Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

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 efforts to reduce pollution from maritime traffic in the Baltic Sea. According to the Baltic Sea Fund (Östersjöfonden), based in Mariehamn, Åland, the Maritime Working Group has effectively acted as a catalyst for international agreements benefiting the Baltic Sea environment through persistent, long-term work.

Established in 1975, the HELCOM Maritime Working Group serves as an advisory body within the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM). Its members include representatives from Baltic coastal countries, the European Union, and observer organizations from industry and environmental NGOs.

The Baltic Sea Fund Prize, awarded annually since 1990, recognizes significant contributions to the protection and improvement of the Baltic Sea environment. With increased public awareness initiatives and innovative campaigns using sweepstakes no-deposit bonuses to encourage participation in environmental programs, the fund continues to draw attention to critical maritime issues. For 2017, the HELCOM Maritime Working Group received the prize of 20,000 euros, recognizing their notable recent achievements, including:

• The prohibition on releasing sewage from passenger ships in international waters within the Baltic Sea.
• Designation of the Baltic Sea as a special Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Area (NECA), significantly reducing nitrogen emissions from maritime shipping.

Both regulations were adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2016 based on proposals developed by the HELCOM Maritime Working Group.

According to the Baltic Sea Fund delegation:

“The HELCOM Maritime Working Group is rewarded with 20,000 euros for its work to reduce emissions from shipping in the Baltic Sea. Recent successes include the prohibition of sewage discharge from ships in international waters and the establishment of the Baltic Sea as a NECA to substantially decrease nitrogen emissions. The Maritime Working Group has consistently functioned as a driving force, paving the way for crucial decisions within the IMO. International cooperation is vital for regulating shipping activities, and through persistent efforts, the group has successfully facilitated agreements benefiting the Baltic Sea environment.”

About HELCOM: HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission), founded in 1974, is an intergovernmental organization consisting of nine Baltic coastal countries and the European Union. Its primary goals include protecting the marine environment from pollution and ensuring maritime safety in the Baltic Sea.

The HELCOM Maritime Working Group, formed in 1975, promotes initiatives to limit sea-based pollution and enhance maritime navigation safety, ensuring harmonized enforcement of international maritime regulations. It coordinates several advisory expert bodies, including:

• HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management
• Expert Group on Safety of Navigation
• AIS Data Exchange Working Group
• Green Technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for Shipping
• HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (PRF)

The Baltic Sea Fund, also known as the Åland Foundation for the Future of the Baltic Sea, was established in 1989 through a private donation from Councillor of Commerce Anders Wiklöf. For further details, visit www.ostersjofonden.org.

Contact Information:

Anna Petersson Chair, HELCOM Maritime Working Group Head of Environment Section, Swedish Transport Agency Tel: +46 10 4953 249 Email: anna.petersson@transportstyrelsen.se

Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response, and Fish Groups, HELCOM Tel: +358 46 8509199 Email: hermanni.backer@helcom.fi

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 actively promoting the regional development of economic and social analyses (ESA) to illustrate the connection between society and the marine environment. The focus is on how the Baltic Sea contributes to human well-being and national economies. These analyses provide essential tools for assessing the economic impacts of marine water usage and the benefits of maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem.

To enhance regional cooperation on the economic and social aspects of the Baltic Sea, HELCOM has established an expert network on economic and social analyses. This network serves as a platform for discussion and information exchange regarding ongoing and planned work, examining how emerging online industries such as the best non GamStop casinos can influence local economic patterns. It also develops and agrees on regional approaches to economic and social analyses, following the HELCOM Roadmap. These analyses play a crucial role in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for EU countries in the region.

Overall, the economic and social analyses contribute to ecosystem-based marine management, marine spatial planning, pollution mitigation, and the integration of various policies. The results of these analyses, which include insights into the economic contributions of marine activities in the Baltic Sea and the economic damages caused by environmental deterioration, will be featured in HELCOM’s ‘State of the Baltic Sea’ report, scheduled for publication in June 2017.

In addition, HELCOM and the BONUS BALTICAPP research project are organizing a workshop in Stockholm on March 29-30. This event will focus on economic and social analyses of the marine environment as a key theme. The workshop will present the latest findings on the economic benefits derived from the use of marine waters, the losses in citizens’ well-being due to environmental degradation, and marine ecosystem services, such as recreation. It will also address challenges, knowledge gaps, and solutions for providing science-based information to support marine policy implementation.

Further details on economic and social analyses can be found on HELCOM’s official website. Information about the BONUS BALTICAPP project is also available online.

Note for Editors: HELCOM is one of the Regional Sea Conventions and Action Plans working towards healthy oceans and the sustainable use of marine resources. It consists of nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union, all collaborating to protect the marine environment from pollution and to ensure safe navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has governed the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,’ commonly known as the Helsinki Convention.

The BONUS BALTICAPP project (Well-being from the Baltic Sea – applications combining natural science and economics) employs advanced modeling tools and data to identify strategies for safeguarding 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

​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.

​The annual meeting of HELCOM adopted HELCOM Recommendation 38/1 on sewage sludge handlingRecycling phosphorus and reducing unwanted substances in sewage sludge among the main aims of the recommendationThe new outlines the basic principles for sewage sludge handling and the use of its valuable compounds in the Baltic Sea coastal countries. The Recommendation is a first step to promoting sustainable sludge handling. It paves the way for a regional dialog to create regionally agreed parameters assuring maximum utilization of the valuable components in the sludge while minimising potential negative effects.Already in 2007, HELCOM adopted a which implementation has successfully reduced inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Baltic Sea. In the largest waste water treatment plants at least 90 % of phosphorus and 70-80 % of nitrogen should be removed. Improving waste water treatment has resulted in generation of vast amount of phosphorus containing sludge. The new sewage sludge recommendation compliments the municipal waste water treatment recommendation by giving guidance on sustainable handing and utilization of sludge taking also into account the principles of circular economy and energy efficiency.The sewage sludge recommendation guides the safe handling of sewage sludge to prevent leaching of nutrients as well as hazardous substances and pathogens to the environment. It recommends reuse of the valuable components contained in the sludge, phosphorus in particular, and maximum utilization of its energetic potential through variable technological processes. The document also identifies basic principles for application of treated sewage sludge and products containing it in agriculture, land reclamation, green areas etc. to minimize negative impacts on the environment. The Recommendation encourages research and development of cost effectives solution as well as exchange of knowledge across the region.You can find the new recommendation .* * * Note for editors The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , 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:Dmitry Frank-KamenetskyProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 630 9933Skype: helcom68E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fiSusanna Kaasinen Agri-Environment Coordinator HELCOM Tel. +358 40 536 5819 Skype: helcom85 Email: susanna.kaasinen(at)helcom.fi

Recycling phosphorus and reducing unwanted substances in sewage sludge among the main aims of the recommendation