On Saturday, 22 August, Öresund Patrol joined Havets Folkemøde at Solrød Strand at Köge Bay, just outside Copenhagen – a day dedicated to celebrating the sea and bringing people together around its future.

The event attracted a great mix of people: families, children, politicians, researchers, organisations and other stakeholders, all sharing an interest in the ocean and the challenges facing it.

For Öresund Patrol, it was a great opportunity to bring a little piece of the underwater world to the beach.

Our tent became a place for conversations, curiosity and discovery. Visitors could explore a small photography exhibition and glimpse the hidden landscapes and life beneath the surface of Öresund. Two small aquariums helped make some of the sea's challenges tangible: one showed what happens to a seabed when oxygen disappears, while the other showed how mussels naturally filter and clean the water.

We were also very happy to collaborate with Nothing Fishy, a plant-based alternative to fish. Chef Jared Christensen was there serving small bites for visitors to taste – offering another way to start conversations about our relationship with the ocean, food and the pressure we place on marine ecosystems.

The response was fantastic. People were genuinely curious, asking questions and taking the time to talk about the sea, its future and what we can do to protect it.

And plenty was happening around us. With talks and discussions on the stage, activities on the beach and a great mix of organisations sharing their knowledge and ideas, the whole day had an inspiring and engaging atmosphere.

Helene on our team gave a talk about the importance of making the underwater world visible. Through photography and visual storytelling, Öresund Patrol aims to reveal both the beauty and the challenges beneath the surface – helping people see, understand and ultimately care more deeply about the sea.

For us, Havets Folkemøde reminded us of the power of bringing people together around the sea. Because protecting Öresund starts with knowing it, understanding it – and, perhaps most importantly, caring about it.

We were very happy to be part of the conversation – and to share it with so many people who care about the future of our sea.
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This year marked the 4th annual edition of Havets Folkemøde, hosted in collaboration with Køge Bugt Alliancen (which consists of the municipalities around Køge Bugt) and the local department of Danmarks Naturfredningsforening. Öresund Patrol would like to thank Solrød Kommune for the invitation and congratulate them on the successful event.