Køge Bay marine life will be mapped in a new two-year project backed by the municipalities along the bay, as local authorities seek stronger evidence on how to improve the marine environment south of Copenhagen. The initiative, supported mainly by the philanthropic organisation Seabreak, will examine underwater nature in one of Denmark’s most densely used coastal areas before the next negotiations on Denmark’s Marine Spatial Plan (Danmarks Havplan).
Køge Bay municipalities want evidence before marine decisions
The municipalities along Køge Bugt, the bay stretching along the coast south of Copenhagen, want to investigate what is happening beneath the sea surface before deciding how the marine environment should be improved in the coming years.
The project is led through Køge Bugt Alliancen, a cooperation between the municipalities of Stevns, Køge, Solrød, Greve, Ishøj, Vallensbæk and Brøndby. Its aim is to map the bay’s animals, plants and habitats, and to provide a stronger factual basis for future environmental decisions.
For local authorities, the issue is not only ecological. Køge Bay is also a recreational area used by residents for swimming, coastal activities and everyday access to the sea.
Køge’s mayor, Ken Kristensen from the Liberal Party (Venstre), framed the initiative as a long-term responsibility towards the next generations. “I want to ensure that my children and grandchildren can also swim in Køge Bay, as I did when I was a child,” he said, according to DR. “It is important that we take care of our marine environment.”
The project reflects a broader shift in local environmental policy: municipalities are increasingly seeking data before proposing restoration measures, rather than relying only on general assessments of coastal decline.
Seabreak funding turns Køge Bay into a marine test area
The mapping project has received major support from Seabreak, which is financing most of the work. Local announcements describe a total project value of about DKK 3.8 million (around €509,000), including DKK 3.1 million (around €416,000) from Seabreak and additional contributions from Køge Bugt Alliancen and partner organisations.
DR reported that almost DKK 3.3 million (around €442,000) has been allocated to the mapping of the marine environment. The difference reflects how the project is described across sources: the narrower figure refers to the main allocation, while municipal and partner sources present the wider pilot project budget.
The project began on 1 May 2026 and is expected to run for two years. It will involve several knowledge partners, including Tænketanken Hav, NIVA Danmark, Danmarks Miljøportal, Aarhus University and the University of Copenhagen.
The goal is to test a more ecosystem-based approach to marine planning, with Køge Bay used as a pilot area. Such surveys can help identify where habitats are under pressure, where restoration could be most effective, and which measures may be needed to support biodiversity and improve water quality.
Danmarks Havplan gives the survey national relevance
The timing is politically significant. The mapping is expected to feed into the discussions on Danmarks Havplan, with negotiations scheduled to begin in September 2027.
Marine spatial planning determines how sea areas can be used for purposes such as nature protection, offshore energy, fisheries, shipping, aquaculture and coastal development. Denmark’s current maritime spatial plan introduced a more coordinated framework for the country’s sea areas, replacing a more fragmented approach with a long-term, cross-sector plan.
That makes the Køge Bay seabed survey more than a local environmental project. It is also an attempt to make sure that municipalities along the bay have stronger evidence when national decisions on sea use are discussed.
The initiative also comes after Køge Bay was included among Denmark’s first marine nature national parks, strengthening its role in the country’s wider debate on marine protection and restoration.
Coastal waters remain a Nordic environmental pressure point
The condition of Danish coastal waters has become a growing political and environmental issue. Many coastal areas face pressure from nutrient pollution, loss of marine habitats, oxygen depletion, construction, shipping and competing claims over sea space.
In that context, Køge Bay is a relevant test case. It lies close to the capital region and combines residential coastlines, recreational beaches, infrastructure and ecological concerns. Decisions on the bay’s future therefore involve both local quality of life and national marine policy.
A detailed survey of underwater life could help municipalities argue for targeted restoration instead of broad, symbolic measures. It may also show where the bay’s natural systems are still resilient, and where intervention is more urgent.
The project does not by itself restore the marine environment. Its value will depend on whether the findings lead to concrete measures, such as habitat restoration, better protection of sensitive areas, improved monitoring or stronger limits on activities that damage the seabed and water quality.
Local knowledge could shape Denmark’s sea policy
The planned Køge Bay marine life survey shows how local governments can play a role in Denmark’s wider marine debate. By collecting evidence before the next negotiations on Danmarks Havplan, the municipalities are seeking to influence decisions that are often made at national level but have direct consequences for coastal communities.
The initiative also points to a wider Nordic and European challenge: restoring marine ecosystems while managing the growing demand for sea space. For Køge Bay, the immediate goal is clearer knowledge. The next question will be whether that knowledge leads to stronger protection of the bay’s underwater life and cleaner coastal waters for future generations.
