Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

Comprehensive holistic assessment of the Baltic Sea is to be set off in the 2-day starting today, joined by the Heads of Delegations of from all Baltic coastal countries as well as the EU and representatives of major organizations within the region. The Meeting, held in Helsinki, Finland, is also expected to decide on a new working structure for HELCOM as well as to endorse and discuss several other topics to advance the state of the marine environment.  The Meeting is expected to endorse the project to develop the second HELCOM Holistic Assessment of the Ecosystem Health of the entire Baltic Sea. The need for the next comprehensive assessment has been agreed on by the HELCOM 2013 and the proposed date of final release, taking into account the cycles of other international frameworks and related national consultations, is set for mid-2018.  “This major indicator-based assessment will result in improved knowledge of the status of the marine environment as well pressures and cumulative impacts from human activities. It will also inform decision-makers on effectiveness of the established measures. As in case of the first (2010), the new assessment will be a crucial instrument to follow up on the implementation of HELCOM to achieve a good environmental status of marine waters by 2021”, says Monika Stankiewicz, HELCOM Executive Secretary. Another key item in the agenda is the decision on the format for the HELCOM action , developed under the lead of Germany. Options under consideration include a new HELCOM Recommendation, constituting the so called “soft” law, an amendment to the Helsinki Convention, or a high-level agreement by the coastal countries. Such a plan, expected to be ready by 2015, is another commitment by the regional leaders in the 2013 Ministerial Declaration, and also a priority for the for HELCOM. Its aims is to significantly reduce marine litter by 2025, compared to 2015, and should entail concrete measures for prevention and reduction of marine litter from its main sources; develop common indicators and associated targets related to quantities, composition, sources and pathways of marine litter; and identify the socio-economic and biological impacts of marine litter. The second workshop to prepare the marine litter action plan is taking place in October 2014 in Germany. Other topics of the Meeting include the expected deletion of one site in the so-called HELCOM , itemizing significant regional sources for pollution. If all the members allow, the major sewage collector in St. Petersburg north – Hot Spot No. 18.1 – will be cleared from the list. Moreover, the establishment of a special group for data regarding maritime spatial planning will be addressed by the Meeting. The need for comprehensive, up-to-date and reliable spatial data for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) has been recognized in different fora and HELCOM, having been in the forefront of regional MSP, would have the structures ready to nurture and host such activity.  Major HELCOM delegate meetings take place few times a year, to ensure the continuous identification of any knowledge gaps and to assess other needs and best measures for optimal end use for decision makers in the region. All the will be public after the Meeting has ended in the HELCOM Meeting Portal. * * *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 further information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Heads of Delegations of HELCOM are also expected to decide on a new working structure for HELCOM as well as to endorse several other topics to advance the state of the marine environment.

​HELCOM’s international aerial surveillance operation over the Northern Baltic Sea ended today at 17:00 (CET +2hrs), completed despite thick fog at night time, 27 hours after the start. This year’s Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operation (CEPCO North) was organized by the Estonian Police and Border Guard and no oil spills or other discharges from ships were detected. “The operation involved four specially equipped aircraft from four countries – Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Sweden. More support was provided by three participating vessels as well as through satellite surveillance from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).  The weather conditions had a major effect to the operation due to unpredictable fog, but nevertheless the overall cooperation went smoothly”, says Priit Pajusaar, CEPCO North 2014 coordinator and Police Captain from Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. Such high-intensity operations supplement the regular aerial control operations in the region which aim at creating a realistic picture of the level of compliance to the anti-pollution regulations in the Baltic area. The purpose is also to gather evidence of infringements and, if possible, to catch polluters red handed.  “Pollution surveillance has a substantial preventive effect on the illegal oil discharges. All HELCOM states should ensure sufficient support and funds for surveillance, in order to respect the HELCOM precautionary principle as well as the commitments of the Helsinki Convention through regular pollution control. Moreover, the persistent efforts of the HELCOM Response Group deserve credit for the decreasing trend not only in the number of oil discharges in the Baltic, but also in their volume,” says Harry Liiv,​​ Chair of HELCOM. Source: HELCOM. Click to enlargeSince the timing of the HELCOM CEPCOs is randomly selected, the operation is intense and strictly confidential until the entire operation is over, it reflects the realistic situation of discharges in the Baltic Sea.  CEPCO operations have several objectives, such as to survey continuously high density traffic areas with a high risk of illegal discharges; identify and catch the polluters; practise communication between aircraft, patrol vessels and the Command Centres involved; improve cooperation between countries; and exchange experiences between crews. * * *Note to Editors:HELCOM member states carry out several cross-border surveillance operations annually.  CEPCO flights (Mini CEPCO at least 12 hours; CEPCO at least 24 hours; Super CEPCO several days) contribute to the Baltic Sea marine protection according to HELCOM’s principles. The operation supports national aerial surveillance by detecting polluters who might not be otherwise identified. The intensity of CEPCOs enable a realistic estimation of the total number of oil spills over the Baltic Sea during a randomly selected time. In addition, helicopters, patrol vessels as well as the EMSA CleanSeaNet oil spill detection service enhance the coverage. In 2013, a total of 130 mineral oil spills were detected in the Baltic Sea during aerial surveillance, which is around the same as in the two previous years. The total estimated volume of detected discharges was lower than ever, with 11 m3. Alarmingly, the total hours of aerial surveillance in 2013 in the HELCOM area sank by 15 % from 2012. To reach the Baltic Sea Action Plan objective of no illegal spills in the Baltic Sea by 2021, there is a need for adequate surveillance also in the future by all HELCOM countries and especially as the number of observations of other harmful discharges than oil has increased. The Informal working group on aerial surveillance (), as part of the HELCOM RESPONSE cooperation is responsible for joint aerial surveillance as well as for co-ordination of the satellite based oil spill surveillance and evaluation of its results and operational effectiveness. Download here:  * * *, usually referred to as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), 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. HELCOM is 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:Priit PajusaarPolice Captain, Chief System OperatorPolice and Border Guard BoardBorder Guard Department / Aviation GroupTel: +372 614 9247; +372 5047805E-mail: priit.pajusaar(at)politsei.ee Hermanni BackerProfessional SecretaryMaritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi

HELCOM’s international operation over the Northern Baltic Sea ended today at 17:00hrs – no oil spills or other discharges from ships were detected.

​​​​​A concise of all the finalized findings, data and recommendations is now released, presenting results of the on implementing the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) in Russia. The EU-funded HELCOM wraps up after two years of work, with a focus on three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to support and measure the implementation progress within the abovementioned segments have also been carried out. The print is available at HELCOM Secretariat, and all the , as well as full reports, through the website.  Key outcomes and recommendations:EUTROPHICATION – Agriculture Outcome: The implementation of a manure handling plan for Kaliningrad region will reduce the entry of nutrients into the environment from animal/poultry manure – nitrogen by 20–30% and phosphorus by 15%, which is equal to 1,100 tonnes and 210 tonnes per year, respectively.Recommendation: Use all cattle and poultry manure as organic fertilizers in agriculture in Kaliningrad.EUTROPHICATION – Scattered settlementsOutcome: An estimation of the nutrient inputs from scattered settlements according to their different sizes as per HELCOM recommendations (mainly up to 300 persons and 300-2,000 persons).Recommendation: Establish guidelines on best available solutions and technologies for better waste water treatment of small settlements in Kaliningrad & Leningrad regions  BIODIVERSITY – Marine protected zoneOutcome: The application is ready for submission to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia, with the aim of legal status granted for the extension of the protected zone between Lithuania and Russia. Such an extension will contribute to the ecological coherence of the marine protected areas’ network.Recommendation:  Establish the extension for marine protected zone in Curonian Spit BIODIVERSITY – Luga salmonOutcome: There is a decline observed in wild salmon population in the River Luga. The main reason for the decline of wild salmon is unreported catch, the report states.Recommendation: Support the survival of wild salmon in river Luga, Leningrad region, by establishing an effective management plan HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES – PharmaceuticalsOutcome: The currently employed waste water treatment processes are insufficient for the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and much ends up in the Baltic Sea with a probable negative effect on living organisms.Recommendation: Continue to research the pharmaceuticals in urban waste water treatment. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES – MicroplasticsOutcome: The results of this study show that the WWTPs may operate as a point source of microplastic litter into the aquatic environment. However, the reduction of the microplastic load is also remarkable in scale. Recommendation: Investigate more the amount and types of microplastic litter in waste water of St. Petersburg HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES – Oil terminalOutcome: Explicit recommendations to the authorities in charge are included in the report along with the Environmental Management Plan. Through the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan a 98 % reduction in the present oil discharges to the River Pregolya is expected.Recommendation: Upgrade physical, chemical and biological waste water treatment processes, and install new oil pumping wells along the pier in the Kaliningrad port oil terminal HOT SPOTS – Hot Spots inventoryOutcome: An analysis and conclusions on the different conditions for removing the 12 Russian hot spots examined  from HELCOM’s list.Recommendation: Submit application for removal of three Russian sites from the HELCOM Hot Spot list HOT SPOTS – Vistula lagoon and Curonian lagoonOutcome: Multi-stakeholder transboundary regional meetings gathered together participants respresenting Lithuanian, Polish and Russian authorities, practitioners and researchers to discuss practical problems, results of different studies, possible solutions and directions of joint sustainable use of water resources in the Curonian and Vistula Lagoon regions. Recommendation: Speed up the work among relevant Russian authorities across sectors for developing a plan to improve the environmental status of both of the lagoons in cooperation with Poland and Lithuania. NUTRIENT MONITORING Outcome: Nutrient data of previously unmonitored tributaries of rivers Neva and Pregolya is available in HELCOM Data and Map ServiceRecommendation: Improve data collection concerning the actual nutrient load from point sources in Russian catchment, concerning river Neva and its tributaries; and elaborate a monthly monitoring scheme in Kaliningrad region.The studies confirm that more than a half of the total nutrient load to the Gulf of Finland, about 110 thousand tonnes per year, comes with River Neva. The new results also indicate that the share of St. Petersburg in pollution of River Neva is less than 10 %, and that more than three quarters of the nutrient load via Neva to the Gulf of Finland originates from Lake Ladoga. INDICATORS Outcome: 31 HELCOM-CORESET indicators were analysed by Russian experts in the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland. Tens of Russian experts and consultants were involved in the work,, which has been a major step forward in developing the experts’ network to participate in HELCOM’s activities related to the development and implementation of the indicators.Recommendation: Secure the active participation of Russia in the operationalization of HELCOM core indicators PUBLIC AWARENESSRecommendation: Ensure that the awareness and involvement of the general public is maintained on the necessary actions to restore the good environmental status of the Baltic Sea ​ >>* * *>>

Note for
editors:    (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan
() 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 “Ecology and Business”.​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>>Saija Vuola Project Manager HELCOM BASE Tel: +358 40 668 4657  Skype: helcom48 E-mail: saija.vuola(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel.  +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

A concise summary of all the findings, data and recommendations is now released and available in print, representing results of the 12 components of BASE Project.

First major HELCOM monitoring
project on in Kaliningrad has been completed and the indicate, among others, that several compounds from the eleven HELCOM priority hazardous
substances could be
detected both in water and sediment.  For
example, high levels of a common hygiene product ingredient, nonylphenol, was
found both in Kaliningrad waste canal as well as in leachate water from a major
landfill.   Most of the HELCOM hazardous
substances are not water soluble and therefore attach on solid material and sediment
in aquatic environment. In Kaliningrad, the sedimentation takes place in the
Curonian Lagoon which remarkably reduces discharge of the substances to the
Baltic Sea. Similarly, the hazardous substances leaching from landfills are
bound to the nearby sediments thus not released to the sea.  The data has been obtained within
the EU-funded . The project commissioned the screening of the HELCOM hazardous
substances in Kaliningrad, first time in the main river of Kaliningrad, as part of a larger effort to improve monitoring in Russia’s regions
in the Baltic Sea catchment area. The eleven priority hazardous substances defined by HELCOM are based on
their adverse effects: persistence, bio-accumulation and toxicity. In the study on hazardous compounds in Kaliningrad, water and sediment was sampled in
June 2014 from seven locations along the main river of Kaliningrad, the
Pregolya, and its tributaries that flow into the Curonian Lagoon before
discharging into the main basin of the Baltic Sea. Several groups of HELCOM
hazardous substances, such as organotins, chlorinated alcanes, PFOS- compounds,
and nonyl and octylphenols were not monitored from sediments because of lack of
locally available analytical method.  Another related activity of the
EU-funded HELCOM BASE Project confirms that water and sediment of the Pregolya
River, Kaliningrad, is heavily polluted with oil around the Kaliningrad Port
Oil Terminal, identified as a so-called referring to a regionally significant source of pollution. The delved deeper into the possibilities to minimize pollution from the
site. Explicit recommendations to the authorities in charge are included in the
report along with the Environmental Management Plan. The recommendations list
the construction of new oil recovery wells for removal of oil phase from ground
water surface, as well as upgrading the physical, chemical and biological waste
water treatment processes of the oil terminal. By implementation of the
Environmental Management Plan, 98 % of the present oil discharges to the
Pregolya is estimated to be eliminated.   Screening of HELCOM hazardous substances in water and sediment in Kaliningrad, BASE Project summaryPilot activity to minimize oil pollution to the Pregolya River from the Kaliningrad Port Oil Terminal​,
BASE Project summary   * * *Note for
editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan
() 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 . The Baltic
Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as HELCOM, is an
intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the
European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from
all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region.
Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the
Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly
known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further
information, please contact:Risto ValoBASE
Project ExpertPöyry
Finland OyTel: +358
400 577 548E-mail:
risto.valo(at)poyry.com Johanna
LaurilaInformation
SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358
40 523 8988Skype:
helcom70E-mail:
johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

New results indicate, among others, that several compounds from the eleven HELCOM priority hazardous substances could be detected both in water and sediment.

​​​Polluting nutrient loads entering the Baltic Sea from and regions have been assessed and quantified by the HELCOM . The studies confirm that more than a half of the total nutrient load to the Gulf of Finland, about 110 thousand tonnes per year, comes with River Neva. The new results also indicate that the share of St. Petersburg in pollution of River Neva is less than 10 %, and that more than three quarters of the nutrient load via Neva to the Gulf of Finland originates from Lake Ladoga. Contribution of Kaliningrad region to the nutrient input, excluding transboundary loads, is near 11 thousand tons per year both for nitrogen and phosphorus. All the new data is freely available in the HELCOM Data and Map .  By filling gaps in the nutrient load data from the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland catchment, the EU-funded HELCOM Project has helped to measure Russian progress in achieving the nutrient reduction targets in the HELCOM . The updated country-wise reduction targets were jointly agreed on in October 2013 (see table below), by all HELCOM member countries and the EU, to help reach a Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication by 2021. Monitoring is the basis for the formulation of policies as well as setting of priorities for cost-efficient actions to better protect the Sea. In the Project design, particular attention was paid to previously unmonitored tributaries of River Pregolya, Kaliningrad, and River Neva, Leningrad region. In Neva, the pollution load share originating from Lake Ladoga was more than 75 %. In the same region, the inspected transboundary loads through River Narva showed that over 80 % of nutrients originate from diffuse sources, namely the agriculture sector. Meanwhile in the Kaliningrad region, sampling and analysis covered the 12 tributaries of River Pregolya, the Kaliningrad city waste water discharge canal as well as the Matrovska canal, among others.  he recommendations of the Project state that the state monitoring programme of the Russian Federation should be further developed, suggesting a monthly monitoring scheme in Kaliningrad region and as per River Neva and its tributaries, to improve nutrient load data collection from point sources. Bilateral cooperation is also recommended, to assist in assessing any transboundary loads. otal nutrient load from Leningrad region, Russian territory to the Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Riga(Note: based on four rounds of measurements – not comparable to constant monitoring)* Showing point sources discharging to the actual Gulf and Neva Bay. Data received from the BASE Project’s Russian Partner.** The value shows the sum of the nitrogen fractions, the total load is higher.  ELCOM nutrient reduction targets 2013Country-wise annual nutrient reduction targets for nitrogen and phosphorus per country: * = figures after ‘+’ refer to loads originating from the country but being discharged to the Sea via another country; additional specific footnotes to the above table can be found in the text of the Ministerial Declaration Download reports:  All the new data is freely available in the (Land-Based -> Sources -> BASE Project) * * Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () 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(at)helcom.fi Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi

The studies cover both Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions and confirm that more than a half of the total nutrient load to the Gulf of Finland comes with River Neva.

of the marine and coastal areas of the Curonian Spit national park has been finalized, along with the application ready for submission, with the aim of legal status granted for the extension of the protected zone between Lithuania and Russia. The report details the reasons for such an extension which will contribute to the ecological coherence – crucial for preserving biodiversity and improving the state of species and habitats – of the marine protected areas’ network in the South-Eastern part of the Baltic Sea. The study is a part of final results of HELCOM , supporting implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in Russia.>>>Another significant outcome of the BASE Project has been the involvement of regional and federal authorities, including the Curonian Spit national park authorities in Russia and in Lithuania as well as researchers, in the development of a common approach to establish marine protected areas. All HELCOM member states have agreed to the 2010 target of an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas – while progress towards this target has been insufficient, the coverage of protected areas is considered high at 12 % of the Baltic marine area. > >>The proposed extension area of the protected zone, entailing 12 nautical miles of internal sea waters and territorial sea of the Russian Federation, would provide better protection for red-listed species such as Long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis), Velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca) and Baltic ringed seal (Phoca hispida botnica). Furthermore, within the project component, a number of promotion activities have been carried out in the local communities of Kaliningrad region highlighting the assets of the Curonian Spit marine protected zone. > >>The main goal of the HELCOM marine protected – formerly called Baltic Sea Protected Areas – is to protect valuable marine and coastal habitats in the Baltic Sea, by designating suitable areas which have particular nature values as well as by managing human activities within those areas.>> >Good progress has been made in enlarging the network of marine protected areas: between 2004 and 2013 the protected marine area has increased threefold, from 4 to almost 12 %. The network of these areas continued its growth between 2010 and 2013, while the ecological coherence lags behind the mutually agreed targets. >>>:  >>>> >* * *>Note for editors:>> (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () 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: components) 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 “Ecology and Business”.>> >>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:>>Sergey Kondratienko>Consultant, HELCOM BASE Project>Ecological Monitoring, Management, Audit and Consulting Ltd. – ECOMMAC>Tel. +7 906 2141209>E-mail: svkondrat(at)rambler.ru >>Johanna Laurila>Information Secretary>HELCOM>Tel.  +358 40 523 8988>E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi>

New study of the marine and coastal areas of the Curonian Spit national park has been finalized as a part of final results of HELCOM BASE Project.

of a first-of-its-kind study on pharmaceuticals flows from waste waters in St. Petersburg has been published as part of the findings of HELCOM BASE Project. An estimated load of 400kg of a common anti-inflammatory pain killer ends up via River Neva to the Gulf of Finland annually.  he results clearly indicate that the currently employed waste water treatment processes are insufficient for the anti-inflammatory drug and much ends up in the Baltic Sea with a probable negative effect on living organisms. Therefore an improvement of technology is the first necessary step to take. Consuming less pharmaceuticals or substituting persistent substances with greener more environmentally friendly ones is another goal. he new study also found that the concentration of the pain killer Diclofenac in the out-going waste water was often higher than in unpurified sewage water. This phenomenon can be explained by the liberation of Diclofenac during the waste water treatment process. Similar observations have been made at a number of other waste water treatment plants elsewhere in the world. lso a common synthetic hormone (Ethinylestradiol, EE2) was studied. Concluding from pharmaceutical sales statistics and population analysis of St. Petersburg, the amount of EE2 excreted into the sewage system did not exceed 315 g per year which means that the concentration of the hormone in purified waste water was not significant. ithin the study, naturally produced human estrogen E1 was found in raw sewage and, based on the results of the chemical analysis, approximately 40 kg of E1 is excreted annually. In the effluent, E1 was detected in only three out of 31 samples; the average concentration in the effluent was therefore judged to be below the detection limit of 10 ng/L.  Pharmaceuticals and their harmful effects in waterways are a growing concern and only recently, the elevated concentrations have been measured in the marine environment, and also in the Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea is especially sensitive since it is the final basin of the pharmaceuticals residues consumed by more than 80 million people. The BASE Project component to identify sources and flow patterns of pharmaceuticals in St. Petersburg to the Baltic Sea focused on three substances: a common synthetic hormone and a natural hormone, as well as the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac. All of them are included in European Union’s pharmaceuticals monitoring watch list, from 2013. The sampling series were carried out at St. Petersburg’s Central, Northern and South-Western treatment plants. The EU-funded HELCOM Project on Implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in Russia (BASE) has cooperated on these previously unstudied concerns with the State Unitary Enterprise Vodokanal of St. Petersburg.  * * *Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () 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: components) 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 “Ecology and Business”. 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 contactVladimir NikiforovScientific Research Center for Ecological SafetyRussian Academy of SciencesTel. +7 921 9354408E-mail: vovanikiforov(at)yahoo.co.uk Niina VienoEnvieno KyTel. +358 50 544 8431E-mail: niina.vieno(at)envieno.com Johanna LaurilaInformation Secretary, HELCOMTel.  +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The final report of a first-of-its-kind study on pharmaceuticals flows from waste waters in St. Petersburg has been published as part of the findings of HELCOM BASE Project.

All the processed animal and poultry manure in Russia’s Kaliningrad Region could be used as an organic fertilizer in the region, a by HELCOM concludes. Even if the animal or poultry stock would grow significantly, the produced manure will be in high demand as there is currently a shortage of organic fertilizers in the region. The report prepares for a long-term manure management plan which is ready for submission to the Ministry of Agriculture. he study was motivated by the need to identify measures for reducing the flow of nutrients into the Baltic Sea. Experts estimate that the implementation of a manure handling plan for Kaliningrad Region will reduce the entry of nutrients into the environment from animal/poultry manure – nitrogen by 20–30% and phosphorus by 15%, which is equal to 1,100 tonnes and 210 tonnes per year, respectively. The pilot activity under BASE Project was conducted by the State Scientific Institution North-West Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Electrification () of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences with the support of . urthermore, the study identified several necessary measures to secure that the production of organic fertilizer from manure is both profitable and environmentally sustainable, to assist in the adoption and implementation of the manure management plan. For assisting each individual farm to choose the most appropriate technology, the farmers and stakeholders should use the on-line database of technologies, machines and equipment for manure processing at . Decision-makers should take advantage of the decision-making guidelines developed based on nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) balance calculation, on farm level as well as on regional level. Various decoupled subsidies should be used in order to support the production of organic fertilizer.  he results of the study have been submitted to the Kaliningrad Ministry of Agriculture. * * *Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () 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: components) 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 “Ecology and Business”.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 contactAleksandr Briukhanov (in Russian only)The State Scientific Institution North-West Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Electrification (SZNIIMESH) of the Russian Academy of Agricultural SciencesTel. +7 921 653 5133E-mail: sznii(at)yandex.ru Harri HuhtaMTT Agrifood Research FinlandTel. +358 40 522 7785E-mail: harri.huhta(at)mtt.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation Secretary, HELCOMTel.  +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Less polluting nutrients to the Baltic Sea is the goal of a proposed manure management plan to the Ministry of Agriculture in Kaliningrad, produced by the HELCOM BASE Project.

​The River Luga is
the only river in the Russian part of the Baltic Sea in which naturally wild
salmon reproduce. According to a report published today by HELCOM BASE Project,
there is a decline observed in wild salmon population in the River Luga. The main reason for the decline of wild salmon is
unreported catch, the report states. Unreported catch is mainly occurring in
the lower courses of the river and close to major settlements. ‘Unreported
fishing’ includes illegal fishing (poaching) and overfishing for the needs of
the Luga h​atchery. Poaching and concealing catches by professional fishermen is
encouraged by the high market price of salmon and the lack of sufficient control
by law enforcement authorities. In
order to maintain and restore the small population of wild salmon in the River
Luga a management plan must be developed with strong involvement of all
responsible authorities.Photo Sergey Titov &
GosNIORKhRiver Luga was
identified as a key river by (2010) which looked at salmon population habitats in rivers
flowing to the Baltic Sea. Identifying habitats and drawing up management plans
in order to conserve threatened wild salmon population is one of the measures
all Baltic Sea countries have agreed to in
(BSAP) of 2007. The activities in the HELCOM BASE Project support Russia in
fulfilling the commitments made under the BSAP.The report on ‘’ was
completed in the framework of under
.—————-Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic
Sea Action Plan () 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: components) 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 “Ecology and
Business”.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:Marta PlichtaProject
ResearcherHELCOM BASETel: +358 40
669 3090 Skype: helcom55E-mail:
marta.plichta(at)helcom.fi

​Sergey RezvyiBASE Pilot project coordinatorBaltic Fund for Naturetel: +7 812 328-9620E-mail: sergey_rezvyi (at)bfn.org.ru

In order to restore the wild salmon population in the River Luga a management plan must be developed with strong involvement of all responsible authorities.

​​​ on the current status of significant sources of pollution to the Baltic Sea in Russia, or ‘hot spots’, has been released by the HELCOM BASE project. Out of the twelve remaining Russian sites identified in the Baltic Sea catchment, one third could be removed from the original list as the necessary measures to meet the requirements have been introduced. Six hot spots are either implementing or planning for improvements, the study concludes, while two sites remain with lower levels of mitigation efforts. Since the report was written, further progress has been made. Russia submitted a proposal to HELCOM to delete Sub-Hot Spot No. 18.1 “Construction of new sewer connections” (Saint-Petersburg). complements the final outcome of HELCOM’s Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme (JCP, 1992–2013), created as large international environmental management framework to reduce pollution loads into the Baltic Sea. Identifying and cleaning up pollution hot spots has been an important part of this work. Originally 17 exclusively Russian sites were in the hot spot list, having in total 162 sites covering the whole region mainly from industrial and municipal, but also diffuse sources such as agricultural areas (see map).According to the new report, among the most progressed former hot spots is the municipal sewage treatment in St. Petersburg, reaching a nearly 98% of urban sewage water treatment. In addition, the environmental hazards from three pulp and paper producers in Kaliningrad region have reduced significantly. Municipal waste water treatment in Kaliningrad remains a serious concern.The challenge of mitigating pollution from agriculture shows also positive signs, according to the study.  Livestock farming in Leningrad region is a well-developed economic sector whose share in the gross regional product has increased in recent years. The predominance of a large-scale commercial production sector coupled with a high degree of poor storage facilities for storing manure exacerbates the problem of excessive harmful inputs to the Baltic Sea. The expected introduction of technological regulations will result in a significant decrease of nutrient load and the ultimate removal of the region’s agricultural sector from HELCOM’s list of hot spotsSince the original framework of HELCOM hot spots has reached its official end, the remaining work to tackle pollution sites has been incorporated to the regular HELCOM work more flexibly. The dedicated group () is prepared to address any issue when needs arise, covering the Baltic Sea region as agreed by all the Contracting Parties to the Helsinki Convention: all the coastal Baltic states and the European Union.   * *Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () 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: components) 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 “Ecology and Business”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:Marta PlichtProject ResearcheHELCOM BASTel: +358 40 669 3090Skype: helcom5E-mail: marta.plichta(at)helcom.fJohanna LaurilInformation SecretarHELCOTel: +358 40 523 898Skype: helcom7E-mail: Johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

A report on the current status of ‘hot spots’ in Russia, released by the HELCOM BASE project, shows that reductions have been made.