Description: The project was dedicated to assessing the influence of climate change and trawling activities on West Greenland’s seabed to promote sustainable marine resource management. Employing photographic surveys, it systematically documented the structure, function, and changes in benthic communities over 40 years, elucidating the impacts of over three decades of trawling and climate alterations on the continental shelf. Predictive modelling was employed to project future changes and potential recovery scenarios of affected benthic ecosystems within the prevailing impact regime. These findings, openly accessible, informed the formulation and evaluation of comprehensive management strategies for the sustainable utilisation of marine fishermen, industry stakeholders, and the public, emphasising the conservation significance of Greenland’s benthic habitats. Collaborative efforts with academic institutions and research bodies facilitated the creation of educational materials and innovative survey techniques, contributing substantially to the establishment of new protected areas in Melville Bay and advancing the project’s overarching goals.
Duration: 24 months
