Moderators
Katja Laingui
Katja Laingui is a dedicated environmental professional with over 15 years of experience in operational management. Currently part of the management team at PROTECT BALTIC, she is passionate about marine environments, environmental education and sustainable development.
Katja has a strong background in marine biology and sustainable development, holding a B.Sc. from the University of Cape Town and a Postgraduate Diploma from Stellenbosch University.
Her career includes significant roles at the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation, where she managed finance and operations, and most recently co-leading the global and European planning of marine protected area (MPA) day. She has more than 10 years of experience in public speaking.
Paul Trouth
Paul Trouth is an experienced communications professional with over 15 years of experience in science communication, environmental policy and public engagement.
Currently Communications Coordinator at HELCOM and leading communications for PROTECT BALTIC, he is passionate about making complex scientific and policy issues accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Paul holds a Master's degree in English Philology from the University of Helsinki and has a background in education and communications. His career includes over a decade at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), where he communicated complex scientific and regulatory issues. He is also a European regional co-coordinator for MPA Day, helping to raise awareness of marine protected areas and their importance for ocean conservation.
Presenters
Jannica Haldin
Jannica Haldin can look back on over 10 000 hours of marine fieldwork and 15 years of experience in international environmental diplomacy and policy, focusing on marine governance, biodiversity, conservation, status assessment, sustainable fisheries and climate change. Working closely with ministries, sectors and international organizations, including the European Commission, CBD, ICES, IUCN, UNESCO and UNEP, has allowed her to represent the Baltic Sea from the local to the global stage.
At HELCOM she has led the most comprehensive status assessment ever undertaken for the region, pioneered the regional Climate Change Fact Sheet, and coordinated the Baltic Sea Action Plan update. As a Special Advisor, she is currently spearheading PROTECT BALTIC - the largest project in HELCOM's history.
Jenny Hertzman
Jenny Hertzman is a marine ecologist and international development specialist with a deep commitment to sustainable ocean governance. In 2008, she pioneered Sweden’s first snorkelling trail, sparking public engagement with marine biodiversity. Today, she works to strengthen Networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Sweden and the Baltic Sea, focusing on resilient ecosystems that safeguard ocean resources for future generations.
At the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM), Jenny drives capacity-building initiatives in the Western Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, promoting MPA networks and sustainable ocean use to reduce poverty and enhance livelihoods. Her work integrates climate adaptation, human rights, and gender equality, bridging management, science, policy, and local communities.
With over 20 years of experience in marine conservation—from being a local marine manager in southern Sweden to strategic roles at SwAM— Jenny combines practical fieldwork, stakeholder collaboration, and adaptive management (e.g., Conservation Standards). She thrives in multicultural settings, having lived and worked across Europe, Latin America, and Africa.
Roland Pesch
Roland Pesch is a landscape ecologist and physical geographer and works as a Professor of Fundamentals and Applications of Geographic Information Systems at the Institute of Applied Photogrammetry and Geoinformatics (IAPG) at Jade University of Applied Sciences in Oldenburg.
His research focuses on GIS-based analysis and modelling of spatial environmental data, with special focus on marine biotopes and habitats. For many years, he coordinated the comprehensive mapping and model-based delineation of seabed habitats in the German Exclusive Economic Zone of the North Sea and also contributed to international projects such as EMODnet and the EU-funded OSPAR project EcApRHA.
Since 2023, he has been leading the Spatial Modelling work package in PROTECT BALTIC project, which develops Baltic Sea-wide spatial models of marine species and habitats to support the assessment and further development of the marine protected area network.
Edmond Sacre
Edmond Sacre is a researcher within the Department of Aquatic Resources at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
His research focuses on the ecology and conservation of marine ecosystems, particularly regarding strategies and techniques for promoting biodiversity and ensuring healthy oceans. Crucial to this work has been the development of methods for systematic conservation planning and spatial prioritization to design optimal networks of marine protected areas.
Alongside this work, Edmond has focused on various techniques for mapping and understanding marine species and ecosystems, including species distribution modelling, connectivity modelling, and cumulative impact assessment.
Anna Törnroos-Remes
Anna Törnroos is Professor in Marine Ecology at Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland.
She leads the ÅAU Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Ocean Science (www.abo.fi/sos), an interdisciplinary center focused on marine biodiversity-related wicked problems and solutions.
Her background is in benthic functional ecology, specifically trait-based approaches to study seafloor functioning, which in the PROTECT BALTIC project have brought her to questions on how to include and link the ecosystem function and service concepts into marine protected area designation and planning.
Photo by: Linda Svarfar
Nivedhitha Ajithkumar
Nivedhitha Ajithkumar is a Geospatial Specialist working as a GIS Data Researcher at HELCOM. Her work focuses on developing GIS-based tools and spatial data solutions to support marine ecosystem services and spatial impact assessment.
She is currently completing her PhD in Satellite Remote Sensing at the University of Eastern Finland, where her research uses satellite data to detect and map dead trees for forest health monitoring and ecological research.
Estefania Cortez Gallegos
Estefania Cortez Gallegos is an environmental lawyer specialising in environmental and natural resources law, with a focus on climate change, marine conservation, ocean governance and biodiversity protection.
She is a Legal Expert and Project Manager at Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB), an NGO working to protect the Baltic Sea environment, where she contributes to PROTECT BALTIC.
Estefania holds a Joint Nordic LL.M in Environmental Law from Uppsala University, the University of Eastern Finland and the Arctic University of Norway. Her academic research covers legal frameworks for deep-sea mining, marine environmental protection and MPA governance. She previously advised private-sector clients on environmental and regulatory matters in Latin America, including the mining and agriculture sectors.
Within PROTECT BALTIC, she leads the collection and harmonisation of regional MPA management plan data to identify governance gaps and support effective protection. She also co-leads the analysis of Baltic MPA legal frameworks, examining barriers and opportunities for strengthening designation, management and enforcement across jurisdictions. Her work connects environmental law, marine science and conservation practice to advance ocean governance in the Baltic Sea.
Charlotte Berkström
Charlotte Berkström is an Associate Professor at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences with extensive experience on MPA-networks, connectivity, fish and fisheries in both the Global south and Global nort Charlotte Berkström is an Associate Professor within the Department of Aquatic Resources at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
Her research focuses on the ecology and conservation of marine ecosystems including networks of MPAs, connectivity, fish and fisheries in both the Global south and Global north.
Since 2023, she has been leading the Ecological Coherence work package in the PROTECT BALTIC project, which focuses on evaluating the development of the MPA network in the Baltic Sea, and identify where further development of the network is needed.
Darius Daunys
Darius Daunys is a Senior Researcher at the Marine Research Institute of Klaipėda University and holds a PhD in Aquatic Ecology. His main research background is in marine benthic ecology, with work contributing to the selection of conservation sites, the designation of coastal and offshore MPAs, the development of status indicators, and the assessment of marine habitats.
His work also includes contributions to the development and practical implementation of marine conservation measures under the Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the Nature Restoration Regulation.
Lasse Kurvinen
Lasse Kurvinen is a Senior Specialist in marine nature conservation at Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland, with extensive experience in international environmental policy and cooperation. He represents Finland in several regional and global processes, including HELCOM, the EU, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), contributing to marine protection, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem-based management.
His work focuses on marine protected areas, environmental indicators, and implementation of EU directives and global biodiversity commitments. Lasse has a strong track record in coordinating cross-border initiatives and translating scientific knowledge into policy-relevant actions in the
Baltic Sea region.
Luke Dodd
Luke F. Dodd is an environmental management and measures analyst at the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM).
His research focuses on increasing the effectiveness of practical environmental management through improved data management, access, and governance, and the identification and assessment of environmental programs of measures.
Niels Krabbe
Niels Krabbe (LL.D) is a legal researcher interested in how the law of the sea can be applied more dynamically to further the biological carbon pump and marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea and beyond.
In addition to his academic work he has worked in policy, having led the law of the sea work at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden during the EU presidency in 2023, representing the EU member states during the final phase of the BBNJ negotiations.
He is the recipient of the 2025 Baltic Sea grant and the 2025 French Institute Ocean Laureate.
