Baltic Sea Award to Jan Marcin Węsławski for four decades of marine research
Professor Jan Marcin Węsławski of Poland has been awarded the Baltic Sea Award 2026 for his significant and long-standing contribution to Baltic Sea research. For more than four decades, he has studied marine ecosystems while also working to make scientific knowledge accessible beyond academia. In Poland, he has become a prominent voice for the Baltic Sea and its vulnerable coastal environment.
– Jan Marcin is in many ways ‘Mr Baltic Sea’ in Poland – a scientist who has devoted his entire career to advancing our understanding of the sea. His combination of scientific excellence, public outreach and deep commitment to the Baltic Sea is something we particularly want to recognise with this award,” says Sara Arons, managing director of Östersjöfonden, the Baltic Sea Foundation.
Jan Marcin Węsławski is a marine biologist and professor emeritus at the Institute of Oceanology in Sopot. His research career spans more than 40 years and includes over 140 scientific publications on the Baltic Sea, the polar regions and other marine environments.
A recurring theme throughout his research has been how human activities and climate change affect marine ecosystems. His work has addressed issues including biodiversity and pollution, while also drawing attention to a previously relatively overlooked part of the Baltic Sea environment: sandy beaches and the coastal zone.
His research has demonstrated the importance of beach ecosystems and how they are affected by mass tourism and other human activities. By linking ecological change to the ways in which coastal areas are used for tourism, fisheries, industry and development, he has contributed important knowledge for both nature conservation and sustainable development.
Research revealing both progress and emerging threats
Węsławski’s research has provided a long-term perspective on how the Baltic Sea is changing. By following environmental developments in the Gulf of Gdańsk over four decades, he and his colleagues have shown that environmental measures can produce positive results. Levels of certain toxic pollutants have declined, while previously degraded habitats, including seagrass meadows, have recovered.
At the same time, their studies show that new problems are emerging. Climate change, oxygen depletion and changes in fish stocks present new challenges.
Węsławski has also played a prominent role in European marine research and several major international research collaborations. Since 2022, he has led the EU-funded MARBEFES project, bringing together 24 European research institutions to study marine biodiversity.
Taking science beyond academia
An important part of Węsławski’s work has been bringing science beyond the academic community. He has involved the public through citizen science initiatives such as the Baltic Sea Bioblitz and initiated projects that connect science with wider society. One example is Women’s Visions of the Sea, which brought together more than 40 female marine scientists and artists to explore marine science through art.
– Jan Marcin Węsławski’s scientific contribution is difficult to capture in just a few sentences. Equally impressive is his willingness to share his knowledge and his time. Despite a long and distinguished research career, he always makes time for others. That generosity has made a strong impression on us,” says Sara Arons, Managing Director of Östersjöfonden.
Jan Marcin Węsławski will receive the award at the Baltic Sea Awards in Mariehamn on 2 October 2026. The award carries a prize of €20,000.
Award motivation
Jan Marcin Węsławski is awarded the Baltic Sea Award for his long-standing and influential work in highlighting how factors such as pollution, climate change, and tourism impact the Baltic Sea’s ecosystems. He has particularly emphasized the crucial role of biodiversity in maintaining resilient and sustainable ecosystems. Through decades of research, including extensive studies of the Gulf of Gdańsk, he has demonstrated both that environmental measures can deliver tangible results and that new, climate-driven challenges continue to emerge. Jan Marcin Węsławski’s work is characterized by a strong commitment to reaching beyond academia, where he engages in citizen science, science communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration, resulting in greater understanding and broader engagement in the Baltic Sea’s future.
About the award
The Baltic Sea Award is the original award established by Östersjöfonden and is being presented for the 37th time this year. It recognises long-term and particularly significant contributions to the Baltic Sea environment.
Contact
Sara Arons, Managing Director, Östersjöfonden
+358 457 345 9889
sara.arons@ostersjofonden.org
Jan Marcin Węsławski, award recipient
+48 669 450 000
weslaw@iopan.gda.pl
Media
Photos of Jan Marcin
Video about Jan Marcin