Published: 3.11.2025
Text: Leena Hulsi / Viestintätoimisto Jokiranta Oy

Improving the state of the Archipelago Sea is not only necessary to protect the unique nature – it is also vital for the well-being of the entire Turku region.

“We have one of the world’s finest archipelagos, which is a crucial appeal factor for our region. Our archipelago is also an internationally intriguing tourist destination in the same way as Lapland or the landscape of Koli National Park”, says Jouni Niuro, CEO of the Lieto Savings Bank Foundation.

“We must do everything in our power to help the Archipelago Sea, because its destruction would be a disaster for the Turku region as well as a significant national loss”, Niuro adds.

“We also need talented young people to save the Archipelago Sea, so we support the symposium by offering students free admission to the event”, says Jouni Niuro, CEO of the Lieto Savings Bank Foundation.

According to Niuro, the alarming state of the sea has long been known to anyone who spends time on or around the sea. He tells that he spends time boating especially in the northern area of the Archipelago Sea and around the Åland Islands, as well as holidaying at a cottage with his family in Kustavi year round.

“It’s an eye-opening experience to pass through the Kihti or Teili area of the archipelago in calm weather when the sea is full of blue-green algae. The situation needs to change, because for many, the Archipelago Sea is a true lifeline that surely no one wants to lose.”

The destruction of the Archipelago Sea would also negatively impact the business life of the Turku region.

“Any maritime business intended for recreational purposes will dry up if the sea is full of blue-green algae. We have to be able to stop the current development, since the archipelago has a lot to offer all of us”, Niuro says.

More co-operation is needed

Supporting the wellbeing of the Archipelago Sea is important for the Lieto Savings Bank Foundation, which is why it decided to become the main co-operative partner for the Baltic Sea Archipelagos Symposium to be held in 2026.

“Our rules state that one of our purposes is to support the vitality of Southwest Finland. We strongly believe that saving the Archipelago Sea is essential to the vitality of Southwest Finland”, Niuro emphasises.

The CEO of the Lieto Savings Bank Foundation, which supports the Archipelago Sea in many ways, is looking for broader and more intensive co-operation to protect the sea.

“Each small act is, of course, important, but I think we can truly get more accomplished by combining our resources. The current challenge is the fragmentation of efforts and activities. More impressive results could be achieved if we could collect a few million in funding for carefully selected individual projects.”

Niuro hopes that foundations, companies, higher education institutions and also farmers in Turku will get involved in the conservation efforts. He would like to stop the culture of blame aimed at farmers as well as the opposition between food production and water protection.

“We need to seek out solutions that will safeguard self-sufficient food production in a sustainable way. Work towards maritime conservation must also be done on the national level, since the state of the Archipelago Sea is not just a local problem.”

Niuro believes that the Baltic Sea Archipelagos Symposium will contribute to the establishment of collaborative networks and considers the event to be an important platform to spark new ideas and activities.

“The symposium is a great event. We are extremely happy to participate in events of this kind that promote something concrete. The Archipelago Sea is truly worth protecting”, Niuro says.

 

Symposium website: Baltic Sea Archipelagos Symposium