Klaipeda University was founded in 1991, at the beginning of the Reestablishment of Lithuanian Independence. This is the only university in the coastal region. It is integrating the western part of Lithuania into the country’s economy, education and academic life. Presently the University comprises seven faculties with more than 50 departments and several research and educational institutes.
The Coastal Research and Planning Institute (KUCORPI) is a research and education unit within the Klaipeda University. The main tasks of the Institute are to facilitate development of interdisciplinary coastal marine and estuarine science; support environmental studies at the University; and meet practical needs of the region in applied environmental research.

The research fields are: system analysis and ecological modelling, plankton and benthic ecology of transitory ecosystems, fishery biology and riverine ecosystem remediation and aquatic invasive species.
In 2002 KUCORPI was recognized as a Centre of Excellence between research institutes in the NAS states. This resulted in the contract EVK3-CT-2002–80007 (Project title “Coastal and Lagoon Resource Center”) aimed at further development of the institute and its involvement into the European research area.

RESEARCH TEAM: Sergej Olenin