the Baltic harbour porpoise, which currently has less than 500 animals left and is near extinction [3], due to bycatch [4], contaminants and underwater noise.

As a preparation for the big adventure Sören and Måns will row from Stockholm to Visby during the Almedalen Week [5] in the beginning of July and there, together with Coalition Clean Baltic, will share information, create opinion and collect signatures to raise awareness and put pressure for the implementation of emergency measures to protect this cetacean population. 

“Both Sören and I are deeply committed to life in the seas, and we both feel that it is horrible that the only species of whale living in the Baltic Sea is facing extinction. We want to share and debate, and dedicate our adventure to the important issue of saving the Baltic harbour porpoise. CCB helps us with training materials and the scientific expertise needed to make a real difference”

said Måns Kämpe.

Ida Carlén, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Officer at Coalition Clean Baltic, added:

“We work to achieve the changes required to save the Baltic harbour porpoise and help it stabilize, and our collaboration with Måns and Sören gives us the chance to bring this issue out through media to a wider audience. A lot of people are not even aware that there is a species of whale in the Baltic Sea, and that it is so close to extinction.”

We want to preserve the Baltic biodiversity and urgent action can still prevent the extinction and save the Baltic porpoise.

  • You can read the PR in Swedish here

    Ro över Atlanten: ett nytt samarbete för att rädda Östersjötumlaren


    Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) och de svenska äventyrarna Måns Kämpe och Sören Kjellkvist [1] har nöjet att presentera uppstarten av ett samarbete för att rädda Östersjöns utrotningshotade val, östersjötumlaren. Måns och Sören kommer under vintern 2021-22 att ro över Atlanten, från Portugal till Västindien, en resa på ungefär 6000 kilometer som kommer att ta cirka 3 månader. 



    Under rodden kommer Måns och Sören att skriva dagliga rapporter (på både svenska och engelska), med uppdateringar om rodden samt fakta och information om östersjötumlaren [2]. Målet är att öka medvetenheten om östersjötumlaren, som nu består av mindre än 500 individer och är nära att utrotas [3], på grund av bifångst [4], föroreningar samt undervattensbuller.


    Som en förberedelse för det stora äventyret kommer Sören och Måns att ro från Stockholm till Visby under Almedalsveckan [5] i början av Juli, och där tillsammans med Coalition Clean Baltic informera, skapa opinion och samla namnunderskrifter för att öka medvetenheten och skapa ett tryck för de akuta åtgärder som behövs för att rädda och skydda denna valpopulation.


    “Både Sören och jag är djupt engagerade för livet i haven, och vi känner båda att det är fruktansvärt att den enda val som lever i Östersjön är nära att utrotas. Vi vill berätta och debattera, och tillägnar vårt äventyr den viktiga frågan om att rädda östersjötumlaren. CCB hjälper oss med utbildningsmaterial och den vetenskapliga expertis som behövs för att göra verklig skillnad”

    sade Måns Kämpe.


    Ida Carlén, expert hos Coalition Clean Baltic, lade till:

    “Vi arbetar för att åstadkomma de förändringar som behövs för östersjötumlaren ska kunna överleva och stabiliseras, och samarbetet med Måns och Sören ger oss chansen att få ut frågan i media och till en bredare publik. Många människor känner inte ens till att det finns en val-art i Östersjön, och att den är så nära att utrotas.”



    Vi vill bevara den biologiska mångfalden i Östersjön, och akuta åtgärder kan fortfarande hindra utrotningen och rädda östersjötumlaren.


    REFERENSER

    [1] Måns Kämpe och Sören Kjellkvist är äventyrare med ett stort engagemang för att uppleva, lära sig, inspirera, dela med sig, utbilda och debattera kring djur och natur, på land och i haven.

    [2] Måns Kämpes och Sören Kjellkvists blogg: 

    https://sorenkjellkvist.se/start_slider/aventyrsbeskrivning-ro-over-atlanten/

    [3] Östersjötumlaren är klassad som kritiskt utrotningshotad av The International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN:

    http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/17031/0

    https://ccb.se/harbour-porpoise/

    [4] Bifångst är den fångst av icke avsedda arter såsom östersjötumlare, delfiner, havssköldpaddor och sjöfåglar som sker vid fiske. Detta är ett av de största hoten mot östersjötumlaren: 

    https://ccb.se/2021/05/bycatch-of-critically-endangered-baltic-sea-harbour-porpoise-must-stop/

    [5] Almedalsveckan (även kallad Politikerveckan) är ett årligt återkommande evenemang i början av Juli i Almedalen på Gotland. Med tal, seminarier och andra politiska aktiviteter betraktas den som det viktigaste forumet i svensk politik: 

    https://almedalsveckan.info/english




NOTES

By CCB October 3, 2025
3 October 2025 - Coalition Clean Baltic, together with its Member Organization BUND - Friends of the Earth Germany and the citizens’ initiative “ Lebensraum Vorpommern ”, have launched a petition to stop new oil and gas drilling projects in the Baltic Sea . The petition comes in response to plans to exploit a deposit just 6 km offshore Świnoujście , Poland, in the transboundary waters of the Oder Estuary and Pomeranian Bay. The planned site lies at the heart of NATURA 2000 protected areas , which are vital for biodiversity, climate action, and local communities. Oil and gas extraction in the Baltic Sea poses severe threats to its fragile ecosystems. Industrial activities such as drilling, pipeline construction, and ship traffic risk polluting the water with chemicals, oil leaks, and toxic waste. Underwater noise from pile driving and increased traffic would further degrade marine habitats. These pressures add to the already critical challenges faced by the Baltic Sea, including biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. The consequences extend far beyond nature. Local communities rely on a clean and healthy Baltic for tourism, fishing, and quality of life. Expanding fossil fuel infrastructure would also undermine Europe’s climate commitments and lock in carbon emissions for decades to come. The petition calls on the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), the European Commission, and the Secretariat of the Espoo Convention to : Stop the plans for oil and gas extraction in the Oder Estuary and the Pomeranian Bay; Ban any new oil and gas extraction across the Baltic Sea; Ensure strong cross-border cooperation and communication amongst all involved states. The petition is open through the WeMove Europe´s platform and can be signed here .
By CCB October 1, 2025
Job Title: Coalition Campaign Manager - Common Fisheries Policy Position type : Full-time consultancy contract. Open to part-time arrangements initially if needed. Contract duration: Short-term contract until end of March 2026, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability Reports to: Steering Committee Location : Flexible(remote/home office) with regular travel. Working in Brussels is of advantage. Starting date : ASAP In close cooperation with the Steering Group of the coalition, lead, plan, coordinate, and support the campaign of an NGO network working together towards the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the evaluation thereof. The campaign manager's responsibility is to develop and ensure the successful and timely delivery of political advocacy and public engagement activities of the campaign, both at EU and Member State level. Job description Strategy & Planning Develop and implement short-, and long-term campaign strategies aligned with coalition objectives, in close cooperation with the Steering Group. Set clear goals, timelines, and performance indicators for the campaign and ensure timely delivery thereof. Analyse policy development, political climate, media and public opinion, and stakeholder landscapes to inform tactics. Campaign Delivery Manage day-to-day execution of the campaign activities at Brussels and Member State level. Coordinate coalition partners and ensure communication between Steering Group and coalition members, as well as relevant groups/coalitions/experts and other stakeholders outside the coalition. Advise coalition members on strategic delivery of advocacy activities at all levels, including Member State level. Join Steering Group meetings in an advisory capacity. Report back to the Steering Group on the delivery of the campaign's activities, meeting of targets and milestones, and report back on activities, budget and impact. Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, key stakeholders, and allies to support campaign aims. Analyse opportunities of engagement, advise on policy language. Organise/coordinate/prepare and support relevant activities, including events, briefings, and advocacy activities in close cooperation with coalition members. Ensure relevant knowledge management and information flow within the coalition and across partner organisations. Liaise with communication experts on message framing, strategy and timelines. Management Support CCB administrative and finance staff managing grants to coalition partners. Ensure coalition partners receive information and materials that enable them to effectively contribute to achieving campaign goals (political information, policy briefings, templates, policy language, opportunity analyses). Support fundraising efforts as needed/requested by the Steering Group. Lead on funders narrative reporting. Qualifications & Skills required The consultant must be legally authorised to provide services and work as a consultant within the EU, based in an EU Member State. Fisheries and ocean expertise (preferred), or other environmental background. Degree (or equivalent experience) in communications/campaign management, political science, resource management, fisheries, or related field. Proven track record in designing and delivering successful advocacy or public campaigns at EU or Member State levels involving a larger coalition. Strong understanding of political processes at EU level and Member State levels, media landscapes, and public engagement. Excellent project management and organisational skills. Skilled communicator and coordinator, able to craft persuasive messages and engage a larger network into a common goal within tight deadlines. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Fluency in English is required; additional EU languages are a plus. Application Should you be interested in applying for this assignment, please send your CV (max. 2 pages) together with a personal letter (max. 1 page) before 9 October 2025 , COB, to secretariat@ccb.se Please include your consultancy rate in your application inclusive VAT (if applicable). Applications should be submitted in English. Incomplete applications (e.g. lacking either CV or personal letter) will not be considered . Any inquiries related to this assignment should be forwarded to the above email or to CCB Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at mikhail.durkin@ccb.se and +46 739 770 793. In the application and hiring process, CCB will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social situation. .