HELCOM has released a new educational adventure, inviting players to explore, and help save, one of the world’s most threatened marine ecosystems. Baltic Rescue – Match & Track was released today and is available free of charge online as a browser version and downloadable in major app stores.
This engaging match-3 puzzle game, developed in collaboration with Part of Noise Games and funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, raises awareness of the environmental pressures impacting the Baltic Sea. Players embark on a virtual diving journey through six unique locations from the Kattegat to the Bothnian Bay, each highlighting a key regional challenge such as biodiversity loss, sea-based activities, hazardous substances and litter, eutrophication, non-indigenous species as well as climate change.
Guided by Baltic Sea species like the harbour porpoise, blue mussel and ringed seal, players trace symptoms of environmental decline back to the human activities causing them. By solving match puzzles, they unlock new areas, collect Baltic Health Hearts and use them to purchase real-life tools and measures that help improve the sea’s condition.
Designed for both desktop and mobile devices and suitable for ages 8 and up, Baltic Rescue – Match & Track turns players into “diving detectives” who investigate, identify root causes, and take action to restore the health of the Baltic Sea.
How HELCOM’s new strategic approach is reshaping the regional response to hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea.
Water pollution concept. Woman scientist takes a water sample from polluted pond.
Laying the groundwork: strategic review for change
By the end of 2010s, HELCOM’s work on hazardous substances was still focused on a relatively limited number of substances. Actions and HELCOM Recommendations were often developed on an ad hoc basis and were not systematically linked to regularly updated assessments of the marine environment or pollutant loads. The regional context had also changed significantly since the Helsinki Convention was negotiated: by 2004, eight of nine HELCOM Contracting Parties were also EU member states, and chemicals regulation had become largely harmonized at the EU level.
Work began in spring 2020 on a comprehensive review of the HELCOM framework on hazardous substances. The review was carried out in cooperation with the Baltic Sea Centre of Stockholm University and supported by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, with all HELCOM Contracting Parties actively participating.
In 2021, a background report on an update of HELCOM work on hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea was published. The review concluded that while an existing HELCOM Recommendation had set out general principles for work on hazardous substances, there was no systematic mechanism for regularly updating the list of priority substances. Such a mechanism was needed to ensure that decisions were based on the latest data on inputs, environmental status and emerging substances of concern. HELCOM’s role in relation to other regional and EU-level policies also needed to be clarified, with a focus on identifying the specific added value of HELCOM’s activities.
These findings informed the 2021 update of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), through which the HELCOM Contracting Parties committed to several key actions. These included developing a regional strategic approach for managing hazardous substances, establishing a mechanism for managing the HELCOM list of priority substances, setting up procedures to use and build on data from other policy frameworks as well as updating the priority substances list and developing a regional action plan.
From strategic review to strategic approach
The development work began in October 2022. It was supported by two dedicated projects, HAPHazard and HAZ-SHAP, which ensured sufficient resources for the work. Clear requirements were defined for the new framework:
It should promote a truly holistic assessment of hazardous substances, covering a broad range of chemicals
It should link actions to the outcomes of the assessment, ensuring that measures target the most relevant substances and issues, including data and knowledge gaps
It should actively interact with existing policies, both by utilizing data generated by them and by influencing their further development, ensuring that HELCOM actions provide added value to – and function in synergy with – existing policies.
To inform the design, paradigms and mechanisms used under other policies or organizations, as well as examples from scientific literature, were reviewed to identify relevant elements for the regional marine framework. These insights, combined with creative development work, helped to define a high-level conceptual structure for the framework.
A series of informal consultation sessions of HELCOM’s Expert Group on Hazardous substances (EG Haz) and several ad hoc meetings helped to refine the concept into a fully functional mechanism. This was a systematic and iterative process, where national experts contributed knowledge, feedback and suggestions on optimizing the various parts of the framework’s mechanism. Throughout the whole process, the HELCOM Working Group on Source to Sea Management of Nutrients and Hazardous Substances and Sustainable Agricultural Practices (WG Source to Sea) provided overarching strategic guidance. By the end of 2023, a draft but operational version of the regional strategic approach was ready for testing – or rather its ‘primary run’. The finalized regional strategic approach consists of four main steps:
Holistic assessment of the state of the environment (levels of chemicals and observed biological effects), human activities and pressures (e.g. inputs to the Baltic Sea via different pathways).
Identification of substances or groups of substances of possible concern for the Baltic Sea, based on established criteria.
Updating of three priority lists (substances, sources of release, uncertainties to address).
Use of these lists as complementary perspectives to inspire adoption of measures of added value, following an analysis of the effectiveness and gaps in existing measures.
The approach was designed to be both flexible and systematic and to account for differences in the availability of data and resources as well as policy priorities. It ensures that each piece of information contributes clearly to understanding of the overall picture. The systematic structuring of available information also facilitates the identification of knowledge gaps in data or methodologies, helps express uncertainties and allows for easy integration of new scientific developments and data. Special attention was given in balancing the need for evidence with the precautionary principle.
The framework operates in recurring six-year cycles, designed to align with and draw data from other HELCOM processes ( HOLAS , PLC ) or regulatory frameworks (MSFD, WFD, REACH, etc.). In turn, the framework can support these processes by providing a basis for proposing new indicators and strengthening coordination of monitoring programmes, programmes of measures and regulatory actions.
Testing the approach: Short and long-term impacts
The year 2024 marked the first full application of the new approach. Key data sources were identified and used to support a holistic assessment that ultimately covered around 1,500 substances and substance groups. In parallel, several projects provided deeper insight into specific parts of the assessments, including biological effects, pharmaceuticals, PFAS substances and on non-target and suspect screening.
The careful design of the framework, its principles, definitions and mechanisms proved effective. It not only improved the efficiency of the process but also helped regional discussions focus on the specific characteristics of substances and the selection of appropriate policy options.
The work led to direct results, such as three agreed priority lists and 55 fact sheets, providing overviews for each highlighted substance or substance group, a tested regional strategic approach as well as a regional action plan on hazardous substances in preparation, outlining HELCOM’s role in relation to other policy frameworks.
One key realization from this process was that although one of the priority lists (‘Horizontal uncertainties to address’) still contained a number of priority needs, overall the gaps had been significantly reduced compared to the situation before the primary run.
There were also valuable indirect outputs. New databases were established for the Baltic Sea and its catchment area, compiling information on marine concentrations and estimated inputs for numerous substances and groups, based on data from national and international databases, screening campaigns, scientific articles and reports and using automated tools.
Ther long-term impacts of this work are expected to include new HELCOM indicators based on newly listed HELCOM priority substances, support to EU-level processes such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) as well as stronger, better coordinated regional work. The three priority lists convey a clear message to authorities and stakeholders, helping them focus on mitigating the highest risks and on addressing key knowledge gaps or methodological gaps.
Looking ahead: Building synergies and shared tools
Throughout the development and implementation, collaboration with other Regional Sea Conventions and organisations brought mutual benefits through shared expertise. These exchanges laid the foundation for future cooperation and joint initiatives. A great example is the Harmonised Regional Seas Assessment Tool (HARSAT) tool, a collaboration between the Baltic, North-east Atlantic and Arctic Regional Seas Conventions, supported by ICES, consultants and members of the relevant expert groups. This openly available tool improves the efficiency of statistical analysis of contaminant data in marine samples, enhancing indicator evaluations for hazardous substances across regions.
Written by Vasileios Kouloumpos, Project Researcher, HELCOM
This article was first published by UNEP in their StoryMapRegional Seas: Transforming Oceans, Empowering People
Whether you are an environmental manager shaping policy, a researcher exploring new findings or a young learner curious about the Baltic Sea, this material bank provides accessible, engaging and informative content, including briefs, online game, videos and more.
The material bank offers a wide range of products tailored for different users:
Briefs for scientists and policymakers, offering new perspectives on Baltic Sea-related topics
An action leaflet with practical, research-based steps to support our beloved sea
Through these materials, HELCOM seeks to foster ocean literacy and deepen understanding of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystems, challenges and opportunities. Dive in and explore a wealth of knowledge to support a sustainable future for the Baltic Sea!
This September, HELCOM and PROTECT BALTIC proudly took part in World Cleanup Day 2025, mobilizing efforts along the Finnish coast to tackle the growing challenge of marine litter.
Photo: HELCOM
Cleanup activities were held in Mustikkamaa in Helsinki and on the beaches of Uniluoto, Yyteri, and Kallo in Pori.
The events brought together enthusiastic young volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to collecting litter from shorelines and raising awareness of how pollution affects the Baltic Sea.
Plastic waste, cigarette butts, and other discarded items were removed from sensitive coastal environments, preventing them from entering marine ecosystems where they can harm wildlife and degrade habitats.
Photo: Kimmo Koivumäki
Beyond the immediate impact of removing waste, the cleanups also became a platform for dialogue and awareness-raising with the wider community. Curious passers-by stopped to ask questions, join short discussions, and learn more about how marine litter affects the Baltic Sea. These spontaneous interactions provided opportunities to highlight how everyday choices, such as reducing single-use plastics and disposing of waste responsibly, can make a difference.
By engaging both volunteers and onlookers, the events helped connect local action with HELCOM’s broader regional efforts to combat marine litter, an issue recognized as one of the key pressures on the Baltic Sea environment.
Photo: Kimmo Koivumäki
World Cleanup Day is a global initiative uniting millions of people across more than 150 countries in a single-day effort to address litter on 20 September. By joining this movement, HELCOM and PROTECT BALTIC underline the importance of collective action in achieving a cleaner and healthier Baltic Sea.
Contact
Paul Trouth Communications Coordinator paul.trouth@helcom.fi
The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), an intergovernmental organization (IGO) focused on the protection of the Baltic Sea environment, seeks two qualified legal consultants or firms:
One to undertake an independent primary legal review to assess the compatibility of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) activities with the Helsinki Convention.
One to provide an independent second-opinion review of the primary analysis.
This legal analysis will support HELCOM’s policy discussions on CCS in the Baltic Sea region. Applicants may submit tenders for either the primary legal review or the second-opinion review, or both. However, a single entity will not be awarded both assignments to preserve the independence of the reviews. Applicants must clearly indicate in their submission for which assignment they are applying.
The Baltic Sea needs urgent action. Ecosfera Baltica, a new educational board and online game, transforms science into interactive play — inviting players to work together to restore the sea.
Helsinki, FINLAND – August 28, 2025 – HELCOM, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, together with Julibert Games and Reaktor, today launched a new game where players team up with the shared mission of saving the Baltic Sea. By turning complex ecological concepts into accessible gameplay, the game demonstrates how play can foster environmental understanding and inspire action for a more sustainable future.
Ecosfera Baltica is an educational, cooperative multiplayer game that immerses players in the fragile marine ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. Offered both as a classic board game and a free interactive online version, it invites players to team up, make strategic decisions, and tackle environmental threats, all while having fun.
The Baltic Sea’s condition is becoming increasingly critical, as pollution, marine biodiversity loss, and a changing climate push its ecosystems. Rooted in science and inspired by the findings of HELCOM’s State of the Baltic Sea 2023 report, Ecosfera Baltica encourages players to broaden their understanding of ecological principles, marine species and habitats and most importantly: the value of collaboration.
“It is amazing how well the complex Baltic Sea ecosystem can be translated into a board and online game,” said Jannica Haldin from HELCOM. “Ecosfera Baltica lets us explore our relationship with the environment. While we can cause harm, we also have the power to provide solutions or prevent damage. The game has strong educational value, but these aspects are subtly built into the gameplay as the main focus is on a varied and exciting gaming experience”.
Designed for players aged 8 and up, the game is colorblind-friendly and largely language-independent. Rulebooks are currently offered in eight languages: English, Finnish, Swedish, Estonian, Danish, German, Russian, and Lithuanian, with more Baltic Sea languages on the way. To support environmental education, over 1,500 copies of the board game will be distributed free of charge to schools, libraries, and public institutions across the Baltic Sea region. The digital version, developed together with Reaktor, is open-access and globally available.
“For Reaktor, the development of the online version of Ecosfera Baltica has been both rewarding and exploratory. Saving the Baltic Sea is a mission we strongly support as a company, and it was inspiring for our team to figure out how to bring the board game experience online,” says Pauliina Luhtanen, SVP for Gaming at Reaktor.
The development of Ecosfera Baltica was made possible through the support of the Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation.
For anyone interested in trying out Ecosfera Baltica, either as a board game or in its digital version, the game will be showcased today, 28 August, at the EU@Oodi stand on the first floor of Oodi as part of the Baltic Sea Festival, from 12:00 to 19:00.
The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – also known as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) – is an intergovernmental organisation (IGO) and a regional sea convention (the Helsinki Convention) in the Baltic Sea area. A regional platform for environmental policy making, HELCOM was established in 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution. The headquarters of HELCOM, the Secretariat, is in Helsinki. helcom.fi
About Reaktor
Reaktor is a global technology and design consultancy solving highly complex, mission-critical challenges in the most demanding industry sectors. Reaktor’s expertise spans the full lifecycle of problem-solving — from pioneering data and AI to strategy, design, development, delivery and continuous services — anchored in deep industry know-how and high-performing teams. Founded in 2000, Reaktor has 700 employees and offices in Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, New York, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Stockholm, and Tokyo. Reaktor’s clients include Adidas, HBO, Supercell, Cathay Pacific, and KONE. reaktor.com
About Julibert Games
Julibert Games is an independent board game publisher from Finland, specializing in educational games and firmly committed to producing games with a minimal environmental footprint. All Julibert Games titles are produced in Europe with carbon-neutral processes using energy sourced entirely from renewable origins. julibert.com
Media contacts
For HELCOM Eeva Nyyssönen Communication Secretary, HELCOM eeva.nyyssonen@helcom.fi +358 40 647 3996
For Reaktor Anne Karumo Head of Communications and Marketing anne.karumo@reaktor.com +358 44 493 8533
From August 26–28, 2025, Świnoujście will become the center of the international BALEX DELTA 2025 exercise, dedicated to combating marine pollution. The Maritime Search and Rescue Service in Poland is the main organizer of the event, while the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Office is responsible for coordination of the land portion.
The exercise scenario involves a collision of vessels in the Baltic Sea, resulting in a fuel spill and water contamination. Some of the pollution ends up on the beach between Świnoujście and Międzyzdroje, contaminating a section of the coast and the birds nesting along the shore.
Nearly 400 people representing services, inspections, and organizations from Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Germany, and Sweden will participate in the exercise. Dozens of vessels, as well as rescue and environmental teams, will be involved.
About BALEX DELTA
The annual international marine pollution response exercise in the Baltic Sea, BALEX, is held in accordance with the 1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (the Helsinki Convention). The Convention mandates cooperative responses and preparedness among the Baltic Sea States for large-scale accidents.
The general objective of the BALEX exercises is to ensure that every Contracting Party is able to lead a major response operation.
BALEX exercises are hosted by the Contracting Parties according to a schedule agreed on by the HELCOM Response Working Group. BALEX has been held every year since 1989.
HELCOM, together with partners, brought the issue of submerged munitions in European seas to the forefront during a side event of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3). The event, “No Time to Waste: Tackling Submerged Munitions in European Seas”, was held aboard the German research vessel Meteor on June 11, 2025, gathering around 80 participants, including decision makers, scientists and NGOs.
Organized by HELCOM, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), and the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the side event highlighted the urgent need for joint action and open dialogue on the risks posed by the millions of tons of conventional and chemical munitions dumped into European seas after the World Wars.
The programme featured a panel discussion on “The Baltic Perspective: front-runner regional approaches to addressing a global threat”, alongside thematic islands that showcased best practices for marine munition research and remediation. International experts presented approaches and solutions developed in ongoing national and international projects.
Panelists at the event (from left): Delilah Al Khudhairy, Agnieszka Jędruch, Stefan Mehlhase and Rüdiger Strempel. Photo: Sarah Uphoff/GEOMAR
At the panel, experts made personal commitments to ensure that the issue translates into tangible progress:
Delilah Al Khudhairy, European Commission (DG MARE), pledged stronger cooperation with HELCOM and the Coordination Centre for Submerged Munitions (CSS) to advance the EU’s Ocean PACT strategy.
Agnieszka Jędruch, Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, vowed to ensure that research outcomes from projects such as MINIMAP and MUNIRISK are turned into real-world action.
Stefan Mehlhase, BMUKN, committed to advancing the construction of a dedicated disposal facility within the munitions action programme.
Rüdiger Strempel, HELCOM Executive Secretary, promised HELCOM’s continued dedication to maintaining momentum: “We don’t have time to lose — and we won’t relent.”
The event was supported by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN), JPI Oceans, and the German Environment Agency (UBA).
The 2025 UN Ocean Conference was held in held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.
HELCOM has been awarded the prestigious Professor Kazimierz Demel Medal, recognising its outstanding scientific and organisational contributions in biology, ecology, fisheries and the promotion of marine science.
HELCOM’s Executive Secretary Rüdiger Strempel accepted the Medal on behalf of the organisation at a ceremony held on 28 May 2025 in Gdynia, Poland.
“This medial is a tribute to all those in the HELCOM community who work untiringly to achieve our vision of good environmental status for the Baltic Sea and to those on whose shoulders we stand”, he said.
The Professor Kazimierz Demel Medal is a prestigious distinction awarded for outstanding scientific and organizational achievements in the fields of biology, ecology, and fisheries, as well as for significant contributions to the promotion of marine science. It is presented to individuals and institutions, both Polish and international, based on nominations reviewed by the Medal Chapter, which includes previous laureates, the Chair of the Scientific Council, and the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
Photo: National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Poland
The high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (the 2025 UN Ocean Conference) will be held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica.
HELCOM is involved in organising two side events at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, both taking place on 11 June 2025. These events are open to the public either via on-site participation or live streaming.
No time to waste: Tackling submerged munitions in European seas
When: 11 June 2025, 18:00-20:00 Where: Research vessel METEOR, Port of Nice, France Hosted by: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), and the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
The event aims to highlight the urgent need for joint action and open dialogue concerning submerged munitions in the sea. It will bring together decision makers, offshore infrastructure developers, security agencies, NGOs and representatives from ongoing national and international research projects to address the global issue of munitions in the sea. The event will include a panel discussion on ‘The Baltic Perspective: front-runner regional approaches to addressing a global threat’.
The sea knows no borders: transboundary protection for a thriving Baltic
When: 11 June 2025, 09:15-11:00 Where: Le Cabo Coworking, 6 Rue du Congrès, 06200 Nice, France Hosted by PROTECT BALTIC project
This side event will showcase how Baltic Sea nations have come together to transform their commitment to accelerating marine protection efforts into concrete action. Representatives from key institutions, policymakers, civil society and conservation practitioners will be invited to share their views on the initiative and their experiences in, and expectations of, this unparalleled endeavor to enhance marine biodiversity protection on a sea-basin scale.
