Litter finds its way to seabird nests
Cormorants use the same nests year after year. An examination of the nests shows that they are accumulating more and more damaging litter every year. Pieces of rubbish that are discarded or abandoned, but remain in the nests, include plastic bag fragments, fishing gear, pieces of netting and plastic from consumer products and packaging.
Birds can get tangled up in litter in the nest, such as fishing line and ropes. The pieces of rubbish can be sharp and cause ulcers. They canalso release substances harmful to birds.
The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) investigated the presence of plastic rubbish in cormorant nests on four nesting islets in the Gulf of Finland. There was regional variation in the amount of litter, but 58% of the nests surveyed contained rubbish. Blasting wire from rock blasting sites was found on every nesting islet.
In the Merilintujen pesäroskat (seabird nest debris) photographic exhibition, you can see what the nests look like and learn more about research and ways to reduce litter.
The exhibition will be on display at the City of Helsinki offices in Kalasatama (Työpajankatu 8) from 11 to 30 March 2026, 1st floor, in front of the auditorium. The exhibition will be open from 8.00 to 16.00. Admission to the exhibition space is free.
City combats littering
The City of Helsinki aims to reduce litter in cooperation with its internal and external partners, such as event organisers, companies, schools and daycare centres. A total of nine measures to control littering have been specified in the Litter Control Action Plan for the years 2026–2029.
The seabird nest debris exhibition by Syke is part of communication efforts by the City to raise awareness of the impact of littering on the environment and animals. Previously, the City created the Litter Trail checkpoint trail on the environmental impacts of litter for school-age children and young people together with partners.
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Aiming for litter-free Helsinki – City to employ new ways to rein in litter generated by events