Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

​​​​​​​​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

Statement by monika stankiewicz, Helcom executive secretary

Dear Colleagues,2014 was the year of the 40th
anniversary and the modernization of HELCOM. The jubilee celebrations were
pleasant and joyful – a moment of reflection on our grand past and a look into
the desirable future. It was also an opportunity to show appreciation to all
involved in the common mission.Modernization sounds less joyful,
although it shouldn’t be, otherwise we would not be doing the right job. The
streamlining of HELCOM has now been concluded. Time will show how successful we
will be – the Contracting Parties and the Secretariat in delivering what has
been promised – with clearer priorities and more structured planning, a new
working structure, improved work flows and more effective communication. Also,
hopefully, HELCOM will not be an isolated case but all major organizations and processes
in the Baltic Sea region will follow suit to secure synergies and integration. We can already prove increased
synergies, which was in the heart of HELCOM’s modernization. HELCOM and OSPAR
are working together on core indicators to assess the status of the marine
environment and on the harmonized implementation of the BWMC. The HELCOM
monitoring manual was prepared and published last autumn for the countries’ use
in their reporting under other international obligations. Next holistic
assessment of the Baltic ecosystem health has been agreed to serve as “roof
report” to be reported in 2018 by the HELCOM EU countries under MSFD.Coordinating work and assessments,
yes, this has progressed well. But importantly, new measures in the region
continue to be coordinated to effectively implement HELCOM acquis (the
requirements of the Helsinki Convention, HELCOM Recommendations), also taking
into account the requirements of the MSFD and relevant legislation in the
Russian Federation. After all, taking all appropriate measures to prevent and
eliminate pollution is the basic requirement of the Helsinki Convention, and it
is only through concrete measures that we can improve the status of the Baltic
Sea.My last point also concerns
measures, in the maritime field. Since its beginning HELCOM has been
the regional platform to discuss and agree among the riparian countries on
harmonized implementation of IMO conventions and, if and when proved necessary,
on additional and stricter requirements to be applied by ships operating in the
sensitive area of the Baltic Sea. The discussions have not always been easy and
processes fast, but nevertheless we could say with confidence that in our
region pollution from ships has been addressed adequately. The maritime field
has been one of the most successful areas of cooperation in HELCOM.Also last year a lot of efforts were
invested in working out solutions for green shipping and regarding ballast
water, sewage from passenger ships, emissions of pollutants and use of
alternative fuels. There is both a willingness among the administrations and a
clear need for such solutions. Shipping industry and other stakeholders are
actively engaged. One could say we have all it takes to propose and then agree
on workable solutions on these important issues, for the benefit of the Baltic
marine environment. Yet, the agreements that are needed
to conclude the processes on time have recently proved to be difficult to make.
We are running a risk and are very close to a situation, when it will no longer
be possible to state that shipping is the most environmentally friendly mode of
transport, at least not in the Baltic, as the controls over land-based
pollution sources tighten. This would not be good for the region, for the
marine environment nor the industry itself. I realize the difficulties and
challenges, the issue of competences and legal complexity, varying expert or
scientific opinions, economic concerns. But it is possible for us to overcome
these, with phased-in implementation schemes, suitable timetables, and
appropriate legal and other solutions, as long as political will is there. After the jubilee year the
streamlined HELCOM is ready to face any future challenges. HELCOM’s strength is
cooperation, which is based on trust and equality between Contracting
Parties.  Let’s build on the successful
past and ensure that HELCOM delivers also in the future.* * *For more information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Annual statement on the work of the HELCOM Secretariat in 2014, including comments and evaluation of the work of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies.

The Regional action plan for marine and the Recommendation
on the conservation of in the Baltic Sea are both expecting
adoption this week as the highest body of HELCOM, the Annual Meeting, convenes
in Helsinki, Finland. The delegates of the Contracting Parties of the Helsinki
Convention, representing the nine coastal Baltic countries as well as the EU,
will also address the on effective regional work between HELCOM and the
EU Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region, as the revision of the Action Plan of the
Strategy is about to be finalized soon.

 op-10 items found in the Baltic Sea as well as micro-plastics have special measures reserved in the marine litter action plan. Photo: Bo Eide/Flickr.

Marine litter is a growing concern globally as well as regionally, and the HELCOM Recommendation on Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter is the first comprehensive approach to the problem in the Baltic Sea region. The HELCOM commitment from 2013 is to achieve a significant quantitative reduction of marine litter by 2025, compared to 2015.  The plan integrates the actions required at regional level as well as the national actions by countries according to their needs. Special measures are addressed to the top-10 items found in the Baltic Sea as well micro-plastics. The document also highlights the importance of environmental education and recommends coordinated monitoring programmes for the common marine litter indicators. The Marine litter action plan, to be successfully implemented, will require the countries’ leadership for specific actions as well as wide involvement of stakeholders in the region. Close cooperation with other Regional Seas Conventions, and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, has also been brought up as a way to realize a wide ranging measures. Moreover, adequate protection for the will take shape after the expected adoption of the new HELCOM Recommendation. The new Recommendation follows up on the critical situation of many Baltic Sea species as concluded in the 2013 HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea in danger of becoming extinct (). Preparation of a Recommendation on the Conservation of is expected to begin shortly. The Annual Meeting, held on 3-4 March, will also follow up on the recent to institutionalize the cooperation under HELCOM policies and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, for better defining the complementarity of the roles and specific tasks. As both in HELCOM and under EUSBSR there are shared action areas, more systematic cooperation will save resources and add to the efficiency in reaching the mutual goals. Other key topics under negotiations:-          Finalization of the HELCOM Recommendation on sustainable aquaculture. Substituting the existing HELCOM Recommendation (25/4) aims to limit potential environmental impacts of aquaculture activities such as the introduction of non-indigenous species, ecological and genetic impacts on wild fish stocks from unintended releases of farmed species, nutrient pollution, as well as introduction of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals. Aquaculture, including fish farming, is a growing food production industry that continues to have large potential for green technologies and environmentally friendly production methods, both in marine and fresh waters.-          Adoption of the Revised HELCOM Guidelines for Management of Dredged Material at Sea.-          Adopting the revised HELCOM Recommendation 25/7 on safety of winter navigation in the Baltic Sea Area, including a new harmonization of approximate correspondence of ice classes-          Adopting the revised HELCOM Recommendation 34E/4 “Airborne surveillance with remote sensing equipment in the Baltic Sea area”-          Finalization of a work plan to improve regional coherence, in the implementation of different marine policies to reach Good Environmental Status –          Cooperation with other Regional Seas Conventions and organizations – newest developments * * *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 LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Marine litter, Recommendation on threatened species and the revision of the EU Regional Strategy Action Plan and HELCOM are top items of the HELCOM Annual Meeting.

​Energy efficiency, marine litter, agriculture and sewage sludge are among the key topics in the XVI International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day”, held on 18-20 March 2015 in St. Petersburg, Russia.The Forum, arranged for 15 consecutive years, has traditionally been a popular platform for regional environmental dialogue. The participants represent many sectors of the Baltic society – administration, science, business, NGOs and the mass media.Key plenary topicsHELCOM priorities during the presidency of EstoniaResults of the 2014 Year of the Gulf of Finland Global Dialogue on Water security and Sustainable Growth (Global Water Partnership)St. Petersburg Initiative – interim resultsNord Stream: Results and data of the environmental monitoring programme of the pipeline “Nord Stream” in 2014Marine and coastal protected areas of Russia: Status and prospectsRound tablesEnergy efficiencyGreen agricultureMarine litterSustainable sewage sludge handlingBest practices of environmental education other key environmental topicsFor a smoother Visa process, any willing participant is encouraged to approach the organizers soonest (contact: Ms. Natalia Bobyleva, bobyleva@helcom.ru).Full programme is available in the of the Forum organizer, Ecology and Business NGO, St. Petersburg, Russia.  * * * For more information, please contact:Ekaterina Vorobyeva Ecology and Business Tel: +7 81 2982 9437 Skype: ekaterina_vorobyeva E-mail: vorobyeva(at)helcom.ruJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Energy efficiency, marine litter, agriculture and sewage sludge are among the key topics in the XVI International Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Day”, 18-20 March 2015.