Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

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.

​Fish from the Baltic region gather today in Copenhagen to finalize the HELCOM core indicators on , expecting release in June 2015, and to plan for the next concerned thematic assessment, among others. The coastal fish communities are an important component of the Baltic Sea ecosystems and serve as an indicator of coastal ecosystem health at large.Targeted monitoring of coastal fish has been coordinated by the HELCOM FISH-PRO network since 2003. Photo: Dasvid Andersson. There have been substantial changes in the coastal fish communities over the late 20th century, calling for an increased focus as many species of coastal fish are also of a high socio-economic value for coastal societies, small scale coastal fisheries and recreational fishing. Targeted monitoring of coastal fish has been coordinated by the HELCOM FISH-PRO network since 2003. Regular monitoring, conducted annually in the region from the mid-1980s onwards, is essential for determining the potential effects of human activities on coastal fish communities.  In the 3-day meeting the FISH-PRO group is also discussing the preparations for the next indicator-based thematic assessment of coastal fish status, to be published in 2018. The report will, among others, review the work done since the last similar assessment from 2012 () and also contribute to the large HELCOM holistic assessment currently under works. Moreover, potential use of alternative data sources, such as commercial catch statistics, will be reviewed in the meeting, for supporting indicator development, status assessments as well as for filling the gaps in current monitoring. The Meeting of the Continuation of the project on Baltic-wide assessment of coastal fish communities in support of an ecosystem-based management (FISH-PRO II 2-2015) will be chaired by Mr. Jens Olsson from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU-Aqua).. All 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. * * * For more information, please contact:Petra Kääriä Assistant Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: petra.kaaria(at)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information SecretaryHELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Fish experts from the Baltic region gather today in Copenhagen to finalize core indicators and to plan for the next concerned thematic assessment.

The many concrete measures and actions for reaching the good
environmental status for the Baltic Sea require determined and effective
regional coordination, again a key topic of HELCOM
group
starting today in Berlin, Germany. The 2-day session will continue to outline
regional coordination of Programme of Measures needed to achieve a healthy
Baltic Sea, as agreed in the HELCOM Baltic Sea as well as the
EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Maritime Doctrine of the Russian
Federation. HELCOM Gear group works towards
region-wide cooperation on all elements of national marine strategies. Photo: Ulf Bergström.Another agenda point is a plan for improving regional
coherence in implementation of marine policies. The HELCOM Plan, among others,
lays out issues on which further steps and activities on regional level are
needed in the short (2015/2016), mid- (2018), and long-term (beyond 2018), to
reach the goal of the good environmental status by 2021 he Gear group, formed of managers from environmental administration,
will also start planning for development of additional environmental targets
for pressures on the Baltic Sea environment. For each Baltic coastal country,
environmental targets for reducing nutrient inputs in the Baltic Sea have already
been agreed through the HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme. These targets form
the basis for development of measures to reduce nutrient input, and having common
targets for also other pressures would enable better coordinated mitigation
efforts. ne timely item in the meeting agenda are synergies with EU for the Baltic Sea
Region, as the new Action Plan for the Strategy is under development. HELCOM
seeks to institutionalize the shared scope of work, as this would save
resources and add to the efficiency in reaching the mutual goals he ninth Meeting of the Group for the Implementation of the
Ecosystem Approach (GEAR 9-2015) will be chaired by Chair of GEAR, Ms. Heike
Imhoff  . All the files will be public after the meeting * * *Note for editorsThe HELCOM Group for the Implementation of the Ecosystem
Approach Gear oversees
region-wide co-operation on marine strategies, covering both legal basis and
agreed measures. The group is the main instrument, for EU members, in
implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and within HELCOM, it
guards inter-group coherence in implementing the ecosystem approach 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.f ohanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.f 

​

The many concrete measures and actions for improving the status of the Baltic Sea require determined regional coordination, a key topic of Gear group meeting now starting in Berlin.

​​​(Please note that a of the report has been released on the 6th of March. The new version includes different numbers than those indicated below)A HELCOM released today provides information on port reception facilities for  (PRFs) and their use by international cruise ships in the Baltic Sea area during 2014.  Cruise ship visits per city and traffic density. Cruise ships operating in the Baltic Sea, their length of sea voyages as well as frequency and duration of port visits are described in detail. Also the ports visited by cruise ships and the sewage facilities are covered in terms of facilities and traffic trends. The report is based on information from obligatory AIS (Automatic Identification System) position reports received from a comprehensive list of cruise ships operating in the region. It provides thus a nearly complete coverage of cruise ship movements during 2014. Based on the analyses of ship movements, passenger capacity and port facilities, the new report helps also to clarify what the real needs of cruise traffic might be in terms of sewage management in the Baltic Sea cruise ports. Main findings:Around
77 different cruise ships owned by 37 operators sailed in the Baltic
Sea during the cruising season 2014. Half of these were smaller vessels
with a maximum capacity of 1,500 persons or less, including staff and
passengers. Eight vessels, or 10 %, 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 67 % of the cruise ship traffic in terms of
calls. In total, cruise ships visited in 31 ports during 2014. Half of
the 31 ports had eleven or fewer visits, six only one visit. In three
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 6,55 million person
days, comparable to year-around habitation of 18 000 people. 80
% 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 2,252 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.  70
% 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​

A HELCOM report released today provides information on sewage port reception facilities and their use by international cruise ships in the Baltic Sea area during 2014.

​Today, Contracting Parties of the Helsinki Convention meet aiming at finalizing the draft regional action plan on to be subsequently submitted to the next annual Commission meeting for adoption in March. The online meeting will focus on the remaining open issues of the draft , which aims to also become canonized as a HELCOM Recommendation. Consumer behaviour is considered as the most important reason for marine litter in the Baltic Sea. Photo: Jenny Gustafsson/Keep the Archipelago Tidy Finland.Marine litter is a growing concern at sea and shores alike and a for the Estonian Chairmanship of HELCOM. The concrete work for a regional action plan started in May 2014, following the Ministerial binding all the Baltic coastal governments. The drafting process has benefited from expertise from non-governmental organizations, research institutions, industry, as well as concerned administration and authorities. The wide consultations have been important for the successively improved test plans, including the proposed actions to reduce marine litter in the Baltic Sea. The plan will integrate actions at regional and national level, covering different pathways for marine litter. The list includes waste management; sewage and storm water management; maintaining beaches and urban areas; fisheries; and shipping. Special measures are addressed to the top-10 items found in the Baltic Sea marine environment as well micro-plastics. The document also pays attention to environmental education and involving the producers in the action to reduce marine litter.  Marine litter has a large impact on the environment. While an evident aesthetic problem, litter impairs marine organisms, threatens human health and safety, and increases socio-economic costs. Consumer behaviour is considered as the most important reason for marine litter in the Baltic Sea: 48 % of marine litter in the Baltic Sea is estimated to originate from household‐related waste, including sanitary waste, while waste generated by recreational or tourism activities would add up to 33 %. (MARINE LITTER 3-2015). All documents will be public 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:Marta Ruiz Project Coordinator HELCOM Tel: +358 40 6472424 Skype: helcom59 E-mail: marta.ruiz(at)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Remaining open issues are discussed today of the regional plan, to be subsequently submitted to the next annual Commission meeting for adoption in March.

​High-quality data on maritime spatial planning () in the Baltic region will be a major issue in a starting today, along with a new expert group under plans to better tackle the current blocks in access and availability of such data.  Another key topic is the implementation of the EU Directive on MSP , adopted last July. HELCOM has thematic and targeted on maritime spatial planning in the Baltic Sea region.The data in question concerns marine activities as well as biological, physical and socio-economic environments. At present, sufficient data for trans-boundary maritime spatial planning (MSP) is lacking. There are still challenges in availability, compatibility, usability and spread of data. The planned data expert group would identify and address the key impediments as well as ensure structured and continuous work. Last summer, HELCOM has created thematic and targeted on MSP in the Baltic Sea region, already improving access to GIS and other related data. The national work to implement the EU Directive on maritime spatial planning can be supported with existing Baltic experience in MSP. The participants of the meeting will discuss the role and contribution of their Working Group, operational since 2010, with regards to the implementation strategy of the EU Directive.  The dynamic future of MSP will be represented in the meeting also in the form of a number of projects – Baltic LINes, Baltic Scope, BaltSpace and “BaltWise II”. Wind power, shipping, pipelines, fishing and protected areas are just some areas covered, assisting the Working Group to tap into the forthcoming fresh results and best practices thus better supporting countries in their work on eco-system based MSP.  The meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden is the tenth regular session for the joint Working on MSP of HELCOM and Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (VASAB). The meeting is hosted by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) and chaired by Mr. Andrzej Cieślak, Poland and Joacim Johansson, Sweden. . All documents will be public after the meeting.  * * *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 has regularized its place to ensure 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 for the Baltic Sea Region. HELCOM Ministerial Meeting adopted in 2013 the Regional Baltic maritime spatial planning roadmap 2013–2020. 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 further information, please contact:Laura Meski Assistant Professional Secretary HELCOM +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

High-quality data and implementation of the EU Directive on maritime spatial planning will be key topics in a meeting starting today.

Knowledge on seabird populations, distribution and mobility on a regional scale will improve, as work on a metadatabase as well as joint seabird monitoring guidelines is moving forward in an starting today in Jurmala, Latvia. Countries along the Baltic Sea have monitored seabirds for decades, but as the resulting data has been stored in different institutes and databases, it has been challenging to assess and act on the regionally important questions, e.g. what the number of seabirds in a certain area can tell us about the health of the Baltic Sea marine environment. The new guidelines will establish same methods for all Baltic countries on seabird monitoring. Photo: Jannica Haldin. The meeting will also discuss the finalization of the region-wide bird HELCOM that are to be based on the joint coordinated monitoring.  Thirdly, as seabirds regularly migrate between the regions, cooperation is called for to support both scientific and managerial work with other regions. The meeting will explore possibilities of HELCOM joining forces with the joint bird group of the Commission and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea ().  The seabird metadatabase includes detailed information on all water bird surveys in the Baltic Sea since 1991. The HELCOM BALSAM project, co-financed by the EU, has developed the metadatabase and is now finalizing specific guidelines on how to monitor seabirds using the same methods in all Baltic Sea countries. The meeting will be chaired by Mr. Ainars Aunins, Latvian Fund for Nature and attended by experts from HELCOM countries.                                                  * * * Note for editors project – Testing new concepts for integrated environmental monitoring of the Baltic Sea (2013-15) – strengthens the capacity of the Baltic Sea states to develop their environmental monitoring programmes, including compatibility of data from different monitoring schemes. The project especially focuses on monitoring of seals and seabirds, non-indigenous species, benthic habitats and coordinated use of research vessels as well as improving data management and infrastructure. 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 contactJohanna Karhu Project Coordinator, BALSAM HELCOM Tel: +358 40 661 9040 Skype: helcom63 E-mail: johanna.karhu@helcom.f Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.f 

Knowledge on seabird populations, distribution and mobility will improve, as work on a metadatabase and joint seabird monitoring guidelines moves ahead.

​Eleven new marine and coastal protected areas with high biological diversity have recently been designated as HELCOM marine protected areas () in Finland. The new MPA nominations expand the existing network in the Baltic Sea by 720 km2, which now in total has 174 sites covering an area of ca 540,400 km2 – roughly the size of France. The spread of HELCOM marine protected areas has increased threefold since 2004 and now covers about 12 % of the Baltic Sea marine area. Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Mats WesterbomThe four sites in the Gulf of Finland and one in the Gulf of Bothnia represent important marine environments, reefs and sandbanks in offshore areas. Meanwhile, six sites in the Archipelago Sea include different types of islets and islands in the outer archipelago. All but one of the new MPAs are also under the Natura 2000 status, ensuring smoother joint management as well as better legal protection.  The criteria for coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas was upgraded in the new HELCOM Recommendation () last year, which now also takes into account Red-listed species at risk of extinction, as well as biotopes threatened by collapse in the Baltic Sea. Also the need for ecological coherence is now more clearly manifested. In general, the Recommendation helps to protect the full range of biodiversity in the region, preserve ecosystems as well as to secure a sustainable use of natural resources.  The spread of HELCOM marine protected areas has increased threefold since 2004 and now covers about 12 % of the marine area, thereby exceeding the target of 10 % set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Baltic Sea was one of the first regional seas in the world to reach this target. However, the designation of HELCOM MPAs in off-shore areas has so far been lagging behind, which has weakened the network’s ecological coherence. The new sites in Finland expands the area of protection especially in off-shore waters. The work continues – an analysis of ecological coherence of the network will be carried out by HELCOM later this year.  List of the new HELCOM marine protected areas (MPA) in Finland:  * * *Note for editors:HELCOM 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 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. 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 further information, please contactJanica BorgProject Coordinator (ECONET, HELCOM MPAs)HELCOMTel: +358 40 662 0101E-mail: janica.borg(@)helcom.fiSkype: helcom57 Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fiSkype: helcom70

Eleven new marine and coastal protected areas with high biological diversity have been designated as HELCOM marine protected areas in Finland.