Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

Sustaining
the wild salmon population in Luga River, North-West Russia – having a significant impact in
preventing the decline of all the Baltic salmon – would be possible with better
management plan, developed further today in St. Petersburg, Russia. Respective
national authorities, experts
from the research community
and other local stakeholders are actively involved in weighing in possible scenarios based
on the fresh   of one of the pilots of the HELCOM BASE project. The protection efforts in Luga will feed into
the implementation of 2013 Ministerial commitments to further pursue conservation
goals for the Baltic salmon and sea trout. The Luga River has key importance since it is one of the few
remaining wild salmon rivers that runs into the Gulf of Finland ; besides it is
free of migration barriers for ascending salmon, hence allowing the fish to
reach the reproduction areas of the river. The Luga has recently been listed as
one of the priority rivers in need of conservation and restoration measures by (based on the outcome of ) and had also been listed previously as a priority salmon
river by the former International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC). An inventory of wild salmon and sea trout populations in
Luga River has been a key activity of the biodiversity
of the EU-funded BASE Project, carried out since May last year.  The main factors affecting the populations
include poaching, polluted spawning grounds, as well as intensive port
construction in the estuarine area of Luga River. An important feature of the
pilot has been to establish dialogue and to share information with the local
communities including fishermen, residents at large and organizations. ast October, the HELCOM Ministers to prioritize and intensify implementation of
HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) conservation goals for the Baltic salmon and sea trout to be met
by 2015. In order to promote and ensure that the recommendations of
BSAP, as well as of the from 2011 would materialize also in Russia, it is important
that specific action takes place in the Gulf of Finland catchment for the
restoration of rivers, such as the Luga.  * Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic
Sea Action Plan (BSAP) in Russia. BASE addresses altogether three priority
areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and
biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to
support and measure the progress within the abovementioned segments are also
being carried out. The pilot projects (See: )
are implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while
the overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St.
Petersburg Public Organization “”.
 he 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:Saija Vuola
Project Manager
HELCOM BASE
Tel: +358 40 668 4657
Skype: helcom48
E-mail: saija.vuola(@)helcom.fi
 Johanna
Laurila
Information Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Development of management plans for Luga River salmon, North-West Russia – having a major impact in preventing the decline of all the Baltic salmon – moves ahead today in St. Petersburg.

​ and (CLIA) have launched a joint information gathering on sewage delivery in the Baltic Sea Region in advance of the 2014 summer season. The survey aims to collect detailed data on sewage delivery needs and available facilities, based on each visit. The two main sources of such information are cruise ships and ports visited by such ships.  The survey is connected to the 2011 International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) designation of the Baltic Sea as a “special area” for passenger ships in terms of MARPOL Annex IV (on sewage from ships) based on a proposal from the region. Less untreated sewage released to the sea would help reduce harmful nutrients polluting the Baltic Sea environment. In the new survey the participating cruise ships are invited to fill in their experiences with port reception facilities (PRF), as well as their own sewage delivery needs, when visiting ports in the Baltic Sea region. Ports are encouraged to provide their observations on the use of their sewage PRFs to supplement the information provided by the cruise industry. According to the IMO decision on sewage from passenger ships, the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea, convening within HELCOM, shall report to IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) once the sewage reception facilities in the Baltic Sea ports fulfill the criteria of adequacy, before the “special area” regulations will take effect on 1.1.2016, at the earliest. In order to assist the process, HELCOM has compiled information on the current status of sewage PRFs and the level of cruise traffic, as well as facilitated dialogue in the region between the different actors involved since 2010. Based on information received from ports and national administrations during last year, HELCOM developed the publication “2013 HELCOM overview of port reception facilities for sewage in the Baltic Sea area and related trends in passenger traffic” which was recently . The ship-specific results of the survey now launched will be used to further develop and update the 2013 overview during the autumn of 2014. * * *Note for editors:National maritime administrations, industry and the civil society cooperate closely within to find joint solutions for cleaner Baltic Sea shipping. During the last decade shipping has steadily increased in the Baltic Sea, reflecting intensifying co-operation and economic prosperity around the region. At the same time, increasing maritime transportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of the many people who depend on the sea. More than 2,000 ships are at sea each day and the amount is predicted to keep growing. Between 2006 and 2010, the number of ships entering or leaving the Baltic Sea via Skaw increased by more than 10%. Passenger ships comprise approximately 11% of the total ship traffic in the Baltic Sea. Some 91 million passengers in international traffic passed through over 50 Baltic Sea ports in 2008.  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:Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 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 survey aims to collect detailed data on sewage delivery needs and available facilities, to pave the way for the IMO ban on sewage in the Baltic Sea.

​Better sewage sludge handling, which would improve phosphorus recycling and reduce its losses to the Baltic marine environment, as well as the monitoring results of phosphogypsum waste handling site in Wiślinka, Poland, have been key items in the of the HELCOM Land-Based Pollution Group (), continuing today in Gdansk, Poland. Since the early 2000s the LAND Group has been meeting yearly, to discuss actions to limit emissions and discharges of nutrients from land-based sources from the Baltic Sea catchment, including transboundary pollution. The Group involves the major regional actors including all coastal governments, EU, HELCOM Observers and other key stakeholders.  he 2013 HELCOM called for sustainable use of nutrients in the Baltic Sea Region. To respond to this call, the Gdansk Meeting 14-16 May is considering the draft HELCOM Recommendation on sewage sludge handling which is being prepared by Germany and Sweden. Waste water treatment sector generates vast amounts of sludge with high nutrient content that could be utilised sustainably with due environmental precautions. Having a set of specific requirements on sewage sludge handling would also respond to the topical issue of nutrient recycling. quot;In normal operation of a waste water treatment plant, the generated sewage sludge contains nutrients, micronutrients and particles that can be utilised on arable land for production of crops. Catching phosphorus from waste water is a sustainable way to save nutrient resources for farming. Sludge can be also utilized for energy recovery. Besides, if phosphorus from sewage sludge is not handled properly or collected for reuse, there is a risk of its leaking to the Baltic Sea”, says Leonid Korovin, Chair of HELCOM LAND Group.  The most recent information on phosphogypsum waste handling site in Wiślinka, Poland, was addressed in the Meeting yesterday. The Meeting welcomed the new plans to divert drainage waters from around the phosphogypsum waste stack back to the production cycle at Fosfory Plant in Gdansk that would reduce potential threat of nutrients leakage into the Baltic. The Meeting also invited Poland to submit the environmental review report in English to the Contracting Parties to ease the follow-up of national information provided at the Meeting. The joint Polish-Finnish samplings in the vicinity of the Wiślinka phosphogypsum dumpsite last year were a follow-up to the implementation of requirements of HELCOM Recommendation “Reduction of Pollution from Discharges into Water, Emissions into the Atmosphere and Phosphogypsum out of the Production of Fertilizers”. ollowing the decision by 2013 Ministerial Meeting to continuously assess potential significant sources of nutrient pollution on land e.g. industries, fur- and fish-farming, and when needed, address them with abatement measures and/or emission limits, the Meeting may consider which sector of industry/source, potentially contributing to nutrient pollution and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, could be screened in a similar detailed manner than handling of phosphogypsum waste from fertilizer industry. Specific focus would be on the environmental performance and application of Best Available Technologies/Best Environmental Practices (BAT/BEP) for reduction of inputs of nutrients, as well as hazardous substances. Other items in the intense agenda of the Meeting will be related to pharmaceuticals, concerning national reporting as well as pilot study in St. Petersburg within the HELCOM-EU BASE Project); process towards development of the regional action plan on marine litter; as well as remaining hot spots in the region, among others. All the documents can be accessed after the Meeting in the Meeting site (). * * *Note for editors: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 contact:Mikhail Durkin Professional Secretary – LAND Group, AGRI/ENV FORUM, FISH/ENV FORUM Tel. +358 46 850 9195 Skype: helcom04 E-mail: mikhail.durkin@helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Better sewage sludge handling as well as the monitoring of waste handling sites have been key items in the ongoing Meeting of the HELCOM Land-Based Pollution Group (LAND).

​Monitoring of radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea is one of the longest-lived, continuous activities of HELCOM, mainly thanks to the Expert Group on Monitoring of Radioactive Substances in the Baltic Sea (), adjourning its 3-day today in Hamburg, Germany. Confidence level of HELCOM data on radioactivity is considered high, since the 28-year-old Expert Group has enabled the long term collection of unbroken data series from all coastal countries which are the Contracting Parties of the Helsinki Convention.  Planning for the next thematic assessment of long-term changes in radioactivity in the Baltic Sea, covering years 2011–13, was the main topic of the Meeting, along with the review of Cs-137 related core indicator as well as several fresh scientific reports by the Contracting Parties and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The region’s first joint efforts concerning radioactivity started in early 1980s by a project under IAEA, while MORS Expert Group had its first meeting shortly before the Chernobyl accident – in 1986. “Generally there is a decreasing trend of concentrations of radionuclides in the Baltic Sea, after the steep rise caused by the Chernobyl accident. However, continuous monitoring of radioactive substances is still relevant due to many reasons, such as new nuclear facilities planned or under construction in several Baltic Sea states; decommissioning of old facilities; plans for storage of radioactive waste; and the fact that the Baltic is still one of the most polluted sea areas as regards radioactive contamination,” says Tarja Ikäheimonen, Chair of HELCOM MORS Expert Group. While radioactive substances occur naturally in the environment there are also man-made radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea, mainly due to nuclear weapon tests in 1950–80 and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986, as well as routine operations of nuclear power plants and research reactors. The latest HELCOM thematic assessment of long-term changes in radioactivity in the Baltic Sea was released last year.  Meeting documents will be available at the Meeting Site ().HELCOM, 2013: Thematic assessment of long-term changes in radioactivity in the Baltic Sea, 2007-2010 () * * *Note for editorsThe 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 contact:Tarja IkäheimonenChair of HELCOM MORS Expert Group STUK – Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Finland Tel: +358 9 7598 8596 E-mail: tarja.ikaheimonen(@)stuk.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Baltic Sea is still one of the most polluted sea areas regarding radioactive contamination. HELCOM MORS Expert Group will focus its next assessment to cover years 2011-13.

The species, habitats and biotopes with the highest risk of extinction in the Baltic Sea will get better protection through a new, up-to-date Recommendation, as agreed by the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial , and the first draft plans are now discussed in the on-going Meeting of the Nature Protection and Biodiversity Group () in Gothenburg, Sweden. The , in its annual 4-day Meeting, also addresses a great number of other issues under the overall goal of the Baltic Sea Action Plan – a favourable status for the Baltic Sea biodiversity. HELCOM Sturgeon Rehabilitation aims to restore viable populations of the sturgeon through concrete conservation actions. Photo: Aimar Rakko/Wildlife EstoniaThe significant HELCOM Projects’ accomplishments last year on Red Lists of , and related will show the way to the EU level within the project “Establishment of a European Red List of Habitats”, which will be discussed in the Meeting. The main aim of the Project is to provide reliable and timely information on the status and trends of biodiversity across Europe, starting by selecting national biotope experts and reviewing the adaptability of the widely used international IUCN criteria. HELCOM will take the lead in the Baltic Sea.  A species already extinct from the region, the Baltic sturgeon, is under rescue through a recent initiative, the HELCOM Sturgeon Rehabilitation . The Group aims to restore viable populations of the sturgeon through concrete conservation actions, first by planning for a large scale project to be launched in 2015. Furthermore, progress on improving and restoring Baltic biodiversity will be inspected from several other angles such as the status of harbour porpoise and seals in the Baltic. Among the other issues in the Meeting agenda is the continued work on marine protected areas (MPAs) to follow up the newly adopted HELCOM Recommendation .The Meeting discussed the renewal of the HELCOM MPA database and the next assessment of ecological coherence of the MPA network. The Meeting will now follow up on the content of the national management plans and their effectiveness. As the HELCOM 2013 Copenhagen Ministerial Meeting also agreed to strive for active and regionally harmonized data collection, the HABITAT Meeting will discuss an initiative to set up a biodiversity data portal. Along with monitoring and indicators, this would greatly support the upcoming biodiversity assessment of the Baltic Sea. The Meeting is chaired by the Vice-Chair of HELCOM HABITAT, Ms. Penina Blankett, Finland.Documents for HELCOM HABITAT 16-2014 can be uploaded after the Meeting from the . * * *Note for editors:, which is one of the HELCOM Working Groups involving all the Baltic coastal states, works to conserve and protect biodiversity, species and habitats of the Baltic Sea. HABITAT promotes the sustainable use of living marine resources and aims to ensure that the environmental protection needs are duly considered in different activities that affect the marine environment, by using tools such as spatial planning and environmental impact assessments. 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:Ulla Li Zweifel Professional Secretary – GEAR, HABITAT & MONAS HELCOM Tel. +358 46 850 9198  Skype: helcom64 E-mail: ullali.zweifel(@)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Species, habitats and biotopes with highest risk of extinction in the agenda of HELCOM Nature Protection and Biodiversity Group Meeting

​For the first time, the joint management plans of the Vistula Lagoon, located between Poland and Russia, is discussed by such a wide array of stakeholders, representing transport, tourism, fisheries management, environmental protection, maritime spatial planning and business sectors.  The 2-day Forum in Kaliningrad, Russia is organized by and projects and brings together Polish, Russian and international stakeholders to agree upon the baseline situation and start the plans. The initiative contributes to the achievement of good environmental status for the Baltic Sea, sustaining a wide range of human, economic and social activities in the region, as an overall goal of Baltic Sea Action Plan istula Lagoon is separated from the Gulf of Gdansk by a long sandy Spit, forming a variety of landscapes. The Lagoon has unique natural features and it provides a shallow-water sink for a large catchment area, making the ecosystem of the Lagoon very sensitive to any human disturbances. The waterbody remains one of 52 HELCOM “hot spots”, as the pollution load being accumulated in the lagoon for years from its vast catchment significantly influences the water quality of the Baltic Sea. quot;There is a strong need to develop a shared comprehensive management plan for the lagoon basin and its watershed by Poland and Russia in order to counteract the water pollution. Better management will reduce concerns also for other environmental aspects, e.g. nature conservation and sustainable use of the lagoon’s resources. Meanwhile, the lagoon is an attractive area for development of various human activities, e.g. shipping, fishery and tourism, which, if environmental limitations are not considered, may compromise sustainable development of the region. By and large, water management issues deserve more attention from the general public, authorities and decision-makers in the region, and this is exactly what the new initiative aims to create,” says Saija Vuola, BASE Project Manager, HELCOM. he Vistula Lagoon and its basin will continue to be the most important area for development within the sub-region. Many local, regional, national, and international bodies and projects are already cooperating on related issues to better jointly manage the Lagoon. However, cooperation has often structured around one specific issue thus missing a more holistic, cross-sectorial approach  * Note for editors: (2012-2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) in Russia.  BASE addresses altogether three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to support and measure the progress within the abovementioned segments are also being carried out. The pilot projects (See: ) are implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while the overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St. Petersburg Public Organization “”.  aims to identify the development potential of the Vistula Lagoon region as well as Polish- Russian socio-economic cooperation. The project will analyse the process of sustainable development on regional level, as well as the natural conditions of the lagoon and the possibilities for socio-economic growth. The project should also answer to questions about the potential forms of Polish-Russian cooperation in this area and define the regional development directions for future he 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:Saija VuolaProject ManagerHELCOM BASETel: +358 40 668 4657 Skype: helcom48E-mail: saija.vuola(@)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

First time for such a wide array of sector representatives to discuss the joint management plans of the Vistula Lagoon, taking place today and tomorrow.

The lack of a joint network to monitor and share data
on Baltic offshore water birds will be among the issues addressed in the HELCOM

meetings in Tallinn, Estonia, this week.
has for long had a high focus on coordinated international environmental
monitoring for the Baltic. The EU co-funded BALSAM aims to enhance the
coordination, as well as fill gaps in the regional monitoring work by strengthening
the capacity of the
Baltic Sea coastal countries in their monitoring of water birds, benthic
habitats, seals and non-indigenous species in ports. “Coordinated
monitoring of the offshore water bird has not been carried out in the Baltic before
and the aim is now to build a platform to start international collaboration to
monitor and share data on the birds. Coordinated efforts in monitoring would help
protect endangered seabirds in the Baltic, such as Steller’s eider and long-tailed
duck”, says Ainars Aunins from the Latvian Fund for Nature, coordinator of the
seabird platform.The BALSAM Project
also contributes to the revision of the HELCOM joint monitoring programme and the
development of the online joint HELCOM Monitoring Manual. The Manual will assist
the EU member states in their reporting for the Marine Strategy Framework
Directive (MSFD) and is expected to be available online in the autumn of 2014. In
the BALSAM Meetings this week, the main focus will be on contributing to the Manual,
discussing the establishment of a platform for water bird monitoring as well as
drafting a manual on benthic habitat monitoring for the Baltic.   “Currently no regular monitoring exists for
Baltic Sea benthic habitats, although habitat mapping has started in many
countries. Our goal is to prepare a manual with recommendations on how to
monitor the habitats in the future” says Georg Martin from the Estonian Marine
Institute.BALSAM
ensures harmonized approaches also in an interregional level, by cooperating
with two other pilot projects in the North Sea (JMP NS/CS) and in the
Mediterranean (IRIS-SES). Further, BALSAM will provide recommendations to enhance
coordinated use of research vessels in the Baltic Sea. The project started on 1
October 2013 and will run until the end of March 2015. (all documents public after the
meeting), 7-8 May
2014, Tallinn, Estonia  * * *Note for editors: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 contact:Johanna KarhuBALSAM Project CoordinatorHELCOM
Tel. +358 406619040
Skype: helcom63E-mail: Johanna Laurila
Information SecretaryHELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail:  

The lack of a joint network to monitor and share data on offshore water birds will be among the issues addressed in the HELCOM BALSAM Project meetings in Tallinn, Estonia, this week.

Seeking for coordination with relevant regional stakeholders and planning the future work based on HELCOM 2013 Ministerial commitments were main topics of the tenth meeting of the Fisheries and Environment Forum () held yesterday in Riga, Latvia. Experts representing national fisheries and environmental authorities from the HELCOM Contracting Parties as well as several observers participated to follow up on the fisheries related actions stemming from the HELCOM 2013 Ministerial Declaration.  The stakeholders taking part in the Meeting included the Baltic Sea Fisheries Forum (BALTFISH), a regional body since 2009 having its base in the regionalisation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Meeting aimed to bring HELCOM and the Baltic Sea Fisheries Forum (BALTFISH) communities together to discuss future plans in order to come up with a mutually supportive agenda. All the countries on the shores of the Baltic Sea have the same objective of reaching a good environmental status through ecosystem-based approach to fisheries.  Key activities for stakeholder cooperation on Baltic Sea fisheries, thus major topics in the Meeting agenda, covered migratory fish species; fisheries management within marine protected areas; need for better data for fisheries for the purpose of integrated assessment of human impacts on marine environment, especially with regards to coastal and recreational fisheries; as well as development of recommendations for sustainable aquaculture in the Baltic Sea Region. More effectiveness will be achieved by mapping activities that are covered – or planned to be covered – in these areas to avoid any possible duplication. Instead the HELCOM’s joint work with fisheries sector enables to join the efforts for reaching of common goals, based on solid scientific knowledge and practical experience.  * * *Note for editors: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 contact:Mikhail Durkin Professional Secretary – LAND Group, AGRI/ENV FORUM, FISH/ENV FORUM Tel. +358 46 850 9195 Skype: helcom04E-mail: mikhail.durkin@helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi ​

Seeking for coordination with relevant regional stakeholders and planning the future work based on HELCOM 2013 Ministerial commitments were main topics in yesterday’s meeting.

​​The 2013 HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme is a step towards cost-efficient water protection, suggests a recent by the University of Helsinki and MTT Agrifood Research Finland. The conclusions state that while there is no need to revise the 2013 targets set for the Baltic Sea catchment, more flexibility for the implementation is required in order to maximise the economic benefits. Furthermore, the cost of reaching the previous nutrient reduction targets, as set in the 2007 Baltic Sea Action Plan, would have been 16% higher although the revised targets are now more ambitious with respect to phosphorus. By adopting the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration last October, the HELCOM members committed to revised nutrient reduction targets for each Baltic coastal country to limit their annual inputs below maximum allowable level in specific sub-basins. The report “” provides ideas to boost the performance of national implementation programmes of HELCOM countries.  The study demonstrates that there is potential for efficiency gains in load  reductions if more flexible mechanisms are put into place, such as joint implementation that could resemble climate change mitigation measures. The cost of meeting the remaining Country Allocated Reduction Targets (CART) – set for waterborne inputs – were roughly estimated to be 1980 million euros (MEUR) annually. According to the report these costs can be reduced by over 200 million, from 1980 to 1700 MEUR each year, if the HELCOM countries were allowed to account for load reduction efforts made in other countries, be reduced by almost 500 million if the HELCOM states, as already introduced in the 2013 commitment, account for nutrient reductions achieved in other than the focal catchments, and take into account the nutrient exchange between Baltic Sea basins.  The study is a follow-up of the and was performed during late 2013 – beginning 2014. The analysis is limited to estimating the costs of nutrient reductions made in waterborne inputs – both point and non-point sources in the catchment area – in the coastal countries. Together they account for 85% of the overall phosphorus input and 68% of the overall nitrogen input to the Baltic Sea. * * *Note for editorsWithin the , each country committed to fulfil particular targets for reducing nutrient pollution, through measures addressing discharges and emissions from land and via air. The updated targets represent the best available knowledge and give guidance to sharing responsibility for reducing nutrient inputs originating from both HELCOM and non-HELCOM countries, as well as from shipping and sources outside the region.  Reduction country-wise nutrient reduction targets as agreed in 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration​ * = figures after ‘+’ refer to loads originating from the country but being discharged to the Sea via another country; additional specific footnotes to the table can be found in the Ministerial Declaration text​* * *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 workin​g 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 contactJohanna Laurila> Information Secretary> HELCOM> Tel: +358 40 523 8988> E-mail: > Skype: helcom70​

The 2013 HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme is a step towards cost-efficient water protection, suggests a recent study by the University of Helsinki and MTT Agrifood Research Finland.

HELCOM work on (MPAs) took a major leap forward as the new Recommendation on coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas was adopted earlier this month (). Protected areas are essential for maintaining healthy biodiversity and ensuring the versatility of ecosystems. The primary reason for creating the new Recommendation is the need to update selection criteria of marine protected areas. Such improved criteria are now possible due to recent major HELCOM work to define at risk of extinction, as well as
threatened by collapse in the Baltic Sea. Another essential feature is that the network of HELCOM MPAs aims to be ecologically coherent, in other words that the collection of sites protects the full range of biodiversity in the region. Moreover, the contents of management plans for the protected areas require urgent attention. The area 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, confirms the HELCOM Overview published last year. The Baltic Sea was one of the first regional seas in the world to reach this target.  However, little progress has been made to include more off-shore areas under the protection regime, and the network of protected areas is not yet ecologically coherent in spite of the HELCOM target set three years ago. The newly adopted Recommendation incorporates all Baltic Sea sub-basins within the 10 % protection coverage target. Further, new management plans are needed: currently, 106 HELCOM MPAs (65% of the total) have a management plan in force; in 42 (26%) sites a plan is still inpreparation; and the rest – 15 out of 163 – have no progress for such a plan. The new Recommendation therefore reiterates that all MPAs should have a management plan by 2015 and that any new site should establish a management plan within five years of its designation.   Moreover, the new Recommendation stipulates that the database for HELCOM MPAs will be modernized to facilitate the reporting and assessment of protected areas. And along with the new Recommendation, a new acronym has also been adopted:  from now on, instead of the former BSPAs (Baltic Sea Protected Areas) the coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas will be known as HELCOM MPAs. * * *Note for editors:, which is one of the HELCOM Working Groups involving all the Baltic coastal states, works to conserve and protect biodiversity, species and habitats of the Baltic Sea. HABITAT promotes the sustainable use of living marine resources and aims to ensure that the environmental protection needs are duly considered in different activities that affect the marine environment, by using tools such as spatial planning and environmental impact assessments. 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 Researcher (PROTECT)HELCOM Tel: +358 40 662 0101 E-mail: janica.borg(@)helcom.fiSkype: helcom57 Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: Skype: helcom70​

New Recommendation on coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas was adopted earlier this month.