Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

The International Maritime Organization () has considered how to carry out exemptions and exceptions to the rules of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) during a meeting closing today. HELCOM has been actively working on regional aspects of the Convention for over a decade.This week’s meeting of the IMO Pollution Prevention and Response sub-committee (PPR) considered various proposals on the subject matter, including the joint HELCOM-OSPAR procedure on exemptions adopted in 2013.In the ensuing discussion, views were expressed that the harmonized procedure on exemptions developed and adopted by HELCOM and OSPAR in 2013 is a good example of regional cooperation on these matters which other regions may use as an example.The IMO sub-committee agreed that further discussion on the relevant regulations (BWMC A-3 and A-4) and Guidelines (G7) was needed with a view to clarifying their application in the context of exceptions and exemptions under the BWM Convention.The meeting finally invited the 68th session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), scheduled to take place 11-15 May 2015 in London, to consider the views expressed and advise on any follow-up actions. * * * 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 Commission was set up by the 1992 OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which unified and updated the 1972 Oslo and 1974 Paris Conventions. It brings together the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, together with the European Community. 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​

Harmonized procedure on exemptions developed and adopted by HELCOM and OSPAR in 2013 is perceived a good example of regional cooperation.

​The hands-on work has now started for the holistic assessment on the ecosystem health of the entire Baltic Sea area, orchestrated by HELCOM for the second time, as the core team that will carry out the project in Helsinki, Finland. The sealed the agreement to prepare such an overarching assessment.  Updating assessment tools as well as pressure and impact indices are parts of the next comprehensive assessment of the Baltic Sea. Photo: Wiesława CielątkowskaAt large, the second holistic assessment will help evaluate progress towards reaching the goals and objectives of HELCOM Baltic Sea Action . It will also be used, for HELCOM countries that are EU member states, as a joint report in the 2018 assessment of the Baltic Sea that is required by the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Starting now will allow for sufficient time to prepare a high quality product for serving to the deadline. The report will follow up the first one from 2010 and as a part of the project, the common existing tools for assessing the pressures on and status of the environment will be updated. Moreover, social and economic analyses of the use of the Baltic Sea will be part of the assessment. Such comprehensive assessments of the Baltic Sea should be conducted ever six years to ensure up-to-date information and a solid basis for decisions on policies and measures. Furthermore, as stated in the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment from 2013, the forthcoming assessment will build on indicators. At present, thirty HELCOM core indicators are close to finalization, most of them being indicators of the state of the environment. The development work is still ongoing and will further shape the work on the second holistic assessment.  * * * The Second holistic assessment on the ecosystem health of the Baltic Sea will:Update HELCOM assessment tools, most prominently for biodiversity, hazardous substances and the Baltic Sea Pressures and Impact indices.>Carry out the assessment based on the Drivers – Pressures – State – Impact – Response framework, by establishing a clear link between human activities and drivers behind them; pressures; impact on the state of the environment as well as on society; and response in terms of measures taken to strive for the good environmental status. Work towards operational assessments, aiming at HELCOM assessments being fully operational and increasingly automated, so that the assessment can be carried out efficiently.  of the core group meeting 16-17 December 2014 * * * 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:Ulla Li Zweifel Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel. +358 46 850 9198 Skype: helcom64 E-mail: ullali.zweifel(at)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi 

Second HELCOM holistic assessment will help evaluate progress of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and also assist in joint reporting for EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive in 2018.

The cooperation between HELCOM and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is expected to smoothen.  For the first time, a dedicated session with the representatives from relevant EUSBSR Priority Areas and Horizontal Actions was successfully organized as a part of this week’s of HELCOM Heads of Delegation representing all the Baltic coastal countries as well as the EU. The full meeting is now available online, listing all the issues addressed and decided on in the meeting for the benefit of the Baltic marine environment.Improving cooperation in practice was the key topic of HELCOM session with representatives from the EU Strategy for the Baltic sea Region. Photo: Dodik Putro.Concrete proposals on why and how to improve the synergies between HELCOM and EUSBSR have been listed in the meeting outcome. The shared goal would be to better communicate the policy directions and needs by HELCOM, which then can be met with and supported by the EUSBSR work and projects. The meeting recommended practical ways for better use of the expertise of HELCOM groups. Using the existing forums, co-chairing, back-to-back meetings, opportunity for involving Russian experts, and helping HELCOM countries in tapping into EU funding were also mentioned as practical solutions for more effective regional cooperation. The timing for the joint HELCOM-EUSBSR meeting was particularly adept, as the HELCOM streamlining process has been completed few months ago while the Action Plan of the EUSBSR is currently under revision, expecting launch at the Strategy’s Annual Forum in mid-June 2015. As per other results of the Heads of Delegation meeting, HELCOM “sub-hot spot” No. 18.1 “Construction of new sewer connections” was deleted, concerning the waste water treatment system of St. Petersburg. A large-scale environmental project for the construction of the northern tunnel collector of the city of five million inhabitants was finalized in October 2013, preventing the discharge of untreated waste water into the Neva River by approximately 122 million m3 per year. Since then, 98.4% of waste water has been estimated as adequately treated in St. Petersburg. HELCOM originally included 162 of the region’s significant sources of pollution, out of which over two thirds have since been mitigated.   Adequate reception for passenger ships was also negotiated by the Meeting, being part of the larger process of complying with the Baltic’s status as a sewage special area as decided by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2011. The consultations for a joint notification on the adequacy of ports’ reception facilities will continue via correspondence early next year. The meeting was held on 9-10 December 2014 and it was chaired by the current Estonian Chair of HELCOM, Mr. Harry Liiv. ..  * * * Note for editorsThe European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region () is the first macro-regional strategy in Europe. It aims at reinforcing cooperation within this large region in order to face several challenges by working together as well as promoting a more balanced development in the area. The Strategy also contributes to major EU policies and reinforces the integration within the area. The (HOD) of HELCOM usually meet few times a year. While the Annual Meeting of HELCOM remains the Commission’s highest decision-making body, the Heads of Delegation have a relatively high authority over most major issues.  The working structure of HELCOM, supported and administered by the Secretariat, comprises of the Helsinki Commission, the Heads of Delegation, and eight main working groups, together with tens of expert groups, correspondence groups and projects. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For more information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

For the first time, a dedicated session with the representatives from relevant EUSBSR areas was organized as a part of this week’s meeting of HELCOM Heads of Delegation.

The national agencies responsible for navigation safety issues in the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea today in Copenhagen to consider and amend draft guidelines for determining ships’ safe under keel clearance in the region. Definitions of a ships safe under keel clearance, or the depth of water where a particular ship should normally operate, is ultimately at the responsibility of the master, even if several shipowners have company policies defining the safe depth of water.

The purpose
of the draft Baltic Sea guidelines is to effectively ensure that a ship
maintains sufficient safe under keel clearance and safe draught during its
whole intended voyage, also in areas with restricted depth. Photo: Maritime
Office in Gdynia.

The purpose of the draft Baltic Sea guidelines under preparation by the HELCOM expert group is to provide the Contracting governments, masters, navigating officers and companies operating in the region with a joint framework, to effectively ensure that a ship maintains sufficient safe under keel clearance and safe draught during its whole intended voyage, also in areas with restricted depth.The draft guidelines on under keel clearance aim to enhance the efficiency of other measures on safety of navigation such as International Maritime Organization (IMO) routeing measures and recent re-surveys of main ship routes by the Hydrographic agencies of the Baltic Sea coastal countries. Based on the outcome, the meeting will decide on further work on the draft document.Since 1970s, several routeing measures in the Baltic Sea, established based on the 1974 Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), have been drafted and discussed within HELCOM, including its experts groups responsible for routeing and safety of navigation.Other issues to be considered by the Meeting include the outcome of the latest HELCOM annual report on ship accidents in the Baltic Sea in 2013, as well as the standing agenda point on recent regional developments around planned and existing IMO routeing measures.The fifth meeting of the HELCOM expert group on safety of navigation () will be chaired by Carsten Glenn Jensen, Denmark.. All documents will be public after the meeting.* * * Note for editorsThe HELCOM on Safety of Navigation is a sub-group of the HELCOM Maritime Group and works to improve the safety of navigation in the Baltic Sea region. It was established in 2011 and follows up the earlier work by the HELCOM expert working group on ship transits (HELCOM EWG TRANSIT (2001-2008).The Working Group of HELCOM, originally established in 1975, identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and ways for safer navigation. It also works to ensure enforcement and harmonized implementation of international shipping regulations. Its sub-groups include the HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Water Management (regional dimensions of implementing the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention), Expert group on safety of , Working group for mutual exchange and deliveries of Automatic Identification System () data, and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (). 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 marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, including operational and accidental pollution from ships, and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Established in 1980, HELCOM is legally 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 ratified by all the coastal countries and the EU. It brings together the governments of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Russian Federation and Sweden as well as the European Union. * * * For more 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.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

Draft guidelines for determining ships’ safe under keel clearance are discussed today by the national agencies responsible for navigation safety issues in the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea.

The new HELCOM is now published as a part of the free
HELCOM data and map , operational
in its current form since 2010 and probably one of the globe’s largest hubs of
compiled regional spatial information on marine environment. With the
Biodiversity map service now open, HELCOM provides free access to some 500 map
layers in total, with maps ranging from biodiversity landscape features to information
of maritime traffic.  he newest addition to the HELCOM map
service are maps on the distribution of and
produced in the HELCOM RED LIST project in 2013. The datasets make the data of
the Species Information and Biotope Information publically available for management purposes, including maritime spatial
planning.

​The newly added Red List datasets provide distribution maps on red-listed biotopes (36), benthic invertebrates (59), fish species (58), bird species (32), and marine mammals (5). The preparation of datasets for online publishing has been supported by a project funded by the European Commission.  According to HELCOM , all data stemming from monitoring and used in assessments is made publicly available. In case of the biodiversity datasets, the datasets are available for view and download from the as well as the thematic . To serve access to open spatial data, all map layers are available through open standard web mapping interfaces (OGC WMS), so the data can be used remotely without downloading and can be embedded in customized web applications.   * * * 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 marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, including operational and accidental pollution from ships and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. * * * For further information, please contact:Joni Kaitaranta Data Administrator HELCOM Tel: +358 46 850 9206 Skype: helcom37 E-mail: joni.kaitaranta(at)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Almost 200 new map layers on the distribution of red-listed species and biotopes further improve HELCOM’s free data and map service, a large hub of spatial information on Baltic marine environment.

The coastal
countries of the Baltic and North Seas, as well as the EU, are reviewing their jointly
agreed procedure for applying and granting exemptions under the IMO Ballast
Water Management Convention, at a starting today in Madrid, Spain.

Practical tests of the port sampling protocol, adopted as part of the Procedure
reviewed today, will help to improve cost-efficiency, scientific reliability and
comparability across regions. Photo: Riikka Puntila

The coastal
countries and EU originally developed the Joint Harmonized Procedure on such
exemptions during 2012–13 within the regional marine protection Commissions,
HELCOM and OSPAR, with active participation from ship owner organizations. The procedure
adopted in 2013 supplements the global exemption guidelines provided by IMO.The
procedure has by today been tested in practice in more than 13 ports in the
Baltic Sea, North Sea, Iberian Atlantic and the Great Lakes of North America. These
practical tests of the port sampling protocol, adopted as part of the Procedure,
will help to improve cost-efficiency, scientific reliability and comparability
across regions.The
sampling protocol is intended for use in ports in the Baltic, North-East
Atlantic and beyond, as the basis of risk assessments required by IMO as a
justification of an exemption.Today’s Meeting
will also consider revisions to the adopted criteria, and current list, of
harmful alien species – also called as “target species”. Defining and selecting
these target species is central for the outcome of risk assessments.This Fifth
Meeting of the joint HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management is
chaired by Mr. Henrik Ramstedt (Sweden) and Mr. Manfred Rolke (Germany), and is
hosted by Puertos del Estado (Spain).. All documents will be public after the meeting * * *
Note for editorsThe Working Group of HELCOM, originally
established in 1975, identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based
pollution and ways for safer navigation. It also works to ensure enforcement
and harmonized implementation of international shipping regulations. Its sub-groups
include the HELCOM-OSPAR on Ballast Water Management (regional dimensions of
implementing the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention), Expert group on
safety of , Working group for mutual exchange
and deliveries of Automatic Identification System () data, and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port
Reception Facilities (). The was set up by the 1992 OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the
Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which unified and updated the
1972 Oslo and 1974 Paris Conventions. It brings together the governments of
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom, together with the European Community. 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 marine environment of the Baltic Sea from and to ensure
safety of navigation in the region. Established in 1980, HELCOM is legally 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
ratified by the governments of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland,
Latvia, Lithuania, Russian Federation and Sweden, as well as the European Union.* * *
For more 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

Criteria of target alien species and procedures for sampling in ports under review in today’s meeting.

​Major revisions of the internationally agreed procedures for marine pollution response in the Baltic Sea region, the HELCOM Response Manual, will be considered at the HELCOM Response Working   in Tallinn, beginning today.  The 3-day Meeting collects ministries and authorities with operational responsibilities on marine pollution preparedness and response in the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea and the EU. It will be chaired by Bernt Stedt, Swedish Coastguard. Changes considered to the
Response Manual this weekinclude a complete overhaul of
the sections on hazardous substances response. Photo: Swedish Coast GuardThe original on marine pollution incidents was adopted in 1983, based on a series of HELCOM Recommendations dealing with international warning, reporting, communication and command systems for the Baltic Sea region developed since the 1970s. These agreed operational procedures and best practices for the Baltic Sea are followed, exercised and revised on a regular basis by the coastal countries and the EU.  Today the Manual consists of three parts: on general issues, such as national contact information, procedures for alarm and requests for international assistance, aerial surveillance and financial aspects of international operations; on spills involving hazardous substances; and on response the shore. Changes considered to the Response Manual this week include the first drafting for a complete overhaul of the sections on hazardous substances response. Response to accidents involving not oil, but one of the many other hazardous substances transported in the region, involve a complex range of measures and procedures. Technological advances, such as instrumentation and new “safe platform” vessel designs, have been rapid during recent years, but also global experience from response incidents has accumulated.  Other parts of the Manual which will be looked at more closely include the procedures in situations where pollution has reached the shore. The international cooperation regarding on-shore response in the Baltic Sea has received recent attention from HELCOM. Last year, the coastal countries and the EU adopted a series of related amendments to the Helsinki Convention, the legal international basis of the HELCOM cooperation, as well as a new section (Volume III) of the Manual targeting on-shore response. The Meeting of the HELCOM Response group will also consider revisions to the minimum requirements and best practices for the aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea region carried out by the coastal countries. Other topics in the Meeting include national reports on recent response operations since the last meeting in January; a draft for a new HELCOM Recommendation on marine pollution incident reporting and requests for assistance; and the report of the HELCOM Balex Delta 2014 operational in Ventspils, Latvia.. All documents will be available after the meeting. * * *Note for editorsHELCOM has been in place since 1976 and works to ensure swift regional to maritime pollution incidents both oil products and other harmful substances. The Group also coordinates aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes, response on the shore, sub-merged hazardous objects. Sub-groups include the Expert working group on response on the , Informal working group on surveillance, oiled wildlife response and Expert group on environmental risks of hazardous objects. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For more information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Major revisions of the internationally agreed procedures for marine pollution response in the Baltic Sea region, the HELCOM Response Manual, will be considered at the Response meeting starting today.

The first
meeting of the HELCOM on
Sustainable Agricultural Practices () has started today in Copenhagen, Denmark. Agricultural sector has been
identified in the Baltic Sea as having important potential for environmental
gains in relation to the nutrient losses and the status of the marine
environment. The Agri group, composed of agriculture and environmental
authorities, will find solutions within this sector on how to reduce nutrient
loads and further contribute to reaching Good Environmental Status of the
Baltic Sea by 2021.>> Upgrading of manure storages is one way to reduce harmful nutrients leaching into the environment. Photo: Helena Rosenlew. >The major
task of the group is to identify and revise the outdated items in the international
which
address prevention of pollution from agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region (Part
2 of the Annex III). The Group is expected to outline the steps to fulfill this
task by 2016 as agreed by the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in 2013. >> >The use of
nutrients in the agricultural sector should be more effective and few key ways
have been identified, such as development of standards for nutrient content in
manure and application of nutrient accounting system at the farm level. Another
key action is the recycling of nitrogen and phosphorus generated at the farms
i.e. for fertilization, instead of nutrient input from external sources.> >>Reducing
the leaching of nutrients to the environment at different stages of the
agricultural production is another major set of measures preventing nutrient
input to the Baltic Sea. This can be done through improving the related
techniques and practices; and by upgrading of manure storages or drainage
systems. Related studies carried out in the region will be presented at the
Meeting. >> >. All documents will be public after the Meeting.>> >* * *>Note for
editors>>The HELCOM
Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices () deals with
agriculture in relation to the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach
and involves representatives from agriculture and environment authorities of
the Baltic Sea countries, as well as EU and HELCOM Observers. The group
provides a platform for agri-environmental policy measures and instruments and
joint discussion on the Baltic agriculture in the context of the protection of
the marine environment, in order to address nutrient inputs and emissions from
agriculture.>> >The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to
as , is an
intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the
European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from
all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region.
Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the
Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly
known as the Helsinki Convention.>> >* * *>For
further information please contact>>Dmitry Frank-KamenetskyProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 630 9933Skype: helcom68E-mail:
dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi>> >Johanna Laurila>Information Secretary>HELCOM>Tel: +358 40 523 8988>Skype:
helcom70>E-mail:
johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Revision of the Annex III of Helsinki Convention continues in the meeting of the new HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Copenhagen, Denmark.

​The current status of reception facilities for sewage, as well as their use, are among the region’s hot shipping topics considered at HELCOM meetings this fall. Key occasions include the annual HELCOM Maritime last week and the HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting, to take place 9-10 December 2014. he national contacts and industry and civil society observers in the maritime field have commented an update of the HELCOM report on current availability and use of sewage reception facilities in the Baltic Sea area. The revised version of the report is currently developed further based on recent information from the cruise industry, ports and national administrations. The 2014 version of the report will be released during spring 2015 inal agreement is yet to be reached when a submission to the IMO meeting is to take place, on the Baltic port reception facilities of sewage. Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Jan EkebomThe last week’s Maritime meeting in Riga, Latvia discussed the current status of the notification submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the sewage port reception facilities. Such a notification is needed in order to enforce the status of the Baltic Sea as a special area in terms of sewage from passenger ships, as agreed at IMO in 2011 inal agreement is yet to be reached when a submission to the IMO meeting is to take place, as three countries still wish to clarify uncertainties regarding the quality of sewage, implications to small ferries or address the reception capacities in specific ports ccording to the Maritime meeting , discussions on the submission to the IMO will continue during the upcoming months within a dedicated correspondence group led by Sweden. Interim outcome of the correspondence will be considered by the HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting in December ther important shipping issues discussed within HELCOM during the autumn and early winter include the coastal state preparations for implementing the new stricter limits to sulphur in bunker fuel to be applied in the Baltic Sea 1.1.2015, summarized in a recent interim ; revision of the list of HELCOM target species to be used in the agreed risk assessment related to exemptions from ballast water management according to the IMO ballast water management convention; strengthening regional cooperation on alternative fuels; updating HELCOM Recommendations on ship-to-ship and bunkering transfer operations; as well as regional guidance on under keel clearance he remaining maritime related HELCOM expert meetings for 2014 include (Ballast Water Management, 1–2 December 2014) and (Safety of Navigation, 3 December 2014 Copenhagen, Denmark) as well as the (Response to spills at sea and on the shore, 25–27 November 2014, Tallinn, Estonia), (sub-group on response to spills on the shore, 24 November 2014, Tallinn, Estonia)  * * Note for editorsThe Group of HELCOM identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and ways for safer navigation. It also works to ensure enforcement and harmonized implementation of international shipping regulations. Sub-groups include HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Water Management, Expert group on safety of , Working group for mutual exchange and deliveries of Automatic Identification System () data, and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (). ELCOM Group works to ensure swift regional response to maritime pollution incidents both oil products and other harmful substances. The Group also coordinates aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes, response on the shore, sub-merged hazardous objects. Sub-groups include Expert working group on response on the , Informal working group on , and Expert group on environmental risks of hazardous objects 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 more information, please contact: Hermanni Backe Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Plannin HELCO Tel:  +358 46 850919 Skype: helcom0 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.f ohanna Lauril Information Secretar HELCO Tel: +358 40 523 898 Skype: helcom7 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The current status of reception facilities for sewage, as well as their use, are among the region’s hot shipping topics considered at HELCOM meetings this fall.

The first of the new HELCOM working on the state of the environment and nature conservation in the Baltic Sea, starting today in Pärnu, Estonia, will formulate a concrete work plan regarding the two key themes of the group: monitoring and assessment as well as nature conservation and biodiversity. The 5-day session will discuss, among others, monitoring of benthic habitats, the production of the holistic assessment of the ecosystem health, as well as the modernization of the database on marine protected areas. Monitoring of benthic habitats could be supported e.g. by remote-sensing methods.  Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Jan Ekebom & Mats Westerbom.The future coordinated monitoring of benthic habitats in the Baltic Sea will be a key topic of the Meeting. The HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment states that monitoring in the Baltic Sea should cater for assessments of quality and quantity of habitats and biotopes. Still, at present the recently published HELCOM Monitoring shows limited monitoring of benthic habitats in the Baltic Sea thus there is room for improvements and new joint initiatives. Different tools for assessing biodiversity is another theme that expecting major attention. HELCOM recently agreed to start a project with the aim of producing a 2nd Holistic Assessment of the Ecosystem Health of the Baltic Sea by 2018. Assessing the state of biodiversity will be an important component of the holistic assessment and principles for such analyses will be considered at the meeting. Moreover, the modernization of the HELCOM database on marine protected areas () will be discussed. HELCOM has hosted data on protected areas since 2006 and improvements regarding the structure and contents of the database have now been considered necessary. The new database will include data to cater the assessments of ecological coherence of MPAs, management plans and the effectiveness of managing MPAs.  The current development work on core indicators will also be reflected on, concerning biodiversity, hazardous substances as well as eutrophication. A major overall aim of the State group is to work across the monitoring-indicators-assessment chain in order to provide a stronger basis for coordinated development of the HELCOM thematic assessment tools.  . Documents will be public after the meeting. * * * Note for editors:The working group on the state of the environment and nature conservation (tentative name: ) will cover monitoring and assessment theme as well as nature conservation and biodiversity protection theme. A major aim of the group is to work across the monitoring-indicators-assessment chain in order to provide a stronger basis for coordinated development of the HELCOM thematic assessment tools and a coherent holistic assessment of the ecosystems health, including Baltic Sea Pressure Index and Impact Index. 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 HELCOM Tel. +358 46 850 9198 Skype: helcom64 E-mail: ullali.zweifel(at)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

First meeting addresses monitoring of benthic habitats, production of the holistic assessment of the ecosystem health, as well as modernization of the database on marine protected areas.