On 15 September, Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris 2026 was awarded at Operaterrassen in Stockholm. H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria presented the prize to this year’s recipient, Associate Professor Henrik Svedäng.
The ceremony was moderated by Agnes Karlsson, one of the founders of Björn Carlson’s Baltic Fellows, and opened with a welcome speech by Bo Lehander, Chairman of Björn Carlsons Östersjöstiftelse. The 2023 prize winners, Daniel Conley and Jacob Carstensen, then presented their latest research, made possible through the prize funding.
Henrik Svedäng presented his scientific career and his decades-long work to advance knowledge in marine ecology, fisheries science and ecosystem-based management. His research has contributed to a deeper understanding of fish populations, including their structure, connectivity, migration behaviour, growth and historical development. A defining feature of Svedäng’s work is his view of fish as integral components of marine ecosystems, rather than merely exploitable resources. His research has highlighted how changes in key species such as cod and herring can have consequences throughout the marine food web, connecting sustainable fisheries with biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The ceremony concluded with a presentation by Carl André from the foundation’s board, who outlined a new direction for the foundation’s work. The foundation will continue to award Björn Carlsons Östersjöpris until 2035, the year Björn Carlson would have celebrated his 100th birthday. At the same time, the foundation is making a major new commitment to research. For the first time, it will support five major research projects through 2035, with SEK 50 million allocated to each project.
With this new commitment, the foundation’s total investments in the Baltic Sea will reach SEK 1 billion by 2035.
The ceremony was followed by a scientific reception hosted by Björn Carlsons Baltic Fellows, where guests had the opportunity to continue the discussions and exchange ideas.
