Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

​​​​​​The summary on key results of a large project on coordinated environmental monitoring in the Baltic Sea has recently been released, available both in print and online. Baltic Sea pilot project , running from October 2013 until May 2015, has focused on improving the coordination of environmental monitoring in several areas. Many of its results have already been immersed with the long-lasting regular monitoring activities of HELCOM. Environmental monitoring has a
major scientific role by revealing long-term
trends that can lead to new knowledge and
understanding​. Photo: Metsähallitus NHS.The BALSAM project, co-funded by EU, collected information on the current monitoring programmes and activities in the Baltic, which were included into the extensive HELCOM Monitoring , published in October 2014. With its 18 from eight coastal countries surrounding the Baltic Sea, the project also studied and made guidelines on how coordinated monitoring could be enhanced for , and non-indigenous in the future. The project also investigated how could be used in a more harmonized and cost-effective way, e.g. through online information exchange on such vessels and their planned cruises. Moreover, BALSAM activities were tightly linked to the work of HELCOM and its working groups, in order to ensure that the results are policy-relevant and in line with the needs identified by HELCOM countries. This has been seen as one of the strengths of the project.The rest of the project results, including guidelines for seabird and benthic habitat monitoring in the Baltic, databases for seals and seabirds, and a work plan to improve data management and infrastructure, will be available by the end of May 2015.* * * Note for editors: 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.HELCOM (2013-2015) is an EU co-financed Baltic Sea pilot project: “Testing new concepts for integrated environmental monitoring of the Baltic Sea” with a budget of 0.46 M€. The project aim was to enhance the capacity of the Baltic Sea Member States to develop their marine monitoring programmes.  * * * For more information, please contact: Johanna Karhu Project Coordinator, BALSAM HELCOM Tel: +358 40 661 9040 Skype: helcom63 E-mail: johanna.karhu@helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

Key results of a large project on coordinated environmental monitoring are available, covering seals, non-indigenous species, research vessels, among others.

How the countries are doing in reaching
their HELCOM nutrient reduction targets was a priority topic of the HELCOM
Pressure group
ending last Friday, as a comprehensive follow-up system for the regional nutrient
reduction scheme is getting ready, based on the most recent data on polluting
nutrient inputs. The assessment of progress in cutting nutrient inputs, and all
related issues, is a key task of the Pressure group. ​​​​The latest data for individual sub-basins of the Baltic Sea is revealed by the recent on the assessment of nitrogen and phosphorus input to the Baltic Sea in 2012. The statistical trend of the overall burden of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Baltic Sea as a whole, indicates decrease with 18% and 23%, respectively, in the past 15 years. However, the situation differs between the sub-basins.  According to the HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme, reductions in inputs of nitrogen were needed to three sub-basins where Maximum Allowable Inputs were exceeded: Baltic Proper, Gulf of Finland and Kattegat. Out of these, only to Kattegat has the nitrogen input been cut sufficiently. However, statistically significant reduction has also been achieved for the Baltic Proper, by almost 55,000 tonnes (average annual input during 2010–2012 compared to the reference period of 1997–2003). No statistically significant reduction, compared to the reference period, can be confirmed for the Gulf of Finland. Reduction requirements were not set for nitrogen inputs to other basins, assuming that inputs were within acceptable maximum allowable input levels. Since adoption of the scheme, inputs of nitrogen have increased to Gulf of Riga and inputs to this basin now exceed maximum allowable levels. For the three sub-basins to which there was a need for reduce phosphorus inputs – Baltic Proper, Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Riga – inputs to none of them have yet measured below the maximum allowable level. The reduction of 20% (3,700 tonnes) and nearly 14% (1,000 tonnes) have been recorded since the reference period in inputs to the first two basins, while there have been no reductions in inputs to the third one.    The Maximum Allowable Input (MAI), a key component of HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme, is the estimated highest amount of nutrient input per year to a given sub-basin, which would still allow for reaching Good Environmental Status in terms of eutrophication.   The assessment results for sub-basins (MAI) have been and work is on-going to finalize an assessment of the progress of individual countries in reaching the country-wise reduction targets (CART). First results indicate that only Denmark has reached their reduction targets for nitrogen to all applicable sub-basin, and no countries have reached their reduction targets for phosphorous to all relevant basins. The assessment towards country-wise reduction targets is far more complex and requires substantial effort to be scientifically evident, as transboundary riverine inputs and retention have to be taken into account.  The draft assessment about the countries’ progress in reducing nutrient inputs, discussed at length by the Meeting, is expected to be published next month. The web presentation of the assessments will continue to be improved thereafter, as part of the overall effort in HELCOM to produce more user-friendly and easier to update reports.  The Pressure group meeting, also addressed another regionally significant matter – underwater noise. As impacts of underwater noise are a new concern, a road map for activities to improve the knowledge base on noise pollution and its consequences on marine life is under preparation.   The meeting also discussed other matters such as the upcoming implementation of the recent HELCOM Recommendation, Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (36/1), and the urgent need for promoting regionally the sustainable and environmentally friendly practices for handling of sludge, a by-product of waste water treatment processes.  The Pressure group meeting launched a process of data collection in order to compile a regional status report on medical substances in the environment, their sources and pathways. There is no such overview yet for the Baltic Sea region. The compiled information will be the basis for regional discussion on needed measures to prevent or mitigate possible environmental consequences of growing drug consumption in the region. The report is planned to be issued by mid-2016.  The Pressure group meeting was held in Tallinn, Estonia on 6-8 May 2015 and chaired by Lars Sonesten, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences .  All documents are available in the site. * * * Note for editors: The Baltic Sea coastal countries have each committed to annual targets for reducing the polluting nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen, ending up in the sea. The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan nutrient reduction scheme, originally from 2007, was reviewed and revised in 2013. The calculations of nutrient inputs to all sub-basins of the Baltic Sea were updated, including the transboundary air and waterborne inputs, allowing for more precise targets per each country. – 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.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.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The overall burden of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Baltic Sea as a whole have decreased with 18% and 23%, respectively, in the past 15 years. However, the situation differs between the sub-basins.

​​Final touches for the key set of region-wide indicators is a prominent point in this week’s of the HELCOM Working on the State of the Environment and Nature Conservation. Environmental managers and experts from all the riparian states are gathered to discuss and agree on new or improved procedures, guidelines and recommendations for regional monitoring and assessment of Baltic marine environment. Two of the suggested HELCOM core indicators are related to marine mammals: their reproductive status and nutritional status.  Photo: Anders Galatius. ​HELCOM core set of indicators, currently 25, are shared tools which help to better measure the status of the entire sea. Many of the HELCOM core indicators are about the status of different species, ranging from seals and seabirds to coastal fish and zooplankton. Other indicators concern hazardous substances, and pressures on the environment such as introduction of alien species and inputs of nutrients. The core indicators will now be given a final technical review before the HELCOM Heads of Delegation are expected to decide on them in June.  The agreed core indicators will be used as a basis for future HELCOM assessments. Furthermore, each fully developed indicator has a boundary value for Good Environmental Status (GES) defined which reflects the acceptable level of contamination. All in all, the operational indicators thus assist in constantly evaluating progress towards the agreed objectives of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and other relevant policies aiming at reaching a healthy sea by 2021.  In addition to the first batch of proposed HELCOM core set indicators, over 20 more are considered for further development to join the core set later. The State and Conservation Group meeting will also review the progress in renewal of the regional database for the coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas and agree on a method for the next HELCOM assessment of ecological coherence of protected areas to be carried out during this year. Moreover, clarifications are expected on the HELCOM Recommendation on conservation of Baltic Sea species categorized as threatened, whether the Contracting Parties are ready to proceed on adoption. New plans to upgrade the HELCOM work on monitoring and assessment of benthic habitats and birds are also on the agenda.  Other items in the 5-day meeting include two HELCOM Recommendations, on new procedures for notifying neighbouring countries about the use of autonomous monitoring devices in the Baltic Sea, and about the revised procedures for granting monitoring permits. Both of the recommendations, proposed for agreement, are important to facilitate monitoring and research in the Baltic Sea. These proposed procedures are part of the many results of the recently completed BALSAM Project on improving monitoring in the region, presented to the Meeting and summarized in a . The second meeting of the Working Group on the State of the Environment and Nature Conservation 11-15 May 2015 will be co-chaired by Urmas Lips, Marine Systems Institute at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia and Penina Blankett, Ministry of the Environment of Finland. . All documents will be public after the meeting. * * * Note for editors:HELCOM Working Group on the State of the Environment and Nature Conservation () covers monitoring and assessment functions as well as issues related to nature conservation and biodiversity protection in HELCOM. The group works across the monitoring-indicators-assessment chain for the coordinated development of HELCOM thematic assessment tools, as well as coherent holistic assessment of the ecosystems health. 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:Ulla Li ZweifelProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel. +358 46 850 9198Skype: helcom64E-mail: ullali.zweifel(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Final touches for the key set of region-wide indicators is a prominent point in this week’s meeting of HELCOM State & Conservation group.

​​​​​​​​Nutrient bookeeping at farm level is explored in a HELCOM workshop finishing today in Oldenburg, Germany. Nutrient bookkeeping, a key HELCOM issue particularly after the 2013 Ministerial , stands for planning and accounting input and output of nutrients in agricultural production, thus, for instance, keeping track of effectiveness of fertilizer use. The status of introducing nutrient bookkeeping in all the Baltic Sea countries are presented in the workshop by scientists, environmental and agricultural administrations and interest organizations.Nutrient
bookkeeping has strong potential for minimal nutrient waste as well as reducing
the harm for the Baltic marine environment. Photo: Helena Rosenlew.The participants have been sharing the experiences so far from different Baltic Sea countries, which in turn will help to shape necessary future activities. This includes potential development of policy and possibly other instruments on nutrient bookkeeping.  The environmental condition of the Baltic Sea is widely affected by the over supply of nutrients causing eutrophication, algal blooms and changing conditions for the marine species. Agriculture is a major source of nutrient input to the sea and therefore sustainable practices are the key to minimizing nutrient losses. Nutrient bookkeeping has strong potential for minimal nutrient waste as well as reducing the harm for the Baltic marine environment.  he HELCOM workshop is organized by the Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony and the Federal Environmental Agency in Germany and will be chaired by Mr. Dietrich Schulz, Federal Environment Agency in Germany, and Ms. Anette Pedersen, Danish Ministry of Environment. The work will continue in 28-29 May, when the HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices (Agri group) next meets.​* * * Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as HE​LCOM, 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. 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: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​

Nutrient bookeeping at farm level is explored in a HELCOM workshop finishing today in Oldenburg, Germany, to support nutrient efficient farming and to minimize the environmental impact on the Baltic Sea.

​​​​​​​​​The HELCOM Recommendation on aquaculture is the lead topic in a Fish group continuing today in Warsaw, Poland, as most if not all pending issues on the Recommendation are expected to be solved. Aquaculture is a growing commercial sector still with a good chance for achieving a balance between economical profit and environmental protection.  The HELCOM Group on Ecosystem-based Sustainable Fisheries renewed its operations last year and involves a solid representation of administrative, scientific and civil society’s representatives from all the countries of the Baltic region.One key point of negotiating the aquaculture Recommendation is the risk of non-indigenous species. Photo: Sergey Titov&GosNIORKhThe aim of the draft Recommendation on aquaculture is to give guidance for the best practices for minimizing and preventing negative environmental impact of aquaculture on marine ecosystems of the Baltic Sea. The core issues still to be agreed on by the HELCOM members – nine riparian countries and the EU –​ relate to nutrients input to the Baltic Sea and establishment of aquaculture facilities in marine protected areas. Another vital part concerns the risk of non-indigenous species, as they are common in fish farming but if accidentally released, may have impact on wild populations of species. The Recommendation is to be finalized by June this year as decided earlier by HELCOM. The Group has yesterday discussed and concluded on how to take forward the work in HELCOM on conservation of migratory fish species, recreational fisheries and assessing its impact on fish mortality and coastal ecosystems as such. Also covered in the Meeting agenda is the work on data for core indicators to assess the progress towards Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea. Especially, it has been considered important to address by-catch and lack of monitoring data for the core indicator on drowned mammals and waterbirds in fishing gear, as accidental catch is a significant mortality factor for some species in the Baltic Sea. In general, HELCOM is soon to finalize close to thirty core indicators, which are crucial for improving the evaluation of progress in reaching the goal of the Baltic Sea in a healthy status.  The Meeting is chaired by Mr. Marcin Ruciński, Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chair of the Fish Group. . All documents will be public after the meeting. * * *Note for editorsHELCOM Group on Ecosystem-based Sustainable Fisheries – – deals with fisheries in relation to the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach. Moreover, the group responds to the need to find solutions on how the sector could further contribute to reaching Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea by 2021. The Fish Group involves representatives from fisheries and environment authorities of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as EU, and HELCOM Observers and others as appropriate. 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.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fI

Aquaculture is a growing commercial sector, covering e.g. fish farming, still with a chance for a balance between economical profit and environmental protection.

​The HELCOM-supported which started today in St. Petersburg, Russia is a popular forum for regional environmental dialogue arranged for 15 consecutive years. The participants include high level representatives from ministries and managers from administration of the Baltic Sea countries and beyond, the EU, as well as regional cooperation organizations and financial institutions. Members of the event, organized by the non-governmental organization Ecology and Business, cover many sectors of the Baltic society – science, business, governance, NGOs and the mass media. Natalia Tretiakova, HELCOM Head of Delegation of Russia, receives the award for personal contributions to the development of Baltic cooperation.HELCOM Head of Delegation, Ms. Natalia Tretiakova from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Russian Federation, received the main award for personal contributions to the development of Baltic cooperation. There were five recipients in total for the award from the V. I. Vernadskiy Ecological Fund, among them Mr. Jaakko Henttonen from European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).HELCOM Chair Harry Liiv focused in his speech at the plenary on the current priorities of Estonian Chairmanship of HELCOM, with particular attention on nutrient removal and recycling as well as marine litter. The latter is a particularly current issue – and a topic of one of the afternoon sessions – as the Regional action plan for marine litter was adopted just two weeks ago as a new HELCOM Recommendation.  “HELCOM has a long tradition of cooperation in organizing the Baltic Sea Day as HELCOM’s work can benefit from the discussions held in the roundtables and from the networks of experts, scientists and managers who continue gathering every year to debate about the marine environment protection”, HELCOM Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz said in the opening plenary.”The Forum reminds us of the value of cooperation in HELCOM – all members of our family, the nine riparian countries and the European Union continue working together around one table as the marine environment unites us all. This has proved to be true in the past and is also the spirit of cooperation now, and I’m sure will be in the future.”There will be six different round table sessions rolling out in the afternoon. The topics range from marine and coastal protected areas to biodiversity, environmentally friendly farming, sustainable sewage sludge handling, marine litter and the results of 2014 Gulf of Finland Year, among others. Tomorrow Friday the areas of environmental education as well as journalism are covered in their respective sessions.Full programme is available in the of the Forum organizer, Ecology and Business NGO, St. Petersburg, Russia.  * * *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:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The HELCOM-supported Baltic Sea Day started today in St. Petersburg, Russia. The popular Forum has been organized for 15 consecutive years.

​A brand new project Baltic SCOPE, with HELCOM participation, has been launched this week in Gothenburg, Sweden, coordinated by the Swedish for Marine and Water Management. As committed by the Ministers both for marine environment protection and spatial planning, in the regional for maritime spatial planning, most countries in the Baltic Sea region have intensified their efforts in developing marine spatial plans. The EU-funded project will contribute to this challenging task. The Baltic SCOPE project focuses on planning various marine-based activities such as shipping, fishing, offshore wind farming, and protected areas – more specifically, would such activities possibly co-exist or be separated in different parts of the marine areas. Importantly, the planning of the common sea areas is to be a coordinated effort. HELCOM will provide the SCOPE project with maritime GIS data, especially on ship movements in the region based on the HELCOM Automatic Identification System (AIS) network.  The project is comprised of two case studies that build upon marine spatial planning processes that have already begun – one in the Baltic Sea southwest and the other between Estonia, Latvia and Sweden.Link:  * * *Note for editors:According to the United Nations, maritime spatial planning (MSP) is “a public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives that usually have been specified through a political process.” Operational since 2010, the HELCOM-VASAB MSP ensures the regional coherence of any activities related to maritime spatial planning. The group is in charge of the Horizontal Action Spatial Planning within the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. HELCOM Ministerial Meeting adopted in 2013 the Regional Baltic maritime spatial planning roadmap 2013–2020. * * *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 , meeting annually since 2002. E-navigation uses such information to create a second generation of electronic services for enhanced safety and environmental performance– Check the 3 minute , ‘Baltic Sea shipping visualised’ * * *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.fiJohanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

HELCOM will provide the Baltic SCOPE project with maritime GIS data, especially on ship movements based on the AIS network.

​Better reporting on harmful discharges other than oil from ships to the Baltic Sea is discussed by the HELCOM on aerial surveillance, continuing its 2-day annual meeting in Sopot, Poland. The main focus of the Baltic aerial surveillance cooperation has traditionally been on detection of illegal discharges of mineral oil, while more systematic reporting on other harmful substances observed from air would also be needed. Photo: Netherlands Coast GuardThe group also continues to develop the pressure indicator of oil spills affecting the marine environment. This is a part of the larger HELCOM process of holistically assessing the Baltic Sea, not succeeding without solid information not just about the status but also about pressures towards the environment and the human activities behind it. The oil spill indicator, one of the many expecting finalization in June 2015, will be based on the data on illegal oil spills collected since the 1980’s.   In addition, the meeting will plan for the next pollution control operations. For having a realistic estimate of the total number of oil spills discharged into the Baltic Sea during a randomly selected period, Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operations (CEPCO) are organized at least twice a year within the HELCOM framework. These high-intensity operations vary in length and are from time to time organized jointly with the North Sea countries. The meeting will discuss for the next CEPCOs, for which the timing is kept strictly confidential until the operations are over.  Moreover, the group is in charge of compiling the annual report on aerial surveillance activities in the Baltic Sea in 2014, expecting soon its official release after the review of the expert group.  * * *Note for editors:The HELCOM Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance () works to implement the aerial surveillance cooperation, as agreed on by all the HELCOM parties.Cooperation on Baltic aerial surveillance was established within the HELCOM framework in the 1980s, requiring the Member States to conduct regular surveillance outside their coastlines. This includes developing and applying, individually or in cooperation, surveillance activities covering the Baltic Sea area.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:Laura Meski Assistant Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 162 2053 Skype: helcom82 E-mail: laura.meski(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Reporting on harmful discharges other than oil from ships to the Baltic Sea is a key topic in the expert group meeting.

​HELCOM has released a of the HELCOM Overview on Baltic Sea Sewage Port Reception Facilities 2014. The report provides information on port reception facilities for sewage as well as their use by international cruise ships in the Baltic Sea area.Based on the analyses of ship movements, ​passenger capacity and port facilities, the report also helps to clarify what the real needs of cruise traffic might be in terms of sewage management in the Baltic Sea cruise ports.Cruise ship calls – updated figures. The new version includes additional information and builds on the feedback received after the>first release on 4th of February 2015.>>Additional cruise ships have been included to the list of ships used in the analysis based on Automatic identification System (AIS) data, information on port facilities have been updated and also other changes have been made. The revisions are based on the new information received from ports and administrations of Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Russian Federation and Sweden.The second edition can be downloaded from .> The overview repor​t has identical, user-friendly spreads of 33 ports in the Baltic
Sea, including locator maps.Main findings:​79 different cruise ships owned by 42​ operators sailed in the Baltic Sea during the 20​14 cruising season. Half of these were smaller vessels with a maximum capacity of 1,500  ​pe​rsons or less, including staff and passengers. Six vessels, or 7,6%, were large vessels with a maximum capacity of 4,000 persons or more. Five main destinations – St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Tallinn, Helsinki and Stockholm – account for 65 % of the cruise ship traffic in terms of calls. In total, cruise ships visited in 33 ports during 2014. Nearly half of the 33 ports had eleven or fewer visits, five only one visit. In four ports, including Visby, large ships anchor outside the port and use shuttle boat transportation to the shore.Voyages between two ports lasted commonly between 8 and 20 hours at sea, and the cruise ships stayed usually in port between 8-10 hours. The international cruise ship voyages involved in total 7,15 million person days, comparable to year-around habitation of 19 600 people.88 % of the international cruise ship calls were intra-Baltic travels, or calls where both the previous port visited and the current port are in the Baltic Sea. There were 2,125 international cruise ship calls in total.In a small fraction of visits the ships travelled a long time at sea from previous port, stopped for a short time and had a high maximum number of persons on board. Such visits create challenges for ports if the assumption is that all sewage is to be delivered in ports between voyages. 6​0 % of cruise ship visits in the region have a maximum sewage discharge need of less than 42 m3 sewage per hour in port – if a daily sewage production of 0,17 m3 per person and per day is assumed.​* * * Note for editors:The
of HELCOM identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution
and ways for safer navigation in the Baltic Sea. It also works to ensure
enforcement and harmonized implementation of IMOs international
shipping regulations in accordance to the 1992 Helsinki Convention.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 Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 850 9199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​​>

The new version includes additional information and builds on the feedback received after the first release on 4th of February 2015.

Update on the HELCOM process on the Baltic Sea status as a special area
for passenger ship sewage

​This week, during the HELCOM Annual 3-4 March 2015, the Contracting Parties continued to address the issue of limiting passenger ships’ sewage ending up in the Baltic Sea. The negotiations concerned various options to be able to be in a position that a joint notification by HELCOM countries could be sent to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The deadline for documents for the next meeting of the IMO decision making body (MEPC 68 in May 2015) is today, Friday 6 March.The notification document has the function to notify that the relevant Baltic regional ports have adequate capacity to receive passenger sewage, as this is a prerequisite for the existing IMO Special Area status on sewage for the Baltic Sea to take effect. The HELCOM Heads of Delegations considered the issue, in addition to the plenary, during two working sessions on 3 March. At that time an agreement could not be reached regarding a notification covering all the Baltic Sea countries.  As the HELCOM Chair stated in the meeting, HELCOM will follow developments at IMO and also continue the technical cooperation within the Port Reception Facilities (PRF) Cooperation Platform on sewage delivery between the administrations, industry stakeholders and the civil society. Sweden – leading the drafting of the notification document – informed at the meeting to be prepared to continue to lead the drafting process to finalize the notification to MEPC 68 with the interested Contracting States. On the other hand, the Russian Federation informed of the need to be aware of the shipping companies’ policy regarding the implementation of the more stringent standards for sewage treatment, whether they have plans in place to install new or upgrade existing sewage treatment plants on their passenger ships. The Russian delegation urged for a complex economic assessment of the consequences of the enforcement of the Special Area status.All Contracting Parties informed in HELCOM that their reception facilities in relevant passenger ports are adequate. BackgroundIn July 2011, a milestone in Baltic protection was reached when IMO decided to establish the Baltic Sea as a special area for sewage from passenger ships, by amending the Annex IV of the MARPOL Convention. The resolution was the culmination of long negotiations among HELCOM countries, resulting in a joint HELCOM application of such a status to the IMO.The amendments by IMO concerning the Baltic Sea, as described above, entered into force on 1 January 2013. Since this date the Baltic Sea is thus already de jure a Special Area for sewage.However, the effective application of this already existing legal status is subject to the availability of adequate sewage Port Reception Facilities (PRF) in the region. The adequacy of sewage PRF has to be separately notified to IMO MEPC and this can be done jointly or individually by the coastal countries. The dates of the enforcement of the 2011 IMO resolution are an unfinished topic. According to the 2011 resolution, discharge of sewage from passenger ships within a special area would be prohibited from 1 January 2016 onwards for new passenger ships, and from 1 January 2018 for existing passenger ships. These dates cannot be met any longer. The new dates discussed are 1 June 2019 and 1 June 2021, respectively.Port reception facilities have been on HELCOM agenda since long. Its first Recommendation 1/1 from 1980 was about measures to ensure the use of reception facilities for wastes from ships.This
week, HELCOM has also  on port reception facilities on 5 March 2015 at the “Pan European Dialogue between cruise operators, ports and coastal tourism stakeholders”. * * *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:

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

Update on the HELCOM process on the Baltic Sea status as a special area for passenger ship sewage