SOS annual meeting 2025

16.–17.9.2025
Hotel Kasnäs (Kasnäsvägen 1294)

Join us at the beautiful Kasnäs resort to discuss trade-offs in marine biodiversity conservation in light of the research conducted within SOS during the centre’s first year in action!

Under the overarching theme of marine biodiversity conservation, we will share preliminary results from the various SOS workpackages and case studies. We also invite stakeholders to offer their input as we gear towards the next phases in our research. For broader perspectives on tackling critical challenges in ocean sustainability, we will hear keynote talks from Dr. Stefanie Ypma, Community Manager for the Sustainable Ocean Community at Utrecht University (Netherlands) and Dr. Leonardo Valenzuela Pérez, Director of International Partnerships at Ocean Visions (USA).

Registration for the event has closed. If you would like to participate, please contact us at sos@abo.fi.

PROGRAM

All program sessions are held in the Kasnäs spa building, in room Hoppet (2nd floor).

During breaks, we invite you to explore the exhibition “Meanings of Archipelago Forests” just outside Hoppet. The exhibition features photographs taken by pupils from Nagu and Velkua, offering their perspectives on forest landscapes of the archipelago.

For those with accommodation at the Kasnäs Hotel, access to the spa and gym are included during the spa opening hours.

DAY 1 – TUESDAY 16.9.

8:00–9:30 Bus transport from Turku Cathedral to Kasnäs (stopping at Teboil Paimio at approx. 8:20)
9:30–10:00 Arrivals & Coffee
10:00–10:15 Opening remarks
10:15–11:30 Keynote talk
From Silos to Synergy: Enabling Transdisciplinary Collaborations for Ocean Sustainability

Stefanie Ypma
(Community Manager for the Sustainable Ocean Community at Utrecht University, Netherlands)

11:30–13:00 Lunch
13:00–14:30 Workshops I

During the workshop session, there are two parallel workshops (A and B), of which participants can attend ONE. 
The insights gained in the workshops will be shared with all event attendees during the plenary session on Wednesday.

Chairs:

Christoffer Boström (SOS, ÅAU)
Magnus Hellström (SOS, ÅAU)

Governments and institutions responsible for defending public interest must maximize the cost-effectiveness of active restoration actions in marine ecosystems, and active restoration must be established as one of the priority strategies for reversing past and ongoing marine habitat degradation. Coupling active restoration interventions with “passive restoration,” such as reducing eutrophication or creating buffer areas surrounding the active restoration intervention site, could substantially increase ecological and societal benefits, reduce unit costs, and yield higher return on investments in ecosystem restoration. However, few initiatives embrace such a strategy today.

This workshop addresses strategies of marine ecosystem restoration and discusses:

  • How should we best design protected areas in relation to restoration actions? 
  • What governance tools do we need to steer future harmful impacts risking restoration success? 
  • Are there functional links between managers, governance scientists and restoration practitioners? If not, how should such a link ideally look like in order to enhance the success rate of marine ecological restoration (which presently has a global success rate of 64%)? 
  • How can we involve private sector actors to expand, fund and speed up the restoration process? Can we identify relevant areas for active or passive private interventions, where those are beneficial and profitable (or, in general, where there are incentives the private sector to join), and where those interventions are scalable to other areas?
  • What is the role of the SOS consortium in this process? 
Chair:

Nina Tynkkynen (SOS, ÅAU)

Speakers:

Henrik Ringbom (SOS, ÅAU)
Vilma Herronen (Energy Authority)
Thaysa Portela de Carvalho (SOS, ÅAU)
Anton Eklund (ÅAU)

This workshop focuses on governance challenges in offshore wind development and features short presentations on implementing ecological compensation, navigating EU and national legislation, as well as social acceptability and tackling NIMBYism. After the presentations, participants will be divided into small groups to discuss specific questions related to the theme, and the session will conclude with all groups sharing their key takeaways.

14:30–15:00 Coffee
15:00–16:30 Workshops II

During the workshop session, there are two parallel workshops (A and B), of which participants can attend ONE.
The insights gained in the workshops will be shared with all event attendees during the plenary session on Wednesday.

Chair:

Conny Sjöqvist (SOS, ÅAU)

Speakers:

Vespa Laine (Fern Orchestra)
Pasi Tolvanen (SOS, ÅAU)

The workshop explores human impacts and biodiversity shifts at the land–sea interface, with presentations highlighting current research, knowledge transfer, and expert perspectives. Participants will then work in small groups to discuss key regional challenges, such as identifying geographical priority areas for research, addressing biodiversity and invasive species, compiling data on multiple stressors, and activating through emotions. The session concludes with group reporting and a wrap-up to synthesize insights and support future collaboration. 

Chair:

Henrik Ringbom (SOS, ÅAU)

Speakers:

Kristina Svels (Natural Resources Institute Finland)
Lasse Kurvinen (Metsähallitus)
Anton Lehtinen (Baltic Sea Action Group)

The workshop focuses on legal and other dilemmas that arise from private ownership of waters in relation to both nature conservation and restoration. The workshop includes short talks that will give an overview of these challenges and possible solutions, as well as a presentation on a more specific case of socio-ecological approaches among water owners and fishing communities in Åland. The presentations will be followed by joint discussion with the speakers and participants.

16:30–17:00 Meet & greet with SOS collaborators
17:00–17:30 Check-in at hotel reception (spa lobby)
18:00–20:00 Dinner
20:00–21:30 Bus transport from Kasnäs to Turku Cathedral (for those needing to return to Turku for the night)

DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 17.9.

8:00–9:30 Bus transport from Turku Cathedral to Kasnäs (for those arriving in the morning)
9:30–10:00 Arrivals & Coffee
9:30–10:00 Check-out at hotel reception (spa lobby)
10:00–11:45 Plenary session
Takeaways from day 1 workshops:

I A) Supporting marine ecosystem restoration through management, governance, and private interventions 

I B) Governance challenges in offshore wind development 

II A) Biodiversity shifts and multiple stressors at the land-sea interaction

II B) Challenges linked to private ownership of waters

11:45–12:00 Break
12:00–13:15 Keynote talk
Rethinking Ocean Protection: Towards the Enhancement of Policy Coherence to Restore the Climate System and Ocean Health

Leonardo Valenzuela Pérez
(Director of International Partnerships at Ocean Visions, USA)

13:15–13:30 Closing remarks
13:30–15:00 Lunch
15:00–16:30 Bus transport from Kasnäs to Turku Cathedral (stopping at Teboil Paimio at approx. 16:10).

Please note that the event is on-site only and online participation is not possible.

MAP OF KASNÄS RESORT

MAP OF ROUTE

REGISTRATION

Registration is now closed. If you would like to participate, please contact us at sos@abo.fi.

Registration includes:

  • access to all sessions in the program
  • transport between Turku city centre and Kasnäs
  • coffee and lunch on both days as marked in the program

Additionally, for attendees who selected the overnight stay option, accommodation at Kasnäs Hotel (incl. breakfast as well as spa and gym access) is included. Dinner is included for those who purchased the dinner ticket.