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Approximately 30 species of birds live in our maritime zone and on the coast. Most of them breed in remote northern areas and overwinter in marine waters, choosing wintering grounds not only for their nutritional needs but also for climatic conditions.
Large numbers of seabirds flock to Lithuanian shores in cold and harsh winters, as they retreat en masse from the frozen Gulf of Riga into the southern waters. Unfortunately, our waters are not very hospitable.
Perhaps the greatest danger to the abundant wintering birds that gather here is the commercial fishing construction nets in which they become entangled. As a result, up to 10-15 percent can die, as studies have shown. of these wings (from 1 thousand to 1.5 thousand).
Another threat to birds is pollution of the sea with petroleum products. If they become heavily soiled with these contaminants, they will sink or freeze, as the feathers will no longer protect against the cold, and cleaning dirty feathers can lead to acute poisoning. In addition, damage to various organs by toxins in the oil shortens the lifespan of the birds.
Tangles in fishing gear also pose a serious threat to seals, as they can be fatal. Three species of seals live and breed in the Baltic: gray, ringed and eastern Atlantic. Gray spends most of his time in our waters.
As no research or monitoring of these marine mammals is carried out in Lithuania, the number of downed seals can only be judged on the basis of socially collected data. 2012-2017 112 seals landed on the beaches of Lithuania for various reasons.
In 2018 this number was as high as 56. Compared to 2006-2011, when 59 downed seals were found, the total number of downed seals found on beaches nearly doubled.
In the Lithuanian maritime zone, fish stocks are declining due to intensive fishing. The status of eastern cod has deteriorated to such an extent that in our marine waters since 2019. Fishing prohibited.
The fragile ecosystem of the Baltic Sea is threatened by non-indigenous species from other waters. They usually come with ballast water from ships or are specially planted and, being able to adapt more quickly, they replace the old ones. When a non-native species enters the Baltic, it is virtually impossible to stop its spread.
Currently there are 14 known exotic species in our marine area: 8 crustaceans and one for fish, bivalve mollusks, pigeons, polychaetes, intestinal worms and planktonic algae.
The black grundal and the rib hair killer should be mentioned separately. Blackbirds were first recorded in our marine waters around 2000 and became the dominant species in abundance. They compete with local fish for food resources and spawning grounds. The ribbed assassin is a ferocious predator that can feed on medium-sized prey, including fish roe and fingerlings.
Measures to solve these and other Baltic problems, as said Agnė Lukoševičienė, Chief Specialist of the Pollution Prevention Policy Group of the Ministry of Environment, are planned to be prepared and approved in 2022. in the first half. They will be included in the renewed water development program.
