A consortium of 11 funding and research organisations
involved in marine science in the Baltic region was created with
the launch of the 'Bonus' project. On 13 January 2004 the
Commission announced that it would support the network with a three
million euro package as part of its effort to set up a
European Research Area
(ERA).
The organisations from four EU Member States (Denmark, Finland,
Germany, Sweden) and four accession countries (Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland) will pool their resources and co-ordinate their
research programmes on issues such as marine pollution and the
protection of natural resources. At a later date, 'Bonus' is
expected to lead to joint reserach programmes in the area of marine
research in the Baltic region. The project - which will also
involve the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea
(ICES) - is to be co-ordinated by the Academy of Finland.