been used to support the statutory research of the Marine Station on the presence of harbour porpoises
under the action point entitled ‘Biological and ecological research of marine organisms and habitats
with view to implementing more effective methods of managing their resources and protection’. Our
support was used for making construction and technical improvements to the Zelint research unit which
allow for its all- year-round use for exploration of the Baltic basin. Our activities also led to the purchase of
special cod pots for testing purposes, which are safe for harbour porpoises and seals and also make it possible
to catch living fish. In the course of several years of our cooperation, more than 25 articles and scientific
papers reflecting the researching, as well as the scientific and educational potential of the Station’s
employees have been published.
Furthermore, Grupa LOTOS supported the SAMBAH (Static Acoustic Monitoring of the Baltic Sea Harbour
Porpoise) project by co-financing the equipment and modernization of the Zelint research unit, which
significantly aided the research on presence, distribution and habitat preferences of harbour porpoises.
SAMBAH is the biggest static acoustic monitoring project regarding harbour porpoises, whose study area
stretches from the Darss and Limhamn ridges in the southwest to the northern border of the Åland
archipelago in the north. Data reflecting changes in the distribution and density of these mammals are
necessary to identify areas of their presence and their habitat preferences as well as areas with higher risk of
conflicts with anthropogenic conflicts.
An important element of the project is to develop best practice methods for research of harbour porpoises in
a low density area and to increase the awareness among the communities of the presence of this endangered
species. The knowledge acquired should also serve to develop and later implement the most efficient
methods of monitoring the presence of these rare animals. The grant from Grupa LOTOS was used to
upgrade, to provide additional equipment to and to purchase elements of the research apparatus. In effect, it
is possible to preserve the continuity of research in all measuring units of the Marine Stations. The data
acquired will be analyzed and the results will be published in 2014.
In 2013, a number of educational campaigns informing about the threats to the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea
were launched in the Tri-city area. Such projects include the 'Blue Schools' on the Hel Peninsula where
children and teenagers can meet with educators teaching about the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea. In 2013,
courses offered by the ‘Blue Schools’ were attended by 4,300 students, while the Seal Centre (Fokarium), one
of the most important facilities of the Blue Village complex, attracted more than 400,000 visitors. During the
year, some 18,000 items of informational and educational materials were handed out by the IOUG Marine
Station and the FRUG Foundation at a number of their events. One of the most important events in 2013 was
the opening of the newly-built ‘House of the Harbour Porpoise’, a building serving academic and school
education purposes, with an exhibition hall and an outdoor exhibition area to be gradually extended in the
coming years. It is a unique bank of materials on the presence of harbour porpoises, sources of scientific
information as well as of scientific materials tailored for the general public which all promote knowledge on
this species.
In 2013, we once again engaged in the ‘Clean Up the World’ campaign, with our organization of the ‘Let’s
clean up the Baltic Sea! Let’s clean up the world!’ event. 700 children from 70 Tricity primary schools were
invited to join the initiative, which took place on Gdańsk beach. During the collective cleaning event, 18,000
litres of waste was collected in compliance with the rules of waste segregation, which is triple the amount
collected as compared to 2012. The initiative was inaugurated with a ceremony of planting a tree of ‘Lovers of
the Baltic Nature’, which was part of the jubilee celebrations of the 20th edition of the ‘Clean Up the World’
campaign in Poland, to which we were invited by the Our Earth Foundation. Divers of LOTOS Straż took part in
the cleaning of the seabed. The purpose of the event was to develop a sense of responsibility for the world
around us, particularly for protecting the Baltic Sea and keeping it clean.
The ‘Chronimy NATURĘ na Wyspie Sobieszewskiej’ (‘Protect the Wildlife of the Sobieszewo
Island’) programme
Together with the Ornithological Station at the Museum and Institute of Zoology (MIZ) of the Polish
Academy of Sciences, the Kuling Waterbird Research Group and the Association of Sobieszewo Island Lovers,
we pursue the ‘Chronimy NATURĘ na Wyspie Sobieszewskiej’ (‘Protect the Wildlife of the Sobieszewo Island’)
programme. The programme provides for comprehensive initiatives undertaken on Sobieszewo Island to
preserve its natural riches and provide for pro-environmental education. The work of the programme, which
was launched in 2009, has resulted in construction of protective infrastructure, for instance the development
of an educational eco-route within the ‘Mewia Łacha’ Reserve. The specially designed route, far away from
areas where birds’ breeding grounds and protected flora are located, is marked with educational info-boards
and enables visitors to see the reserve all year round.
Under the programme, we also pursue on-going ecological education activities for the residents and tourists.
The Kuling Group actively conducts educational sessions at its events such as ‘Biodiversity – learn to preserve’,
‘Baltic Science Festival’ and ‘Edu-picnic’. Apart from that, it also constantly monitors the ‘Mewia Łacha’ Nature
Reserve and, in 2013, it recorded 2,500 visitors, who were informed about the natural riches of the reserve,
the protected species residing in it and its habitats. As the administrator of the ‘Mewia Łacha’ Nature Reserve,
Kuling also conducts an annual survey among the residents of Sobieszewo Island to test their knowledge of
the reserve and of the protected species residing in it. The level of knowledge about the natural riches of the
reserve is very high – 94% of respondents said that they heard of and were in this place, and 63% heard of
and could name actions taken to protect the environment under the ‘Protect the Wildlife of the Sobieszewo
Island’ programme.
Our engagement in the protection of the reserve brings measurable effects such as successful clutches of
terns and other species of water birds. In 2013, 244 chicks of sandwich tern (Sterna Sandvicensis) were
ringed, as compared to 62 in 2012, and the number of sandwich tern nests also almost doubled, from 276 in
2013 to 415 in 2013. An important action undertaken in the ‘Mewia Łacha’ Reserve, which helps us enhance
our knowledge on protected bird species and those decreasing in population, is ringing. In 2013, the record
number of 196 common ringed plovers (Charadrius hiaticula) was ringed, whereas in 2012 there were only
- Since 2010, i.e. since the launch of the protective measures in the reserve under the ‘Protect the Wildlife
of the Sobieszewo Island’ programme, more than 8,500 birds of different species have been ringed.
In conjunction with the Ornithological Station, we also organize free-of-charge lectures for students of
Gdańsk schools. The idea of these lectures is to develop the young generation’s interest in ecology and
environmental protection, and to promote the Natura 2000 European Ecological Network. The lectures
entitled ‘Sobieszewo Island vs. Natura 2000 areas. Protection of birds and their habitats’ concern not only the
areas of natural beauty but also biology, ecology and recognizing different bird species with particular
emphasis on these species which reside on the Sobieszewo Island, including the birds migrating along the
Baltic coast.
In 2013, over 2,500 people benefited from the educational classes developed in the ‘Mewia
Łacha’ Nature Reserve as part of the ‘Protect the Wildlife of the Sobieszewo Island’
programme. In the educational activities organized by the Ornithological Station were
attended by almost 2,000 pupils from 34 primary and junior high schools in the Tri-city.
Maritime Education Programme
Another programme we support, implemented by the Gdańsk Foundation at the request of the Mayor of
Gdańsk, the Maritime Education Programme was initiated by Mateusz Kusznierewicz, the Ambassador for
Maritime Affairs of the City of Gdańsk. Its purpose is to expand young people's knowledge of the natural
environment, sailing, the maritime heritage of Gdańsk and water safety rules. Each year, all first class students
of junior high schools from Gdańsk (totaling approximately 3,500) take educational cruises along the Gdańsk
harbour channel and around the Gdańsk Bay, which last several hours at a time. Participation in the cruises is
free of charge. As part of the Maritime Education Programme, an environmental competition is also
organized, which in 2013 was held under the slogan ‘Don’t Pollute the Water’.
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Integrated Annual Report 2013 - Grupa LOTOS S.A. Win the Future