Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

HELCOM Maritime receives Baltic Sea Fund Prize 2017 and contributes to award debate on the future of alternative fuels in shipping.HELCOM launches the first meeting of the GREEN TEAM group, to take further steps to shape the future of clean shipping and alternative fuels in the Baltic Sea.Baltic Sea NECA, and the GREEN TEAM as its follow up, registered by HELCOM as a voluntary commitment for the United Nations Ocean Conference 5-9 June 2017.The future of clean shipping and alternative fuels in the Baltic Sea will be debated today in Mariehamn, Finland at a seminar organised on the occasion of the Baltic Sea Fund prize 2017. The day will also feature the award of the main Prize to the HELCOM Maritime Working group, first announced in 12 April.At the seminar the Chair of HELCOM Maritime, Anna Petersson (Swedish Transport Agency) and Vice Chairs Natalia Kutaeva (Marine Rescue Service of Rosmorrechflot) and Jorma Kämäräinen (Finnish Transport Safety Agency) will present the groups achievements and future work, as well as participate in a panel debate -with a focus on the future of alternative fuels in shipping.The other speakers and panellists will include Ville Niinistö, Member of Parliament and former Minister of the Environment (Finland), Ulf Hagström Senior Vice President of Viking Line and Alef Jansson Director Goodtech Environment.The main Prize was justified by the contributions of the HELCOM Maritime Working group to the recent regulatory developments in the region, namely restrictions to Nox emissions from ships exhaust gases and sewage discharges from passenger ships.In order to follow up the recent developments and accelerate regional work on green shipping technology and alternative fuels HELCOM has launched a public-private platform (HELCOM GREEN TEAM).The first meeting of the group will take place on Tuesday 5 September 2017 on the Island of Donsö in the Gothenburg archipelago back to back with the Donsö Shipping Meet 2017.HELCOM has also highlighted the work on the Baltic Sea NOx Emission Control Area for ships, and the GREEN TEAM as its follow up, by making a voluntary commitment registered for the . * * *Note for editorsHELCOM is an intergovernmental organization made up of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Founded in 1974, its primary aims as the governing body of the Helsinki Convention are to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution. This includes pollution from ships and safe maritime navigation, fields where the work involves regional dimensions of IMO regulations and initiatives. The full official name of HELCOM is the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission.HELCOM Maritime Working Group of HELCOM identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and finds ways for safer navigation. Established in 1975, the group also deals with the harmonized implementation and enforcement of international shipping regulations.The Maritime group has a number of advisory expert bodies including the HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management (regional dimensions of implementing the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention), Expert group on safety of navigation, Working group for mutual exchange and deliveries of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, Green technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for Shipping (GREEN TEAM), and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (PRF).The Åland Foundation for the Future of the Baltic Sea, also known as , was founded in 1989 through a private donation of half a million euro. The initiator and donator was Councillor of Commerce Anders Wiklöf.* * *For more information, please contact:Hermanni Backer>Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Fish>HELCOM>Tel:  +358 46 8509199>Skype: helcom02>E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi

HELCOM Maritime receives Baltic Sea Fund Prize 2017 and contributes to award debate on the future of alternative fuels in shipping.

The current and future uses of the regional HELCOM AIS data were discussed in a dedicated open seminar this week at the HELCOM Secretariat. The open event, part of recent fast developments around one of the first regional AIS data networks, was attended by researchers, national AIS data experts and companies.Since the launch in 2005 the HELCOM AIS network has enabled the HELCOM Contracting Parties (Denmark, Estonia, European Union (EMSA), Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden) as well as Norway to share the live Automatic Identification System (AIS) data received by their national base stations. It has also generated a unique regional database on historic ship movements in the Baltic Sea.The network itself, and the resulting data, is overseen by the dedicated HELCOM Expert Working Group on AIS and data, meeting annually since 2002. The network server is, since this year, hosted by Norway.AIS data from this regional network is increasingly used for various purposes extending far beyond operational safety of navigation, including analysing emissions from ships and enabling accidental spill risk assessments in the Baltic Sea.However, the wider HELCOM community, especially research, has only recently been able to use this valuable information in full, due to the lack of joint and openly available data processing methods, tools and definitions. Examples of such products include traffic density maps which can be used for various purposes from Maritime Spatial Planning, safety and environmental policy. The same issues are facing AIS data users around the world.The seminar debated different approaches and uses of AIS data in order to support the development of the needed joint and open data processing methods, tools and definitions for the HELCOM community and beyond.* * Note for editorsHELCOM AIS Working Group is a sub-group of the HELCOM Maritime Working Group. It governs the regional AIS network and meets annually since 2002.HELCOM is an intergovernmental organization made up of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Founded in 1974, its primary aims as the governing body of the Helsinki Convention are to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution. This includes pollution from ships and safe maritime navigation, fields where the work involves regional dimensions of IMO regulations and initiatives. The full official name of HELCOM is the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission.* * *For more information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and FishHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi ​

The current and future uses of the regional HELCOM AIS data were discussed in a dedicated open seminar this week at the HELCOM Secretariat.

The Sixth Meeting of HELCOM
Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from the Baltic Sea Catchment Area
(PRESSURE 6-2017) took place in St. Petersburg, Russia 25-27 April. The key theme of the
meeting was the reduction of nutrient’s input into the Baltic Sea. The first results of a
HELCOM project compiling information on nutrient load on the Baltic Sea were
presented to the group. The results, based on data reported by all HELCOM
countries, indicate further reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus input in
2012-2014.Provisional figures show
that the nitrogen input was reduced by about 13% and phosphorus almost by 19%
since the reference period 1997-2003 (based on a 3 year average, 2012-2014)
while the reduction in the period 2010-2012 was 9.4% and 13,6% respectively. The final results are
expected in the end of June 2017. A ranking of the sources of nutrients, the
assessment of effectiveness of the undertaken measures and the evaluation of
progress achieved by individual countries towards the implementation of
national reduction targets will be presented at the
PRESSURE group meeting in October 2017.Another hot topic of the
meeting was the follow up of the situation around the HELCOM hot spot toxic
landfill Krasnyi Bor near St. Petersburg. Russia presented a concept for the
remediation of the site implying the conservation of the site in a period of
about 7 years. The international experts welcomed Russia’s initiative to establish
a public information center to communicate all relevant issues with public
society, current activities coordinated by NEFCO on validation of waste water
treatment system on the landfill and launching of cooperation with on the verification of the monitoring programme.Among other HELCOM priorities the group discussed the progress in
implementing the regional action plan on marine litter and the progress in
elaborating HELCOM guidelines for establishing environmental targets for
underwater noise. The participants also agreed on the working plan of the
HELCOM group on pharmaceutical residues in the environment. HELCOM countries also pointed out that exploitation of mineral resources
on the sea floor might have a significant potential environmental effect which
is scarcely known and requires urgent action to compile relevant information.Note for editorsHELCOM is an intergovernmental organization made up of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Founded in 1974, its primary aims as a governing body are to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, as well as to ensure safe maritime navigation. The official name of HELCOM is the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission; it is the governing body of the Helsinki Convention.The Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from the Baltic Sea Catchment Area – – focuses on nutrient and hazardous substance inputs from diffuse sources and point sources on land, including the follow-up of the implementation of the HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme. The group ensures the necessary technical underpinning as well as develops solutions to the policy-relevant questions and needs. Marine litter and underwater noise are also coordinated by this group.For more information, please contact:Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi

The Sixth Meeting of HELCOM Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from the Baltic Sea Catchment Area (PRESSURE 6-2017) took place in St. Petersburg, Russia 25-27 April.

Eutrophication is a major
threat to the Baltic Sea. High release of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and
phosphorus, to the Baltic Sea over the decades has resulted in the occasional growing
of vast mass of toxic algae causing e.g. increased turbidity, oxygen depletion
and changes in species composition. The reduction of the input of nutrients is
one of the key tasks of the HELCOM Baltic Sea action plan.The Sixth Meeting of HELCOM
Working Group on Reduction of Pressures from the Baltic Sea Catchment Area
(PRESSURE 6-2017) will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia 25-17 April. The
Meeting will mainly focus on the follow up of the implementation of the HELCOM nutrient input reduction
scheme which is an essential part of the Baltic Sea Action Plan. The assessment
of the progress towards the targets covers the assessment of maximum allowable
inputs, the implementation of country-wise allocated reduction targets, the identification
of major sources of nutrients and the effectiveness of applied measures. The meeting
will also address matters related to marine litter, underwater noise, hazardous
substances and physical damage to the seafloor. PRESSURE working group will
also follow up the current development of the HELCOM hot spot toxic waste
landfill Krasnyi Bor in Russia.Note for editorsHELCOM is an intergovernmental organization made up of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Founded in 1974, its primary aims as a governing body are to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, as well as to ensure safe maritime navigation. The official name of HELCOM is the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission; it is the governing body of the Helsinki Convention.

The Working
Group on Reduction of Pressures from the Baltic Sea Catchment Area – – focuses on
nutrient and hazardous substance inputs from diffuse sources and point sources
on land, including the follow-up of the implementation of the HELCOM nutrient
reduction scheme. The group ensures the necessary technical underpinning as
well as develops solutions to the policy-relevant questions and needs. Marine
litter and underwater noise are also coordinated by this group.For more information, please contact:Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi

Eutrophication is a major threat to the Baltic Sea.

The HELCOM Maritime Working Group has been awarded the Baltic Sea Fund Prize 2017 for its work to reduce pollution from maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea. According to the Baltic Sea Fund the HELCOM Working Group has through persistent long-term work successfully acted as a catalyst to bring about international agreements for the benefit of the Baltic Sea environment.The Baltic Sea Fund (Östersjöfonden) based in Mariehamn, Åland, has awarded the Baltic Sea Fund Prize to individuals and organizations for significant and outstanding contribution to the Baltic Sea environment since 1990.The HELCOM Maritime Working Group established in 1975 is an advisory body of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) which consists of representatives of coastal countries, EU as well as observer organisations (industry and environmental NGOs).The latest achievements of the Group, highlighted by the award, include and the . Both these major developments were decided by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2016 based on proposals developed within the Group.In full the Baltic Sea Fund delegation justifies the Baltic Sea Fund Prize 2017 award as follows:“HELCOM Maritime Working Group is rewarded with 20,000 euros for its work to reduce emissions from shipping in the Baltic Sea. The prohibition to release sewage from ships in international waters and the implementation of the Baltic Sea as a special area in the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx Emission Control Area, NECA) to reduce the nitrogen load to the Baltic Sea noticeably, belong to the group’s success in recent years.HELCOM Maritime Working Group has worked as a driver and developed the basis for decisions made in the International Maritime Organization (IMO).As shipping is international in its character, international cooperation is required to bring about regulation.HELCOM Maritime Working Group has, through long-term and persistent work successfully acted as a catalyst to bring about international agreements for the benefit of the Baltic Sea environment.”HELCOM on the establishment of Baltic Sea NECA (28.10.2016)HELCOM e on the establishment of Baltic Sea special area for sewage from passenger ships (22.4.2016) More information on the Baltic Sea Fund Prize 2017 can be found on the webpage of the * * *Note for editorsHELCOM is an intergovernmental organization made up of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Founded in 1974, its primary aims as a governing body are to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, as well as to ensure safe maritime navigation. The official name of HELCOM is the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission; it is the governing body of the Helsinki Convention.HELCOM Maritime Working Group of HELCOM identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and finds ways for safer navigation. Established in 1975, the group also deals with the harmonized implementation and enforcement of international shipping regulations.The Maritime group has a number of advisory expert bodies including the HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management (regional dimensions of implementing the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention), Expert group on safety of navigation, Working group for mutual exchange and deliveries of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, Green technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for Shipping, and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (PRF).The Åland Foundation for the Future of the Baltic Sea, also known as The Baltic Sea Fund, was founded in 1989 through a private donation of half a million euro. The initiator and donator was Councillor of Commerce Anders Wiklöf. See www.ostersjofonden.org > In English* * *For more information, please contact:Anna PeterssonChair of HELCOM Maritime groupHead of Environment SectionSwedish Transport AgencyTel: +46 10 4953 249E-mail: anna.petersson(at)transportstyrelsen.seHermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Fish groupsHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi​

The HELCOM Maritime Working Group has been awarded the Baltic Sea Fund Prize 2017 for its work to reduce pollution from maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea.

HELCOM Agri group initiated development of a regional strategy on nutrient recycling. “Nutrient recycling is essential to reduce nutrient losses to the Baltic Sea and to efficiently use limited phosphorus resources” says Tarja Haaranen, the Chair of HELCOM Agri group. As a first step, a HELCOM Workshop on nutrient recycling in the Baltic Sea countries was organized on 27-28 March in Berlin, Germany. The workshop gathered more than 40 experts from all Baltic Sea countries to discuss national strategies and programmes to recycle phosphorus in agriculture and waste water management. The Workshop aimed at creating suggestions for HELCOM to promote nutrient recycling and fully utilize valuable components of manure and sewage sludge.Nutrient recycling was also in the focus of the 4th Meeting of the HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices organized on 3-4 April in Brussels, Belgium. Smart nutrient management in agriculture is a priority for the Agri group. The group particularly aims at advancing manure standards as a basis for effective nutrient accounting on farm level. This enables balanced fertilization as manure is considered not as a waste but as a nutrient resource.The HELCOM Agri group focused on nutrient recycling in their 4th meeting held on 3 -4 April in Brussels.The group continued its work on agricultural measures to reduce nutrient losses to the Baltic Sea which is a joint effort of several HELCOM groups, especially the HELCOM Pressure group focused on land based sources of pollution. The group considered the potential of innovative water management and the prevention of soil erosion to reduce losses of nutrients from agricultural fields to the sea as well as the best available techniques to mitigate ammonia emissions from agricultural production. See the Outcome of Agri 4-2017.See the Outcome of the HELCOM Workshop on nutrient recycling in the Baltic Sea region.Note for editorsHELCOM is one of the Regional Sea Conventions and Action Plans around the world, working for healthy oceans and sustainable us of marine resources. HELCOM consists of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. The HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices (Agri) deals with agriculture in relation to the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach and involves representatives from agriculture and environment authorities of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as EU and HELCOM Observers. The group provides a platform for agri-environmental policy measures and instruments and joint discussion on the Baltic agriculture in the context of the protection of the marine environment, in order to address nutrient inputs and emissions from agriculture.***For more information, please contact:Tarja HaaranenChair of HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural PracticesMinistry of the Environment of FinlandTel:  +358 295 250 282Email: tarja.haaranen(at)ym.fi Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi​

HELCOM Agri group initiated development of a regional strategy on nutrient recycling.

The newly released report Measuring progress for the same
targets in the Baltic Sea shows that HELCOM work already contributes to reaching
the ocean-related UN Sustainable Development Goals. The report marks the
ten-year anniversary of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan. >The sustainable development goals were adopted by the UN
General Assembly in September 2015 as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development. The Agenda contains 17 sustainable development goals (SDG) and 169
targets.The report is an overview of HELCOM activities in relation
to the Sustainable Development Goal 14 and how these activities contribute to
the other SDG goals. HELCOM activities address in particular different kinds of
pollution such as nutrients, hazardous substances and marine litter. Other
topics covered in the report are e.g. biodiversity, underwater noise and
maritime spatial planning.Among HELCOMs accomplishments to achieve a healthy marine
environment are setting up a nutrient reduction scheme, curbing airborne
emission and discharges from shipping, tackling some hazardous substances,
piloting ecosystem approach in maritime spatial planning and covering nearly
12% of the Baltic Sea with marine protected areas. HELCOM will continue its efforts to meet the ocean-related
targets of Agenda 2030 in the Baltic Sea. In doing so, HELCOM will cooperate
with stakeholders, other Regional Seas Conventions and UN Environment. Member
countries bear the main responsibility for implementing actions, but they do
not have to work alone. Regional HELCOM cooperation, also involving a wide
range of stakeholders, advances the application of the ecosystem approach in
real life and ensures that all are working towards the same goals.The SDG targets will have associated indicators. HELCOM has
developed regional indicators, some of which are directly related to the
proposed SDG indicators and can be used as such in reporting progress towards
the implementation of the SDGs. The established Baltic Sea indicators and
follow-up systems will serve the regional follow-up of the status of SDG
implementation.  Download the report HELCOM and Sustainable Development Goals
– Measuring progress for the same targets in the Baltic Sea .Note for editorsHELCOM is one of the Regional Sea Conventions and Action Plans around the world, working for healthy oceans and sustainable us of marine resources. HELCOM consists of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention***For more information, please contact:Monika StankiewiczExecutive SecretaryHELCOM+358 40 840 2471Email: monika.stankiewicz(at)helcom.fiSkype: helcom17

The newly released report Measuring progress for the same targets in the Baltic Sea shows that HELCOM work already contributes to reaching the ocean-related UN Sustainable Development Goals.

​HELCOM members are promoting further regional
development of economic and social analyses (ESA) to show the linkages between
society and the marine environment, with focus on how the Baltic Sea
contributes to human well-being and national economies. These analyses provide
tools for examining the economic impacts from the use of marine waters, and the
benefits of achieving a healthy marine ecosystem. HELCOM has established an expert network on economic
and social analyses, which will enhance regional cooperation on the economic
and social aspects of the Baltic Sea marine environment. The expert network
serves as a platform for discussion and information exchange on the ongoing and
planned work and develops and agrees on regional approaches for the economic
and social analyses, according to a HELCOM Roadmap on economic and social
analyses. The analyses are needed for the implementation of the Baltic Sea
Action Plan, as well as Marine Strategy Framework Directive for the EU
countries in the region. Overall, the analyses will contribute to
ecosystem-based marine management, marine spatial planning, pollution
mitigation, and integration and implementation of various policies.Results
on the economic contribution from marine activities in the Baltic Sea and on the
economic damages to citizens from the deterioration of the marine environment
will be included in HELCOM’s ‘State of the Baltic Sea’ report, to be published
in June 2017.  HELCOM and the BONUS BALTICAPP research project are
organizing a in Stockholm 29-30 March, with economic and social
analyses of the marine environment as one of the main themes. The workshop will
present latest results on the contribution from the use of marine waters to the
economy, the losses in citizens’ well-being from the deterioration of the
marine environment, and marine ecosystem services, such as recreation. The
workshop will discuss challenges, gaps of knowledge and solutions in providing
science-based information based for the implementation of marine policies.Further information on the work on economic and social
analyses can be found on the .More information about the BONUS BALTICAPP project can
be found on the .***Note for editors
HELCOM is one of the Regional Sea Conventions and
Action Plans around the world, working for healthy oceans and sustainable us of
marine resources. HELCOM consists of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and
the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea
from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region.
Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the
Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly
known as the Helsinki Convention. The BONUS BALTICAPP project (Wellbeing from the Baltic
Sea – applications combining natural science and economics) uses state-of-the-art
modelling tools and data to identify strategies to safeguard ecosystem services
provided by the Baltic Sea.***For more information, please contact:Heini Ahtiainen
Project Researcher
HELCOM
Tel. +358
40 621 3612
Skype: heini_ahtiainen
Email: Heini.Ahtiainen(at)helcom.fi

HELCOM members are promoting further regional development of economic and social analyses (ESA) to show the linkages between society and the marine environment, with focus on how the Baltic Sea contributes to human well-being and national economies.

​Regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea towards reaching the UN sustainable development goals was the key theme in the annual international environmental forum, the Baltic Sea Day, held 22-23 March 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The forum gathered about 650 participants from all countries around the Baltic Sea as well as from the Belarus, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway. The Forum was of specific significance as 2017 has been declared The Year of the Environment in Russia. The coordination of global, regional and local environmental strategies between representatives of HELCOM, the European Union, national governmental authorities and municipalities was a key point of the discussion. Participants also discussed the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and other HELCOM agreements in the light of the upcoming HELCOM Ministerial meeting scheduled in 2018 under the EU Chairmanship in HELCOM.The participants also discussed means to strengthen cooperation between countries and engagement of municipalities to solve environmental challenges in the region. Russian and international experts considered environmental aspects of the realization of large infrastructural projects and cost efficient solutions for reclamation of the HELCOM hot spots such as Krasnyi Bor toxic waste landfill near St.Petersburg. The global problem of littering marine environment was one of the top themes for the discussion. Participants overviewed the results of the implementation of the HELCOM Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter and outlined practical steps forward including specific actions also the Russian partners could undertake to address, specifically, land based sources of litter.The impact of human activities on the sea floor integrity, such as dredging or depositing operation, exploitation of mineral resources and coastal protection, was also a hot topic for the discussion. Experts pointed out the importance of collecting reliable and comprehensive data on these activities, their impact on the marine ecosystem and the potential of the ecosystem to subsequently recover from them.The issues related to prevention of marine environment pollution from land based sources such as management of river basins and the reduction of environmental pressure from agriculture were also discussed. The Baltic Sea Day, organised for the 18th time this year, is an esteemed platform for environmental dialogue and a live meeting point for national, regional as well as global participants representing a wide range of sectors.  It was organised by the city of St.Petersburg and State Company Mineral. * * * Note for editorsWorking to safeguard the marine environment from pollution and ensure safe navigation in the Baltic Sea, acts as the governing body of the 1974 Helsinki Convention. HELCOM’s official name is the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. * * * For more information, please contact:Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky>Professional Secretary>HELCOM>Tel: +358 40 630 9933>Skype: helcom68>E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi

Regional cooperation in the Baltic Sea towards reaching the UN sustainable development goals was the key theme in the annual international environmental forum, the Baltic Sea Day, held 22-23 March 2017 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Five out of nine Baltic Sea countries have plans in place for wildlife polluted from marine spillsAccording to a new released today, five Baltic Sea countries have established plans for handling polluted wildlife during marine pollution incidents, mostly created via active partnerships between authorities and NGOs. Other coastal countries are still identifying proper approaches and developing resources.Different approaches to wildlife response have been selected by those Baltic Sea coastal countries which have procedures in place. Some countries have chosen cleaning and rehabilitation of polluted wildlife as the default approach, others apply euthanasia unless species with conservation interest are involved.Images of oiled wildlife are among the strongest symbols of accidental spills. However, nationally coordinated strategies on how to deal with wildlife affected by spills is a surprisingly recent phenomenon and still relatively rare worldwide.Photo: Antti Haavisto/WWFIn the Baltic Sea, explicit regional cooperation on oiled wildlife response appeared first with the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan of 2007. The first dedicated regional legal instrument on oiled wildlife response cooperation in the Baltic Sea was on integrated wildlife response planning, adopted in 2010.Based on the HELCOM Recommendation 31E/6 and 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration, the Baltic Sea coastal countries are to develop a wildlife response plan, integrated into oil pollution contingency plans, either on a national or sub-national/local level by 2016, and to apply the commonly agreed guidelines on its contents including e.g. aims, minimum standards and involvement of volunteers.A dedicated HELCOM
Expert Working Group on Oiled Wildlife Response (EWG OWR) was set up in 2014 to support the implementation of these goals.”HELCOM is currently the only Regional Agreement in the world that has set genuine aims for the integration of oiled wildlife preparedness and response in national and regional emergency response systems” says Hugo Nijkamp, chair of the HELCOM EWG-OWR. “Still there is work to do in order to meet the set targets in this field of oil spill response, but as a result of progress made so far, some countries are definitely better prepared and there are lots of interesting lessons learned.” Download the Report on the status of national wildlife response plans in the Baltic Sea .***Note for editors works to ensure swift national and international responses to maritime pollution incidents, including in case of accident the availability of appropriate equipment and the joint practice of response procedures in cooperation with neighbouring states. The group also coordinates the released into the Baltic Sea and help identify suspected polluters. The meetings of the HELCOM RESPONSE Group have been held regularly among all Baltic Sea countries and EU for over thirty years. The Response group includes Expert Working Group on Oiled Wildlife Response (EWG OWR), HELCOM Expert Coordination Network on Response on the Shore (SHORE network), Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance (IWGAS) and HELCOM Expert Group on Environmental Risks of Hazardous Submerged Objects (SUBMERGED).The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as HELCOM, is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention.***For more information, please contact:Hugo NijkampChair, HELCOM EWG OWRTel. +32494900012Email: nijkamp(at)sea-alarm.orgSusanna KaasinenHELCOM Secretariat (report editor)Tel. +358 40 536 5819Email: susanna.kaasinen(at)helcom.fiHermanni BackerProfessional SecretaryHELCOM ResponseTel. +358468509199Email: Hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi​

According to a new HELCOM report released today, five Baltic Sea countries have established plans for handling polluted wildlife during marine pollution incidents, mostly created via active partnerships between authorities and NGOs.