Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

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.

​​​HELCOM has today released a on alien species transported via ships’ ballast water that threaten the sensitive Baltic ecosystem and may also have negative impacts to the economy and human health. The report is the final outcome of HELCOM project (2012–2013) which further tested and proposed improvements to the joint HELCOM-OSPAR sampling protocol, specifying methods and means for spotting marine alien species in ports. The project has also updated the related online port survey database and risk assessment tool, shared with the North-East Atlantic marine environment protection commission , which went live last week.Both the sampling protocol and the online tool were adopted by the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea in 2013, as part of the joint harmonised procedure on granting exemptions for ballast water treatment provisions of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the combined HELCOM and OSPAR marine area.1. Under certain low risk conditions, the BWM Convention Regulation A-4 enables a party to grant exemptions to any requirements to apply ballast water management for ships (regulation B-3) or additional measures (regulation C-1). Whether or not a specific case can be defined as falling under such low risk conditions requires a risk assessmentThe joint harmonised procedure was agreed within HELCOM by the Baltic Sea coastal states and the EU in 2013, and simultaneously also by the OSPAR Contracting Parties. It was a further development of the regional Baltic Sea guidance on such risk assessments for A-4 exemptions, agreed within HELCOM in 2010. style=”color:#6e6e6e;text-align:justify;”>2​ These documents were seen as necessary in order to ensure an efficient and harmonised implementation of the BWM convention in the Baltic SeaThis final report of the project coordinated by the HELCOM Secretariat presents the results of practical trials carried out in the ports of Gothenburg (SWE), Kokkola (FIN), Hamina/Kotka (FIN) and Sköldvik (FIN). Further, the report estimates the work load of the agreed port sampling procedure; describes the work carried out on the joint online decision support tool as well as other activities of the project._________​_____________________________________________________________________________________1 Joint HELCOM/OSPAR Guidelines for the Contracting Parties of OSPAR and HELCOM on the granting of exemptions under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, Regulation A-42​ “Guidance to Baltic application of BWM Convention A-4 Risk Assessments” adopted as part of the HELCOM Ministerial Declaration in Moscow, Russia, 20 May 2010.​* * *Note for editors:Shipping has steadily increased in the Baltic Sea during the last decade, reflecting intensifying co-operation and economic prosperity around the region. On the average, 2,000 ships are at sea every day and by 2017, maritime transport of goods in the region has been estimated to doubleThe Maritime 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 IMOs international shipping regulations in accordance to the 1992 Helsinki Convention.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.HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention, from 1974.* * * For more information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fiMarta RuizProject Researcher HELCOM ALIENS 3Tel.: +358 40 647 2424Skype: helcom59E-mail: marta.ruiz(at)helcom.fi 

HELCOM has released a report on alien species transported via ships’ ballast water that threaten the sensitive Baltic ecosystem and may also have negative impacts to the economy and human health.

​A new HELCOM focusing on the shipping accidents in 2012 in the Baltic Sea area as well as for the longer term data series for 2004–2012 has been published today. >>The annual report compiled by the HELCOM Secretariat is based on the national reports of the 2012 shipping accidents by all HELCOM member countries, including all the Baltic Sea coastal states: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russian Federation and Sweden.  >>According to the reports from the HELCOM members, 149 ship accidents occurred in the Baltic Sea area in 2012 (see table below). The total number of accidents in the Baltic Sea has been slightly increasing in the last three years.>>Table 1. The columns to the right of
the vertical dotted red line in this graph include data from a new
Danish accident database, that is not fully comparable with the data
represented for 2009 and earlier years. However, based on HELCOM
Secretariat comparisons between regional datasets including either old
or new Danish data for the years 2010-2012, the effect on the regional
trend can be considered minor.>Based on the ship movement statistics provided by the regional HELCOM Automated Identification Network (AIS) network, the overall ship traffic in 2012 stayed approximately at the same level as in 2011, an increase from the lower traffic levels in 2009 and 2010. Other findings of the report state that in 2012 there were no reported collisions in the Gulf of Finland and the human element was the main cause of all accidents in the region.> >Annual reports on shipping accidents in the whole Baltic Sea area have been compiled by HELCOM since 2000. According to the agreed procedure all accidents are reported irrespectively if there was pollution or not. >>The compiled information includes accidents which involved tankers over 150 gross tonnage and/or other ships over 400 GT, both in territorial seas or EEZ of the HELCOM Contracting Party. Accident types cover i.a. groundings, collisions (striking or being struck by another ship), contacts with fixed or floating objects, pollution accidents (e.g. during fuel transfer) and other types of accidents like fires and explosions, machinery damage and capsizing. >>>>>>* * *>>Note to Editors:>>The Baltic Sea today is one of the busiest seas in the world. More than 2,000 ships are at sea each day and the amount is predicted to keep growing.>> Although growing traffic is a positive sign of intensified cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and a prospering economy, it also makes potentially polluting shipping accidents more likely. Collisions and groundings have increased, and these days there are some 120-140 shipping accidents in the Baltic Sea area every year. Fortunately, most of the accidents in the Baltic do not cause notable pollution. However, even just one large-scale accident would seriously threaten the marine environment. Two of the five most serious accidents in the Baltic marine area have occurred since 2001, involving “Baltic Carrier” in 2001 (2,700 tons of oil spilt), and “Fu Shan Hai” in 2003 (1,200 tons of oil spilt). >>National maritime administrations, industry and the civil society cooperate closely within to find joint solutions for cleaner Baltic Sea shipping. works to ensure swift national and international response to maritime pollution incidents and that in case of an accident the right equipment is available and routines are in place to respond immediately in cooperation with neighbouring states.>>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

According to the reports from the HELCOM members, 149 ship accidents in total occurred in the Baltic Sea area in 2012, a third year with slight increase for accidents.

New Online Risk Assessment Tool Released for Alien Species Transfers via Ballast Water

An innovative online risk assessment tool for managing alien species transfers via the ballast water of commercial ships has been jointly released by HELCOM and OSPAR. The tool, which goes live today, was adopted by the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea and North-East Atlantic regions as part of the harmonized procedure on granting exemptions from ballast water treatment provisions under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Key Features of the Tool
The tool includes:

• A database with observations of alien species and physical features in ports.
• A list of target alien species.
• A comprehensive catalog of marine and alien species observed in port surveys in the region.
• An agreed-upon risk assessment model.

These features will enable maritime authorities and shipowners to quickly identify shipping routes that may qualify for exemptions under the Ballast Water Management Convention (regulation B-3) and those that pose a high risk of alien species transfer.

Not only does the tool enhance environmental protection by identifying high-risk routes, but it also saves time and resources for both the shipping industry and maritime authorities by streamlining the decision-making process.

Development and Administration

The online tool is jointly administered by the HELCOM and OSPAR Secretariats. It was developed with funding from the HELCOM Aliens 2 project and Germany, with further advancements supported by the Joint Task Group on Ballast Water Management. During a recent seminar on digital tools for regulatory compliance, a guest speaker referenced industries where technological advancements have streamlined complex processes, such as platforms for online Sportwetten ohne Lugas Sperre. These platforms exemplify how innovative systems can operate efficiently within legal frameworks, ensuring user accessibility while maintaining regulatory standards. Similarly, this task group will oversee the implementation of the harmonized procedure and updates to the tool, ensuring it remains effective for managing ballast water and protecting marine ecosystems.

Background and Context
Shipping activity has steadily increased in the Baltic and North Seas over the last decade, reflecting growing cooperation and economic prosperity in the region. On average, 2,000 ships operate daily in the Baltic Sea, with maritime transport of goods in the region expected to double by 2017.

The harmonized procedure adopted by HELCOM and OSPAR supplements and refines the IMO G7 guidelines on granting exemptions under the Ballast Water Management Convention. The tool currently includes port sampling data from select Baltic Sea ports and will be updated with additional data from ongoing port sampling in the North-East Atlantic and Baltic regions.

The Joint Task Group on Ballast Water Exemptions comprises Contracting Parties from both HELCOM and OSPAR Conventions and includes official observers from the shipping and environmental sectors. It reports to the HELCOM Maritime Group and the OSPAR Environmental Impacts of Human Activities (EIHA) Committee.

HELCOM Maritime Group
The Maritime Group of HELCOM identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and ensure safer navigation in the Baltic Sea. It also works to harmonize the enforcement and implementation of IMO’s international shipping regulations in alignment with the 1992 Helsinki Convention.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Hermanni Backer
Professional Secretary, HELCOM
Phone: +358 46 8509199
Skype: helcom02
Email: hermanni.backer@helcom.fi

Dr. Darius Campbell
Executive Secretary, OSPAR Commission
Phone: +44 20 7430 5200
Email: darius.campbell@ospar.org

Estonia has released its for the 2-year of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, also known as Helsinki Commission or , which officially began one week ago. The main components addressed in the new Chairmanship priorities are pollution management; planning, management and marine protected areas; as well as assessment of environmental status and information. The nominated new Chairman is Harry Liiv, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of the Environment of Estonia.  Improved plans in water management and rural development for more effective        nutrient reduction, as well as reducing the impact of hazardous substances are parts of the overall first priority of pollution management.  Moreover, drawing up a joint regional action plan on reducing marine litter in 2015 at the latest, as was agreed by the region’s countries in the 2013 Ministerial Declaration, is listed as a priority.  Other priorities for the next two years include the use, conservation and protection of the Baltic Sea regional coastal and marine areas; further work for well arranged network of marine protected areas; as well as developing of ecosystem based management principles for fish stock and other environmental resources. Monitoring of high standards, reliable data and indicator work form the third pillar of the Estonian priorities, as well as the implementation of HELCOM communication strategy adopted last spring. “I am looking forward to the labour-intensive season of fully putting into practice the plentiful Ministerial commitments from October 2013, in the path of reaching a Baltic Sea in good environmental status. There are important deadlines ahead especially concerning HELCOM monitoring programme and guidelines, as well as the major effort to describe the status of the entire Baltic Sea in the 2nd HELCOM holistic assessment”, says the new HELCOM Chairman, Mr. Harry Liiv.   “In general terms, 2014 is a major year for Estonia with regards to regional cooperation thus providing concrete opportunities for even deeper synergies. In addition to the HELCOM Chairmanship, this month Estonia has assumed the yearly presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea. For the whole calendar year Estonia is leading the Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8), the Baltic Council of Ministers as well as the Baltic Assembly”, says Harry Liiv.   Mr. Harry Liiv has succeeded Ms. Helle Pilsgaard of Denmark, who chaired the Helsinki Commission in 2012–2014. The Chairmanship of HELCOM rotates between the Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union according to the alphabetical order every two years. Mr. Liiv will lead, as the Chairman, the work of HELCOM up until 30 June 2016.  the document HELCOM priorities during the Estonian Chairmanship. * * *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.HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention, from 1974. * * *For further information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail:  Pille RõivasPublic Relations CouncellorMinistry of the Environment of EstoniaTel: +372 626 2811, +372 506 4608E-mail:

Estonian priorities for the 2-year HELCOM Chairmanship also cover pollution management, improving the network of marine protected areas and data reliability, among others.

The Helsinki 1992, the
international legal treaty on the Baltic Sea between the coastal countries of
the Baltic and the EU, was changed yesterday 1 July, according to a decision
taken at the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial
last October. >> >The changes strengthens the
Baltic Sea pollution response cooperation in situations where oil or other
substance has reached the shore.> >>The 2013 HELCOM Ministerial
Meeting adopted this change, or amendment, as part of HELCOM Recommendation “Amendments
to Annex VII ‘Response to Pollution Accidents’ of the 1992 Helsinki Convention,
concerning response on the shore”. The Recommendation specified a formal
consultation period as well as 1 July 2014 as date for entry into force of the
new text of Annex VII.>On-shore response rehearsed in Ventspils, Latvia 11 June 2014 during HELCOM international Balex Delta exercise. Photo: HELCOM > >The 2013 Ministerial Meeting
agreed also on the expansion of the regional HELCOM Response Manual. The new of the Manual focuses especially on response to pollution incidents on
the shore, defining a common approach on how to plan and carry out
international combating operations for response on the shore in the Baltic Sea
region.>> >In contrast to the HELCOM
response cooperation at sea, which has been in place since the 1974 adoption of
the original Helsinki Convention, revised in 1992, such response on the shore
has been less a regional matter.>> >HELCOM has a targeted Expert
Working Group on response on the shore working since 2008 under the HELCOM . The
HELCOM is
currently chaired by Ms. Sonja Dobo, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency.>>>* * *>Note to Editors:>>The
Baltic Sea today is one of the busiest seas in the world. There are about 2,000
ships in the Baltic marine area at any given moment.>>Although
growing traffic is a positive sign of intensified cooperation in the Baltic Sea
region and a prospering economy, it also makes potentially polluting shipping
accidents more likely. Collisions and groundings have increased, and these days
there are some 120-140 shipping accidents in the Baltic Sea area every year.
Fortunately, most of the accidents in the Baltic do not cause notable
pollution. Over the period 2000–2009, an average of 7% of all reported
accidents resulted in some kind of pollution. However, even just one
large-scale accident would seriously threaten the marine environment. Two of
the five most serious accidents in the Baltic marine area have occurred since
2001, involving “Baltic Carrier” in 2001 (2,700 tons of oil spilt), and “Fu
Shan Hai” in 2003 (1,200 tons of oil spilt). >> >
works to ensure swift national and international response to maritime pollution
incidents and that in case of an accident the right equipment is available and
routines are in place to respond immediately in cooperation with neighbouring
states. The Group also coordinates the aerial surveillance of maritime shipping
routes to provide a complete picture of sea-based pollution around the Baltic,
and to help identify suspected polluters. The meetings of the HELCOM RESPONSE
Group have been held regularly among all Baltic Sea countries and EU for over
thirty years.> >>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 Helsinki Convention 1992, the international legal treaty on the Baltic Sea between the coastal countries of the Baltic and the EU, was changed yesterday 1 July.

A made in St. Petersburg, Russia, has found that the waste water
treatment process reduces effectively the amount of micro-sized plastics in
waste water. However, it is also possible that the waste water treatment plants
themselves constitute a point source of microplastic litter into the Baltic Sea
aquatic environment. is a growing concern; it harms the coastal and marine environments
ecologically, economically as well as socially.  Public and scientific interest in microplastic waste in marine
environment has increased considerably in recent years, but relatively little
is known about the sources of these fragments less than 5mm in size. The
EU-funded HELCOM commissioned the study from Helsinki Region Environmental Services
Authority () and the State
Unitary Enterprise “”. HSY has developed a microplastic sampling method targeted at
waste water and now applied in the joint study. One of the results of the research
project is the transfer of knowledge of the procedures and methodology for
studying microplastics in this context. Thanks to this successful cooperation
the Vodokanal of St. Petersburg will be able to continue microplastic research
independently.>>Annual global plastic production keeps increasing, and it is evaluated
that marine litter consists by 60–80 % of plastics, most of it being very small
and called microplastics. The smallest particles are especially problematic because they are very persistent; they
potentially transport harmful substances more efficiently than larger
particles; and they can be ingested actively by small organisms with rapid
metabolism and potentially accumulate in the food web.>>Despite the plastic litter being a growing concern, only
a few studies exist globally about the sources of microplastics, and also the
methods of sampling and analyzing lack standards. >>In the new report, the amount of microplastic was studied by sampling
the wastewater at the beginning of the purification process as well as during
and after the process. Water samples were filtered through different mesh-sized
filters using a specific filter device. 
All samples were inspected under a light microscope and microplastics
were identified and counted. The methodology has been successfully used in a
pilot study at Viikinmäki WWTP (in 2012 and 2013). >>Due to the preliminary status of the research project, the gained results
– the treatment process reducing effectively the amount of micro-sized litter
but a part of it also ending up in the environment – must be seen as indicative.
In order to evaluate the actual role of waste water treatment plants in the
total microplastic load of the marine environment, a more detailed
investigation is needed into the amount and types of microplastic litter in
wastewaters and in natural waters. Furthermore, extensive studies of other
possible sources are needed.  > * * *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 “”. #160;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. #160;* * *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>>Mari
Heinonen>Process
Manager >Helsinki
Region Environmental Services Authority HSY>Tel.
+358 9 1561 3187>E-mail:
mari.heinonen(at)hsy.fi >>

Johanna Laurila
Information Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The results say that the treatment process reduces effectively the amount of micro-sized plastics in waste water while a part of it also ends up in the water environment.

​Less unnecessary ambiguity in international cooperation regarding agriculture, livestock and manure management is now possible, thanks to the newly published translation of a large by HELCOM . Glossary of Terms on livestock and manure management will help to standardize terminology and also assist in international exchange of experience and results, in science, technology and policy frameworks alike. Photo: Harri Huhta / MTT.The Glossary supports in a concrete manner HELCOM’s efforts in joint regional work for sustainable agricultural practices within the entire catchment area. An example of such regional work is agreeing in the to establish national standards, by 2016, for nutrient content in manure.  “Many projects cooperate with Russian experts on agricultural issues. Terminology is sometimes very technical and small nuances can even change the meaning of a concept. We are grateful to the original authors for the permission to translate the Glossary and benefit a wider group of experts”, says Saija Vuola, BASE Project Manager. The translation was made as part of a larger cooperation between HELCOM BASE Project (Implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in Russia) and the State Scientific Institution North-West Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Electrification (SZNIIMESH) of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. SZNIIMESH is preparing a long-term manure management plan for Kaliningrad region as commissioned by BASE.  The Glossary was first compiled in 2003 at the request of Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft (KBTL) and Research Network on Recycling of Agricultural and Industrial Residues in Agriculture (RAMIRAN). The editorial work was conducted by Brian Pain of Creedy Associates, United Kingdom and Harald Menzi of Swiss College of Agriculture (SHL), Switzerland, with assistance from various experts from across Europe.  The is freely available on the RAMIRAN website. The of the Glossary is freely available on the BASE website.  * 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 Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Less ambiguity in international cooperation regarding agriculture, livestock and manure management is now possible, thanks to the new translation of a large glossary in Russian by HELCOM BASE Project.