LIFE Lophelia
Welcome to the LIFE Lophelia final conference on the 2nd – 3rd September 2025 at TanumStrand, Grebbestad, Sweden.
The aim of this LIFE project was to develop a cost-effective method to restore reef habitats of the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa (syn. Desmophyllum pertusum) using artificial reefs to facilitate spontaneous larval settlement. These reefs are now deployed in the Natura 2000 Kosterfjord-Väderöfjord area along the Swedish west coast with the goal to restore ecosystem services and provide blue infrastructure.
The first day we will present the methodological development and results from the project, preparatory studies, the restoration itself and monitoring. We will also have presentations from other ongoing deep-sea restoration projects in Europe; REDRESS Länk till annan webbplats., LIFE ECOREST Länk till annan webbplats., and LIFE DREAM Länk till annan webbplats..
On the second day we will visit a reef site by boat and look at corals and artificial reefs with a live video. During this day we will also have a workshop about restoration. The overall objective at EU level is to put in place restoration measures on at least 20 percent of sea areas by 2030, and in all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. How do we achieve this? What is needed for us as researchers and managers to be able to accomplish this and how can we better work together?
More information and a detailed agenda will come in late April when we also open registration.
Looking forward to seeing you,
The LIFE Lophelia team
Day 1 – Tuesday 2 September
09.30 Registration and coffee
10.00 Welcome and introduction
10.30-12.00 The LIFE Lophelia project, background and restoration sites:
- About the project
- Cold-water corals: Ecology, threats and status of Swedish reefs
- Environmental conditions, biodiversity and selection of restoration sites
12.00-13.00 Lunch
13.00-15.10 Invited speakers from other coral restoration projects in Europe:
- Speakers from the REDRESS Horizon project (Anthony Grehan & Marina Carreiro Silva)
- Speaker from LIFE DREAM (Federica Foglini)
- Speaker from LIFE ECOREST (Andrea Gori)
15.10-15.40 Coffee
15.40-17.40 The LIFE Lophelia project, development of reefs and implemented restoration:
- Experiments in lab and field
- Reef design and spacing
- Manufacturing and deployment
- Monitoring
17.40-18.00 Questions and discussion
19.30 Dinner at the hotel
Day 2 – Wednesday 3 September
Breakfast
Group A
8.30-11.30 Boat trip with R/V Nereus: visiting a reef site with corals and artificial reefs with a live video
Group B
8.30-10.30 Workshop about restoration
Introduction and questions to discuss in smaller groups
The overall objective at EU level is to put in place restoration measures on at least 20% of sea areas by 2030, and in all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. How do we achieve this? What is needed from us as researchers and managers to be able to accomplish this and how can we better work together?
10.30-11.00 Reporting in plenary from group discussion
Group A & B
11.30-12.30 Lunch
Group B
12.30-15.30 Boat trip with R/V Nereus: visiting a reef site with corals and artificial reefs with a live video
Group A
12.30-14.30 Workshop about restoration
Introduction and questions to discuss in smaller groups
The overall objective at EU level is to put in place restoration measures on at least 20% of sea areas by 2030, and in all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. How do we achieve this? What is needed from us as researchers and managers to be able to accomplish this and how can we better work together?
14.30-15.00 Reporting in plenary from group discussion
Group A & B
15.30-16.00 Summary of group discussions
16.00-16.15 Closing the conference
Target Group
The target group is managers and researchers who work with marine species and biotopes in need of restoration. The conference will be held in English.
Practical Information
Deadline for registration is August 4th - later registration may be possible, please contact Anita Tullrot (see end of page).
- Var:
- Tanumstrand, Grebbestad
- Kostnad:
- The conference is free of charge, but accommodation costs 1400 SEK/person/night and is paid by the participants on site.
- Sista anmälningsdag:
- 04 aug 2025
Register
It is important that you fill in a valid email address so that you receive confirmation of your registration.
How we handle your personal data
Please send other information about, for example, special diets, allergies or assistive devices separately via email to the contact person for the event, anita.tullrot@lansstyrelsen.seContact
Anita Tullrot
anita.tullrot@lansstyrelsen.se
010-224 47 42
