Interview 
this system, one, which implemented it (I count 
myself to this generation), and one, which uses this 
technology as a standard. 
HN: In 2014, Rostock started the project »A city 
reads Uwe Johnson's >Jahrestage«<. Why did you 
join this event and recited a chapter in the radio? 
Jonas: Johnson wasn't published in the former 
GDR, that's why I didn't know his work. Maybe the 
Jahrestage wouldn't have attracted me because 
Johnson isn't an easy to read author. To broadcast 
a spoken text is a special form of absorbing it. You 
read the given lines over and over again and with 
an increased perception for the rhythm of the 
language. I really enjoyed being part of this city 
project. 
HN: What would you like to be able to do? 
Jonas: I would like to play the piano. 
HN: What do you know without being able to 
prove it? 
Jonas: I believe that we narrow our perception if 
we regard things only from the technical point of 
view and their usage. That's what I don't like about 
globalisation because this is not in our human na 
ture. The all-encompassing mechanisation hasn't 
brought any moral development globally. I believe 
that dealing with the ocean can help to develop 
a humanistic attitude. We all are fascinated by the 
ocean, the great expanse, which has mobilised the 
inventiveness and forces of mankind. I am sure that 
taking over responsibility for the ocean will lead us 
to a more respectful behaviour with our commu 
nity. 
HN: Finally, I would like to 
repeat the reporter's gues- 
tion: Mr. Jonas, how do you 
see the state of the Baltic 
Sea? 
Jonas: The Baltic Sea is in 
better shape than many 
of us believe, but it isn't as 
good as it should be. Cur 
rently, the greatest prob 
lems are still the phos 
phates and nitrates that 
the agriculture brings into 
the sea. Shipping traffic will increase. We must 
guarantee safe seafaring, prevent the introduc 
tion of foreign animals in ballast water and stick 
conseguently to the valid emissions of ship ex 
haust gases. Designated protected areas must 
be excluded from economic use. This demands 
counselling from the economy, regulation by 
administrations and the courage to implement 
unpopular measures. All political assurances are 
useless if we don't implement the knowledge 
that we have about the ocean. If we succeed then 
we are able to keep the Baltic Sea sound even un 
der a high usage pressure. A 
»Our aim must be to use 
hydrography visibly. My 
project o f the all physical 
sea chart would be suitable 
and maybe we are able 
to reposition hydrography 
in future under the aspect 
engineering the biue«< 
Mathias Jonas 
www.nicola-eng.de 
NICOLA 
ENGINEERING GmbH 
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY