Background Areas outside territorial waters have not been studied in a context of the Birds and Habitats Directives either from a species or habitat perspective. Broad-scale sediment and bathymetric charts indicate potential reef areas in all three proposed project territories: Klaipeda-Ventspils Plateau, Sambian Plateau, Klaipeda Bank. Reefs are included in the Annex I of the Habitats Directive. The complex topography of the seabed means that all three project areas are important for fish species, such as pelagic-neritic anadromous twaite shad (Alosa fallax) or demersal anadromous common whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), which are protected by the Habitats Directive. Both species spawn in the freshwater Curonian Lagoon, but during spawning migrations inhabit some Baltic Sea coastal areas in Lithuania. It is largely unknown how both species use their habitats during the juvenile feeding and maturation stages; therefore fish inventory surveys are necessary to provide background data on these offshore habitats. Such information will enable the development and implementation of conservation measures. A bird inventory will focus on the identification of the staging areas for the wintering and/or migratory birds, which meet national SPA designation criteria (i.e. exceed 1% of the biogeographical population), including the red-throated diver (Gavia stellata), black-throated diver (Gavia arctica), velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca), long-tailed duck (Clangulahyemalis), razorbill (Alca torda), guillemot (Uria allge) and black guillemot (Cepphus grylle). Should important staging areas of other seabird species be recorded, it is intended that these will be incorporated into the Natura 2000 network. Objectives The LIFE project aims to conduct inventories of marine species and habitats in the offshore waters of the Lithuanian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and designate Natura 2000 areas selected during site evaluation. Specifically, the project aims to: Evaluate sites project areas in the offshore part of the Lithuanian EEZ with respect to habitat types and species listed in the Birds and Habitats Directives for designation of Natura 2000 areas; Disseminate project results about marine values and conservation needs to multiple levels of users; and Elaborate recommendations for adequate and efficient conservation of habitats and species in the offshore areas of the Lithuanian EEZ. Expected results: Maps with the information provided by the project will cover 137 850 ha of marine territory of the Lithuanian EEZ (approx. 30% of the total EEZ). Habitat maps featuring Habitats Directive Annex I habitat types for each target area will be produced: higher resolution full cover maps will be produced for Natura 2000 areas, and lower resolution maps will be provided for the entire target areas. Inventories of underwater habitats, fish and bird populations will result in separate maps reflecting distributions/movements of recorded important species. An integrated map of major marine values will be provided; Evaluation of the project areas will result in a GIS database, which will integrate information from individual inventories and existing data on human impacts in the EEZ of Lithuania. A technical report with detailed description of the site evaluation procedure and GIS database layers will be produced. Recommendations for further EEZ planning processes, EIA procedures and valuation of marine environment will be drawn up; The Natura 2000 sites will be officially designated and their individual statutes approved by the order of the competent authority by 2015; Awareness raising and dissemination activities will produce the following: an interactive 3D exhibition of the Baltic Sea ecosystem in the Lithuanian Sea Museum (attended by some 500 000 visitors per year); a handbook on marine natural values (2 000 copies); a layman’s report (1 000 copies); an international conference for around 50 participants; and a project website.