Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

​​​​​​HELCOM showcased yesterday the work on a regional status on pharmaceuticals at the global in Stockholm, Sweden. The report, scheduled for release in February 2016, will provide a comprehensive background for a regional strategy to mitigate pharmaceuticals’ possible harmful effect in the Baltic Sea.  The forthcoming assessment was the only chosen European case study in the UNESCO session, Emerging pollutants in water and wastewater, in Stockholm on Sunday.There are global cases where high concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the environment lead to disastrous consequences for the population of the exposed species. Photo: Bill Lyons/FlickrThe work will be conducted by HELCOM with active participation of Swedish Environmental Protection Agency   as the coordinator of Policy Area of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR).  The report will be based on information compiled at national and regional level. The aim is to integrate information on production and consumption of pharmaceuticals in the region, their pathways to the Baltic Sea environment, and concentrations in all the compartments of the environment and effects on marine life. The report will also identify knowledge gaps and possible measures to fill such gaps. Pharmaceutical residues in the Baltic Sea are causing concern as the full impact for the marine environment is still unknown. Research shows that not all chemical compounds from medicines are dissolved by the treatment in the waste water plant.  Moreover, pharmaceuticals used in veterinary enter the soil – and consequently groundwater – via manure. Updates on the work on the report will be posted in dedicated HELCOM . * * *Note for editorsThe 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.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

The report, showcased yesterday in Stockholm World Water Week, will be a comprehensive background for a regional strategy to mitigate pharmaceuticals’ possible harmful effect. Release expected in February 2016.

​​​The total number of surveillance flight hours in the Baltic Sea dropped again in 2014 according to the annual HELCOM on aerial surveillance. Compared to the average total number of flight hours in 2000–2013, the decrease is 20%. There is a risk that the declined amount of time in the air of surveillance planes impairs the reliability of information on detected spills from ships in the Baltic, compiled by HELCOM since 1988. The number of mineral oil spills in 2014 was the lowest ever recorded in the Baltic Sea at 117 spills, indicating a continuous decreasing trend in oil spills. The focus of the recent report is on detected illegal spills of mineral oil, as HELCOM helps to monitor any violations on the existing regulations on prevention of pollution from ships. However, for the first time in 2014, the HELCOM Member States also reported spills of other detected substances as included in the report. Oil but also many other substances released from ships are a potential threat to the marine environment he size of the spills has also decreased in the past 15 years. In 2014, out of all the 117 mineral oil discharges detected in 2014, 109 (93 %) were smaller than 1 m3, and of these oil spills as many as 94 were even smaller than 0.1 m3 (100 litres). ­See chart below. n a vast majority of cases of detected discharges, in 2014 and in previous years, polluters remain unknown. ELCOM has collected comprehensive information since 1988 from all the Baltic coastal countries on aerial surveillance to detect spills of oil and other harmful substances Further information on the detections can be found in the fresh report, for instance, about the location, type, size, annual changes in the Pollution per Flight Hour (PF) Index as well as satellite detections. All data on the individual observed spills can be viewed and downloaded in the HELCOM .  .* * * Note for editorsCo-operation on was established in the 1980s within the HELCOM framework, requiring the Member States to conduct regular surveillance outside their coastlines. This includes developing and applying, individually or in co-operation, surveillance activities covering the Baltic Sea area. The aerial surveillance is complemented by satellite surveillance to enable bigger area coverage and optimisation of flights effectiveness.    The purpose of aerial surveillance is to detect spills of oil and other harmful substances which can threaten the marine environment. If possible, the identity of a polluter should be established and a spill sampled from both the sea surface and the suspected offender on board. Data on illegal discharges observed during national aerial surveillance activities of the coastal states in the Baltic Sea area are compiled by HELCOM every year. * * *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:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

The total number of surveillance flight hours dropped again in 2014. This may cause less realistic evaluations on the number of harmful spills, and detected polluters, in the Baltic Sea.

​Upon request, HELCOM contributes an update each year to the report of the United Nations Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea. The HELCOM from 30 June 2015 provides an overview of HELCOM activities in 2014-15, with the more specific angle to report on the implementation to the previous UN General Assembly Resolution dated on 29 December 2014. The next full report will be considered by the General Assembly in its 70th session in September 2015. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) has been an observer of HELCOM since 1980 and has expressed a wish to keep informed about HELCOM work. On the other hand, HELCOM and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have reciprocal observership and has collaborated for instance in issue related to marine litter, marine biodiversity, and actions to address land-based sources.> > > * * * 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.

HELCOM contribution from 30 June 2015 provides an overview of HELCOM activities in 2014-15, with the more specific angle to report on the implementation to the previous UN General Assembly Resolution dated on 29 December 2014.

Photo: CharlesHammarsten/The Royal Court, Sweden​​Her Royal Highness Crown Princess​ Victoria of Sweden opened the VI Annual Forum of EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) in Jurmala, Latvia, casting her greatest concern on the “deterioration of the water we share”. “It is my sincere wish that you all will use this opportunity to find constructive and innovative ways to move forward in our joint effort to make the Baltic Region prosper and to save our treasured Baltic Sea, the water that we share, the water that unites us”, she concluded, to a raving applaud. “Seven out of the ten largest marine dead zones in the world are to be found in the Baltic Sea. [–] The fish we love to eat are prevented from consuming due to the dioxins and PCB’s accumulated in it,” Her Royal Highness reminded the high-level participants of the Opening Session of the Forum. In the Forum, HELCOM was presenting its extensive data and map service in the Networking Village as well as showcasing latest digital tools for communication in the Parallel Workshop. The materials will be made available at the .Read the Crown Princess full speech .   * * *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:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

The engaging opening speech of Princess Victoria of Sweden at the VI Annual Forum of EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in Jurmala, Latvia.

​​​​​​​Aircraft from six countries from Baltic Sea (HELCOM) and North Sea (Bonn) areas carried out a joint international aerial surveillance operation, classified until finish, with the purpose of detecting illegal discharges at sea starting on 9 June and completing yesterday. Photo: HELCOMThe operation hosted by the Danish Defence Command resulted with only one observation of a minor discharge of vegetable oil and another spot of an unknown substance detected in the 62,000 sq km operation area over Skagerrak and Kattegat during 42 total flight hours.  The 2015 Super CEPCO – Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operation – was participated by Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway and Sweden. Such coordinated assignment is a regular biannual effort of the HELCOM member states, this time conducted jointly with the Bonn Agreement and with the Danish Defence Command Air Station Aalborg (EKYT) as a base. The purpose of the operation is to continuously survey the selected area where there is a high probability of illegal discharges, to identify, record, document and report the detected pollutions and polluters and to improve co-operation between participating HELCOM and Bonn​ Agreement Contracting Parties. High-intensity operations like CEPCO supplement the regular day-to-day aerial control operations in the region which aim at creating a realistic picture of the level of compliance to the anti-pollution regulations in the Baltic area.  Since the timing of the HELCOM CEPCOs is randomly selected, the operation is intense and strictly confidential until the entire operation is over, the results are assumed to reflect the realistic situation of discharges in the Baltic Sea. CEPCO operations have several objectives, such as to survey continuously high density traffic areas with a high risk of illegal discharges; identify and catch the polluters; practise communication between aircraft, patrol vessels and the Command Centres involved; improve cooperation between countries; and exchange experiences between crews. Crew members and support of Super Cepco 2015. Photo: Henning Jespersen-Skree * * *Note to Editors:HELCOM member states carry out several cross-border surveillance operations annually.  CEPCO flights (Mini CEPCO at least 12 hours; CEPCO at least 24 hours; Super CEPCO several days) contribute to the Baltic Sea marine protection according to HELCOM’s principles. The operation supports national aerial surveillance by detecting polluters who might not be otherwise identified. The intensity of CEPCOs enable a realistic estimation of the total number of oil spills over the Baltic Sea during a randomly selected time. In addition, helicopters and patrol vessels support the operation and EMSA CleanSeaNet oil spill detection service enable bigger area coverage and optimisation of flights effectiveness. The Informal working group on aerial surveillance ( ), as part of the HELCOM response cooperation is responsible for joint aerial surveillance as well as for co-ordination of the satellite based oil spill surveillance and evaluation of its results and operational effectiveness. * * *The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as the Helsinki Commission (), is an intergovernmental organisation 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. HELCOM is 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 is the mechanism by which nine governments of the Greater North Sea and its wider approaches, together with EU, cooperate in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances. The signatories to the Agreement are Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and the EU.  * * *For more information, please contact:Bent JørgensenRoyal Danish AirforceTel: +45 72 846507E-mail: atw-a5-017@mil.dk Lars ChristensenAdmiral Danish Fleet HQE-mail: pol.con.den@sok.dk Laura MeskiAssisting Professional SecretaryHELCOMTel:  +358 40 1622053E-mail: laura.meski@helcom.fi

Only minor spill detected in the 42-hour aerial non-stop operation, participated by aircraft from six countries from Baltic Sea (HELCOM) and North Sea (BONN) areas.

​​The delegates representing all Baltic coastal states as well as the EU are expected to agree on HELCOM Recommendation on sustainable aquaculture in the Baltic Sea region in a starting today in Tallinn, Estonia. The two-day meeting is also anticipated to endorse a list of concrete actions to tackle marine ; almost twenty new HELCOM core indicators; as well as speedier international permits for research vessels. Photo: Flickr/​Bayfield Library “The new HELCOM Recommendation on sustainable aquaculture will greatly assist the Baltic Sea region in developing this sector in healthy balance between economical profit and environmental protection. The Recommendation gives guidance for the best practices for minimizing and preventing negative environmental impact of aquaculture on Baltic marine ecosystems. Moreover, the jointly agreed document encourages the industry, predicted to grow in the region, to realize its great potential to develop and apply environmentally friendly technologies and production methods, both in marine and fresh water,” says HELCOM Chair, Harry Liiv. The Meeting is also awaited to give final approval for over thirty regional actions to mitigate littering of the Baltic Sea. The proposed actions are part of HELCOM Recommendation () which was already adopted in March. The lengthy list of actions with set deadlines focuses on reduction of littering of marine environment from the land-based sources which entail improvement of waste management and sewage water systems, remediation and removal of dumpsites and tackling top items such as microparticles, polystyrene foam, plastic bags, sanitary litter in sewage, and bottles and containers. The actions also cover sea-based sources, including developing best practices for handling waste from fisheries and ships, but also collection of abandoned fishing gears such as ghost nets. As according to research most of marine litter derives from households and consumer practices, a set of actions addressing education and outreach on marine litter is also included in the document. The comprehensive preparations for the core set of HELCOM indicators will likely be rewarded on Thursday, as the common definition of good environmental status of close to twenty of these fundamental tools await adoption by the HELCOM Heads of Delegation. Core indicators represent different biological and chemical features of the marine ecosystem and are an essential component of the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy, and as regularly updated, also providing the basis for HELCOM thematic and holistic assessments. Good environmental status is agreed for each indicator, thereby forming the basis to evaluate the status of the Baltic Sea and the achievement of HELCOM work to improve the environmental condition.  Less unnecessary delays for granting of permits for monitoring by scientific research vessels is among the Meeting topics, as a renewed HELCOM Recommendation is in the pipeline for adoption. The main aim of the Recommendation is to ensure granting permits in the territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone, fishing zones or continental shelves in neighboring countries related to the Baltic Monitoring Programme without delay. It also calls the countries to grant no shorter than 1-year permits. As a related positive outcome from a recently completed BALSAM project, a shared for information and coordination of offshore monitoring cruises has been established by HELCOM.Other meeting topics include HELCOM/OSPAR Joint Harmonized Procedure for ballast water exemptions, as proposed revisions are expecting endorsement; launching the work on underwater noise with the aim of a knowledge base on this growing concern; as well as a smoother online follow-up system for the country-wise nutrient reduction targets. . All document will be public after the meeting.  * * * Note for editorsThe Heads of Delegation () of HELCOM usually meet few times a year. While the Annual Meeting of HELCOM remains the Commission’s highest decision-making body, the Heads of Delegation have a relatively high authority over most major issues.  The working structure of HELCOM, supported and administered by the Secretariat, comprises of the Helsinki Commission, the Heads of Delegation, and eight main working groups, together with tens of expert groups, correspondence groups and projects. ​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:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The delegates representing all Baltic coastal states as well as EU are expected to adopt the Recommendation on aquaculture, actions on marine litter as well as core indicators.

​​​​​National marine pollution response authorities from the Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union wrapped up yesterday the annual of the HELCOM on preparedness and response (HELCOM Response).The Meeting was hosted by EU Directorate General ECHO in Brussels, Belgium, and chaired by Ms. Heli Haapasaari, Finland, Chair of HELCOM Response.”It is important that the Response group reviews the performance requirements based on the changing maritime traffic amount and ship sizes. It is also delightful to hear that many Contracting Parties are in the process to acquire new vessels and other response equipment to enhance the regional response capacity”, says the Chair of Response, Heli Haapasaari.HELCOM is actively promoting that its Member States establish bi- or multilateral agreements with their neighbours in order to provide stronger cooperation between the neighbouring countries. At the moment​, nine such local response agreements have been signed and ratified in the Baltic Sea area.The meeting divided the Baltic Sea into sub-regions for the purposes of response to pollution incidents. Such sub-divisions of the Baltic Sea will be used when defining marine pollution risks and for developing corresponding joint response capacity in areas with high risks of spills. The draft map of four Baltic response sub-regions will be further defined by the end of June and be the basis for definitions of minimum sub-regional response capacity during the coming year.The current Baltic set-up, based on HELCOM Recommendation (), builds on recommendations of a minimum national response capacity in each Baltic Sea coastal state taken alone. Currently the capacity is considered adequate if the capacity of responding to spills of 1,000-5,000 tons is in place within three days from the accident (Rec. ).The need to raise these target spill sizes has emerged with the increase in size of ships.Other topics on the agenda included exchange of Marine Pollution Report (POLREP) messages; revision of all three HELCOM Response manuals; drafting of response related indicators and well as follow up of Ministerial Meeting decisions. All the documents will be public after the Meeting.* * * 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. works to ensure swift national and international response to maritime pollution incidents and that in case of an accident the right equipment is available and routines are in place to respond immediately in cooperation with neighbouring states. The Group also coordinates the aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes to provide a complete picture of sea-based pollution around the Baltic, and to 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 European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), formerly known as the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, is the ‘s department for overseas and for . * * * For more information, please contact:Heli Haapasaari Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) Chair of HELCOM Response Group Tel: +358 40 1793050 E-mail: heli.haapasaari(at)environment.fiHermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi

Sub-divisions of the Baltic Sea will be used when defining marine pollution risks and for developing corresponding joint response capacity in high-risk areas for spills.

​​​​​​​​​​Photo: Helena RosenlewAdvancing nutrient management to the routine practices of agricultural production, including in manure fertilization, is a leading topic in the meeting of the HELCOM on Sustainable Agricultural Practices, continuing today in Braunschweig, Germany.  The overarching theme of nutrient recycling the Group is dealing with integrates the upgrading of national standards for nutrient content in manure and the promotion of nutrient accounting at farm level. Nitrogen and phosphorus are essential chemical elements required for agricultural crop production. However, oversupply of nutrients to the soil leads to losses to the aquatic environment and contributes to the eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, with all its negative effects on the marine biodiversity, economic prosperity and human well-being. On the other hand, nutrients are valuable resource in agriculture and improved farm nutrient management can lead to economic efficiency for farmers.  In the 2-day Meeting, the coastal countries will present their national systems of standards for nutrient content in manure and will consider jointly how those standards could be best modernized, particularly so that they are based on more accurate data. Currently, the values of nutrient content for different types of manure are often set based on old data or insufficient studies. However, some good practices exist in few Baltic Sea countries which could give a start to common methodologies to be recommended for setting norms for manure in the Baltic Sea region.  Thorough analysis of nutrients content in manure is a substantial part of nutrient accounting or, in other words, nutrient bookkeeping system. As a concept, nutrient bookkeeping consists of annual fertilization plans and calculation of nutrient balances. It is a tool for documenting the nutrient flows at the farms, in order to minimize the excessive use of nutrients and avoid financial losses for farmers while protecting the environment.  As concluded in the HELCOM nutrient bookkeeping in April, one of the most significant obstacles in applying nutrient accounting has been the absence of common system and insufficient skills. Therefore, introducing the nutrient bookkeeping to farmers is a relevant issue and a specific session on this topic will be conducted during the Meeting. The Meeting is held on 28-29 May 2015 and is hosted by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of Germany.  Mr. Dietrich Schulz from the German Federal Environment Agency will chair the meeting.  All documents will be public after the Meeting. * * *Note for editors:The HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices () 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. 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-Kamenetsky Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi ​​

Advancing nutrient management to the routine practices of agricultural production, including in manure fertilization, is a leading topic in the meeting of the HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices.

​​​​Despite a general decreasing trend of concentrations of radionuc​lides, the Baltic Sea still is one of the most polluted sea areas as regards radioactive contamination. Radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea have been systematically monitored since the year 1984, and the credit mainly goes to the HELCOM MORS Expert finishing its 30th today in Oulu, Finland.>> >The several annual samples on radioactivity are a responsibility of all the coastal countries, analysed and reported to the Expert Group through three decades. Up to this date, the openly accessible environmental contains over 3,600 biota samples, over 8,000 seawater samples and 11,000 sediment samples analysed for various radionuclides. The reports on aquatic and airborne discharges of radionuclides from nuclear power plants and reprocessing plants cover discharge data starting from the year 1952, also online.In the Meeting, the Expert Group on Monitoring of Radioactive Substances in the Baltic Sea (MORS EG) discussed the next thematic assessment of long-term changes in Baltic Sea radioactivity 2011–2015, with delivery now scheduled at the end of 2016 as this will match the purposes of the holistic Baltic-wide assessment in 2018.  Further, the meeting made final check-ups for the HELCOM core indicator “Radioactive substances: Caesium-137 in fish and surface waters”, before final adoption in June. Moreover, the group reviewed the latest scientific reports provided by the HELCOM member states and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as updated as necessary the shared Guidelines for monitoring of radioactive substances [link]. Radioactive substances occur naturally in the environment, but also due to nuclear weapon tests in 1950–80, Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986, as well as routine operations of nuclear power plants and research reactors. The latest HELCOM thematic of long-term changes in radioactivity in the Baltic Sea was released in 2013. The region’s first joint efforts concerning radioactivity started in early 1980s by a project under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while MORS Expert Group had its first meeting just before the Chernobyl accident – in 1986. . All documents will be public soon after the Meeting. * * *Note for editorsThe 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:Tarja K. IkäheimonenChair of HELCOM MORS Expert GroupEnvironmental Radiation Surveillance and Emergency PreparednessSTUK – Radiation and Nuclear Safety AuthorityTel. +358 400 811 254E-mail: Tarja.Ikaheimonen(at)stuk.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

Despite a general decreasing trend of concentrations of radionuclides, the Baltic Sea still is one of the most polluted sea areas as regards radioactive contamination.

​​​​​​​​​​​Experts on the maritime Automatic Identification System () technology from Baltic coastal countries and Norway met today and yesterday to consider the mutual exchange and deliveries of AIS signals and resulting data. The 26th meeting of the group was chaired by Omar Eriksson from Denmark and hosted by the Maritime Office in Gdynia, Poland. The HELCOM AIS system provides almost real time information on the position and characteristics of all the larger ships in the entire Baltic Sea area which is freely shared among all coastal countries and Norway. The data exchange celebrates its ten-year anniversary this year as the system has been on-line since the summer of 2005. The statistics are available at HELCOM . The historic data is stored and available for further study by national authorities, researchers and other interested users. AIS enables for example monitoring of the environmental risks of maritime traffic, including historic trends of shipping. The decision to create a regional AIS network was taken at the HELCOM Meeting of Ministers of Transport of the Baltic Sea region in September 2001. The underlying reasons were the IMO decision to make the technology mandatory, as well as early work on ship reporting in the region during 1970s and 1980s. Access to the regional HELCOM AIS data generated by the system is currently available to a wide range of actors either automatically, or, in some cases, after an explicit consultation. The recent surge of maritime developments in the form of wind-power farms, pipelines and cables have increased the interest in this information. AIS information has during the last ten years highlighted the need for new high priority areas for bathymetric re-surveys, new charts – especially Electronic Navigational Charts – as well as other safety of navigation measures such as IMO routeing.  AIS technology as a whole continues to develop and the information is the backbone of many modern navigation applications.* * *To access data products about shipping traffic in the Baltic Sea, please enter HELCOM thematic Maritime & Response , under Maritime & Response -> Maritime traffic statistics. The folder includes e.g. Baltic-wide HELCOM AIS average shipping density raster map and AIS passage line crossing statistics from 2006 onwards​. >> All documents will be public soon.* * *Note for editors – Since 2005, the Baltic region has had a system in place for gathering signals from all the Automatic Identification System (AIS) devices on ships – the HELCOM AIS network. This network provides real-time surveillance and statistics of the movement of ships, and is administered by the HELCOM AIS Working Group, meeting annually since 2002. E-navigation uses such information to create a second generation of electronic services for enhanced safety and environmental performance. 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:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning​HELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The HELCOM AIS system, online since 2005, provides almost real time information on the position and characteristics of all the larger ships in the entire Baltic Sea.