Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

​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.

​Future implementation of the European Union (EU) Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in the Baltic Sea region as well as exchange of MSP data are among the main topics of the of the MSP of Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission () and Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (), closing today in Riga, Latvia. The EU member states of the Baltic Sea region will soon face the implementation of the MSP Directive after its final adoption by the Council of the European Union, anticipated to take place on 23 July 2014. The joint HELCOM-VASAB MSP Working Group, active since 2010, is ready to ensure the regional coherence of such implementation activities.  Efficient exchange of geographical data is a prerequisite of regionally coherent implementation of the EU Directive as well as the regional commitments agreed within HELCOM and VASAB. Today’s Meeting suggests a regional correspondence group on MSP data to support the updating and creation of regional datasets for MSP.  * * *Note for editors:According to the United Nations, maritime spatial planning (MSP) is “a public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives that usually have been specified through a political process.”  HELCOM has for years been in the forefront of MSP in the Baltic Sea and within the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, HELCOM leads with VASAB the Horizontal Action: Spatial Planning (full title: Encouraging the use of Maritime and Land-based Spatial Planning in all Member States around the Baltic Sea and develop a common approach for cross-border cooperation). HELCOM Ministerial Meeting adopted last year the .  * * *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 of Maritime, Response, and Maritime spatial planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer@helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi

Future implementation of the EU Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in the Baltic Sea region as well as exchange of MSP data are among the main topics in HELCOM-VASAB Meeting.

​Sixteen oil response vessels from seven Baltic Sea coastal countries and institutions participated in HELCOM’s international response exercise ‘ 2014’ yesterday in Ventspils, Latvia. The annual exercise, carried out 25 years in a row, is of vital importance to keep up and improve skills on joint prevention of major damage from oil spills in the sea as well as on the shore of the HELCOM Contracting Parties, consisting of all the nine coastal Baltic States and the EU. Photo: HELCOMThe participating vessels, divided into four teams under the lead of the superior on scene commander Lt Sg Nauris Lakševics on-board the Latvian vessel “Varonis”, exercised laying out booms, operational formations, communication and other operational tasks at sea off the town of Ventspils. At the same time an exercise on the shore took place to rehearse response in a situation when the oil has reached the shore. The operations were carried out in mild wind and wave conditions but visibility was at times limited due to dense fog in the area. Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden contributed to the exercise this year along with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) representing the European Union. The exercise scenario stated that the collision between tanker and fishing boat had occurred in the Baltic Sea, northwards Ventspils port. Due to this accident about 10,000 tons of oil was spilt in the sea causing an environmental disaster. The scenario also states that ships won’t be able to collect all oil and some of it will wash ashore, thus participants of the exercise will be forced to test the oil spill readiness along the coastline, including saving the birds. The Exercise ‘Balex Delta’ has been organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia in cooperation with HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) and the Latvian Naval Force Flotilla. More than 30 observers from several international organizations and countries outside the region also participated. Today Thursday 12 June, the general public can observe the traditional rowing competition of the HELCOM fleet, and in the afternoon the ships have open doors for public. * * * 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:Laura MazmacaState Environmental Service of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional DevelopmentRiga, LatviaTel: +371 67408166E-mail: laura.mazmaca(at)vvd.gov.lv 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

Sixteen oil response vessels from seven Baltic Sea coastal countries and institutions participated in HELCOM’s international response exercise in Latvia.

​HELCOM’s international response exercise ‘Balex Delta’ will be held on 10-12 June in Latvian territorial waters. Ten oil response vessels from eight Baltic Sea coastal countries and institutions will participate in the operation, allowing to test Baltic coordination and cooperation in a highly operational level, as well as improve skills on joint prevention of major damage from oil spills in the sea as well as on the shore.Balex Delta 2012. Photo: SYKE / Kati Tahvonen.Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden will contribute to the annual exercise along with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) representing European Union. The general aim of the exercise is to test the alarm procedure, as well as the response capability and capacity of the HELCOM Contracting Parties, consisting of all the nine coastal Baltic States and the EU. The exercise scenario states that the collision between tanker and fishing boat has occurred in the Baltic Sea, northwards Ventspils port. Due to this accident about 10,000 tons of oil have spilt in the sea causing an environmental disaster. The scenario also states that ships won’t be able to collect all oil and some of it will wash ashore, thus participants of the exercise will be forced to test the oil spill readiness along the coastline, including saving the birds. Exercise ‘Balex Delta’ is organized by the Ministry of Environment of Latvia in cooperation with HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) and the Latvian Naval Force Flotilla. More than 30 observers from several international organizations are also expected to participate. On Thursday 12 June, the general public can observe the traditional rowing competition of the HELCOM fleet, and in the afternoon the ships have open doors for public. Note for mass media representativesOn June 11 the Media Day of the exercise ‘Balex Delta’ will be held in Ventspils. For further information, please contact the Media Relations Section of the Ministry of Defence at:  * * * The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For further information, please contact:Laura MazmacaState Environmental Service of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional DevelopmentRiga, LatviaTel: +371 67408166E-mail: laura.mazmaca(at)vvd.gov.lv 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

HELCOM’s international response exercise ‘Balex Delta’ will be held on 10-12 June in Latvian territorial waters.

​The first HELCOM marine litter workshop begins today by discussing on the best way forward to develop Regional Action Plan for the Baltic, as litter dominated by plastics of all sizes is a rapidly growing concern at sea and shores alike. The Regional Action Plan on marine litter will fulfil the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial commitment, expecting adoption in 2015, with the aim of achieving a significant reduction of marine litter by 2025 and to prevent harm to the coastal and marine environment.  Consumer behaviour is considered as the most important reason for marine litter in the Baltic Sea, indicate recent studies by e.g. by the and . Moreover, as much as 48 per cent of marine litter originates from household‐related waste, including sanitary waste, while waste generated by recreational or tourism activities would add up to 33 per cent. The urgent need of a comprehensive action plan to address the issue is further supported by the Marlin study results stating that, in average, close to 240 items of litter were detected per every 100 meters in urban beaches of Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Sweden. Plastic never biodegrades, but with the sunlight it splits into smaller pieces – also into tiny microplastics that are ingested by a few marine species thus entering the food chain. Following the thematic session on marine litter that took place last month in Oslo as part of the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Group () the 2-day HELCOM workshop will focus on the development of the structure of the Regional Action Plan. Measures to reduce the input of marine litter to the Baltic Sea area will be discussed, both from land based and sea based sources, also giving space to education and outreach measures. This is the first of the two workshops on marine litter aiming to draft the Regional Action Plan on marine litter, the second one taking place in October, in Germany.  he workshop will be led by Ms. Stefanie Werner, Federal Environment Agency, Germany.  (documents will
be public after the meeting ends)* * *Note for editors:The Monitoring and Assessment Group () looks after one of HELCOM’s key tasks by assessing trends in threats to the marine environment, their impacts, the resulting state of the marine environment, and the effectiveness of adopted measures. This work forms the basis for the work of HELCOM’s other main groups, and helps to define the need for additional measures. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. For more information, please contact:Ulla Li Zweifel Professional Secretary – GEAR, HABITAT & MONASHELCOM Tel. +358 46 850 9198  Skype: helcom64E-mail: ullali.zweifel(@)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

HELCOM starts to develop a Regional Action Plan on marine litter, as litter dominated by plastics of all sizes is a rapidly growing concern at sea and shores alike.

Sustaining
the wild salmon population in Luga River, North-West Russia – having a significant impact in
preventing the decline of all the Baltic salmon – would be possible with better
management plan, developed further today in St. Petersburg, Russia. Respective
national authorities, experts
from the research community
and other local stakeholders are actively involved in weighing in possible scenarios based
on the fresh   of one of the pilots of the HELCOM BASE project. The protection efforts in Luga will feed into
the implementation of 2013 Ministerial commitments to further pursue conservation
goals for the Baltic salmon and sea trout. The Luga River has key importance since it is one of the few
remaining wild salmon rivers that runs into the Gulf of Finland ; besides it is
free of migration barriers for ascending salmon, hence allowing the fish to
reach the reproduction areas of the river. The Luga has recently been listed as
one of the priority rivers in need of conservation and restoration measures by (based on the outcome of ) and had also been listed previously as a priority salmon
river by the former International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC). An inventory of wild salmon and sea trout populations in
Luga River has been a key activity of the biodiversity
of the EU-funded BASE Project, carried out since May last year.  The main factors affecting the populations
include poaching, polluted spawning grounds, as well as intensive port
construction in the estuarine area of Luga River. An important feature of the
pilot has been to establish dialogue and to share information with the local
communities including fishermen, residents at large and organizations. ast October, the HELCOM Ministers to prioritize and intensify implementation of
HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) conservation goals for the Baltic salmon and sea trout to be met
by 2015. In order to promote and ensure that the recommendations of
BSAP, as well as of the from 2011 would materialize also in Russia, it is important
that specific action takes place in the Gulf of Finland catchment for the
restoration of rivers, such as the Luga.  * Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic
Sea Action Plan (BSAP) in Russia. BASE addresses altogether three priority
areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and
biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to
support and measure the progress within the abovementioned segments are also
being carried out. The pilot projects (See: )
are implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while
the overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St.
Petersburg Public Organization “”.
 he Baltic
Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental
organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union
working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of
pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM
has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine
Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki
Convention. * * *For
further information, please contact:Saija Vuola
Project Manager
HELCOM BASE
Tel: +358 40 668 4657
Skype: helcom48
E-mail: saija.vuola(@)helcom.fi
 Johanna
Laurila
Information Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

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

​ and (CLIA) have launched a joint information gathering on sewage delivery in the Baltic Sea Region in advance of the 2014 summer season. The survey aims to collect detailed data on sewage delivery needs and available facilities, based on each visit. The two main sources of such information are cruise ships and ports visited by such ships.  The survey is connected to the 2011 International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) designation of the Baltic Sea as a “special area” for passenger ships in terms of MARPOL Annex IV (on sewage from ships) based on a proposal from the region. Less untreated sewage released to the sea would help reduce harmful nutrients polluting the Baltic Sea environment. In the new survey the participating cruise ships are invited to fill in their experiences with port reception facilities (PRF), as well as their own sewage delivery needs, when visiting ports in the Baltic Sea region. Ports are encouraged to provide their observations on the use of their sewage PRFs to supplement the information provided by the cruise industry. According to the IMO decision on sewage from passenger ships, the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea, convening within HELCOM, shall report to IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) once the sewage reception facilities in the Baltic Sea ports fulfill the criteria of adequacy, before the “special area” regulations will take effect on 1.1.2016, at the earliest. In order to assist the process, HELCOM has compiled information on the current status of sewage PRFs and the level of cruise traffic, as well as facilitated dialogue in the region between the different actors involved since 2010. Based on information received from ports and national administrations during last year, HELCOM developed the publication “2013 HELCOM overview of port reception facilities for sewage in the Baltic Sea area and related trends in passenger traffic” which was recently . The ship-specific results of the survey now launched will be used to further develop and update the 2013 overview during the autumn of 2014. * * *Note for editors:National maritime administrations, industry and the civil society cooperate closely within to find joint solutions for cleaner Baltic Sea shipping. During the last decade shipping has steadily increased in the Baltic Sea, reflecting intensifying co-operation and economic prosperity around the region. At the same time, increasing maritime transportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of the many people who depend on the sea. More than 2,000 ships are at sea each day and the amount is predicted to keep growing. Between 2006 and 2010, the number of ships entering or leaving the Baltic Sea via Skaw increased by more than 10%. Passenger ships comprise approximately 11% of the total ship traffic in the Baltic Sea. Some 91 million passengers in international traffic passed through over 50 Baltic Sea ports in 2008.  The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For further information, please contact:Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The survey aims to collect detailed data on sewage delivery needs and available facilities, to pave the way for the IMO ban on sewage in the Baltic Sea.

​Monitoring of radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea is one of the longest-lived, continuous activities of HELCOM, mainly thanks to the Expert Group on Monitoring of Radioactive Substances in the Baltic Sea (), adjourning its 3-day today in Hamburg, Germany. Confidence level of HELCOM data on radioactivity is considered high, since the 28-year-old Expert Group has enabled the long term collection of unbroken data series from all coastal countries which are the Contracting Parties of the Helsinki Convention.  Planning for the next thematic assessment of long-term changes in radioactivity in the Baltic Sea, covering years 2011–13, was the main topic of the Meeting, along with the review of Cs-137 related core indicator as well as several fresh scientific reports by the Contracting Parties and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The region’s first joint efforts concerning radioactivity started in early 1980s by a project under IAEA, while MORS Expert Group had its first meeting shortly before the Chernobyl accident – in 1986. “Generally there is a decreasing trend of concentrations of radionuclides in the Baltic Sea, after the steep rise caused by the Chernobyl accident. However, continuous monitoring of radioactive substances is still relevant due to many reasons, such as new nuclear facilities planned or under construction in several Baltic Sea states; decommissioning of old facilities; plans for storage of radioactive waste; and the fact that the Baltic is still one of the most polluted sea areas as regards radioactive contamination,” says Tarja Ikäheimonen, Chair of HELCOM MORS Expert Group. While radioactive substances occur naturally in the environment there are also man-made radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea, mainly due to nuclear weapon tests in 1950–80 and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986, as well as routine operations of nuclear power plants and research reactors. The latest HELCOM thematic assessment of long-term changes in radioactivity in the Baltic Sea was released last year.  Meeting documents will be available at the Meeting Site ().HELCOM, 2013: Thematic assessment of long-term changes in radioactivity in the Baltic Sea, 2007-2010 () * * *Note for editorsThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Tarja IkäheimonenChair of HELCOM MORS Expert Group STUK – Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Finland Tel: +358 9 7598 8596 E-mail: tarja.ikaheimonen(@)stuk.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

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

​Better sewage sludge handling, which would improve phosphorus recycling and reduce its losses to the Baltic marine environment, as well as the monitoring results of phosphogypsum waste handling site in Wiślinka, Poland, have been key items in the of the HELCOM Land-Based Pollution Group (), continuing today in Gdansk, Poland. Since the early 2000s the LAND Group has been meeting yearly, to discuss actions to limit emissions and discharges of nutrients from land-based sources from the Baltic Sea catchment, including transboundary pollution. The Group involves the major regional actors including all coastal governments, EU, HELCOM Observers and other key stakeholders.  he 2013 HELCOM called for sustainable use of nutrients in the Baltic Sea Region. To respond to this call, the Gdansk Meeting 14-16 May is considering the draft HELCOM Recommendation on sewage sludge handling which is being prepared by Germany and Sweden. Waste water treatment sector generates vast amounts of sludge with high nutrient content that could be utilised sustainably with due environmental precautions. Having a set of specific requirements on sewage sludge handling would also respond to the topical issue of nutrient recycling. quot;In normal operation of a waste water treatment plant, the generated sewage sludge contains nutrients, micronutrients and particles that can be utilised on arable land for production of crops. Catching phosphorus from waste water is a sustainable way to save nutrient resources for farming. Sludge can be also utilized for energy recovery. Besides, if phosphorus from sewage sludge is not handled properly or collected for reuse, there is a risk of its leaking to the Baltic Sea”, says Leonid Korovin, Chair of HELCOM LAND Group.  The most recent information on phosphogypsum waste handling site in Wiślinka, Poland, was addressed in the Meeting yesterday. The Meeting welcomed the new plans to divert drainage waters from around the phosphogypsum waste stack back to the production cycle at Fosfory Plant in Gdansk that would reduce potential threat of nutrients leakage into the Baltic. The Meeting also invited Poland to submit the environmental review report in English to the Contracting Parties to ease the follow-up of national information provided at the Meeting. The joint Polish-Finnish samplings in the vicinity of the Wiślinka phosphogypsum dumpsite last year were a follow-up to the implementation of requirements of HELCOM Recommendation “Reduction of Pollution from Discharges into Water, Emissions into the Atmosphere and Phosphogypsum out of the Production of Fertilizers”. ollowing the decision by 2013 Ministerial Meeting to continuously assess potential significant sources of nutrient pollution on land e.g. industries, fur- and fish-farming, and when needed, address them with abatement measures and/or emission limits, the Meeting may consider which sector of industry/source, potentially contributing to nutrient pollution and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, could be screened in a similar detailed manner than handling of phosphogypsum waste from fertilizer industry. Specific focus would be on the environmental performance and application of Best Available Technologies/Best Environmental Practices (BAT/BEP) for reduction of inputs of nutrients, as well as hazardous substances. Other items in the intense agenda of the Meeting will be related to pharmaceuticals, concerning national reporting as well as pilot study in St. Petersburg within the HELCOM-EU BASE Project); process towards development of the regional action plan on marine litter; as well as remaining hot spots in the region, among others. All the documents can be accessed after the Meeting in the Meeting site (). * * *Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Mikhail Durkin Professional Secretary – LAND Group, AGRI/ENV FORUM, FISH/ENV FORUM Tel. +358 46 850 9195 Skype: helcom04 E-mail: mikhail.durkin@helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

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

The species, habitats and biotopes with the highest risk of extinction in the Baltic Sea will get better protection through a new, up-to-date Recommendation, as agreed by the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial , and the first draft plans are now discussed in the on-going Meeting of the Nature Protection and Biodiversity Group () in Gothenburg, Sweden. The , in its annual 4-day Meeting, also addresses a great number of other issues under the overall goal of the Baltic Sea Action Plan – a favourable status for the Baltic Sea biodiversity. HELCOM Sturgeon Rehabilitation aims to restore viable populations of the sturgeon through concrete conservation actions. Photo: Aimar Rakko/Wildlife EstoniaThe significant HELCOM Projects’ accomplishments last year on Red Lists of , and related will show the way to the EU level within the project “Establishment of a European Red List of Habitats”, which will be discussed in the Meeting. The main aim of the Project is to provide reliable and timely information on the status and trends of biodiversity across Europe, starting by selecting national biotope experts and reviewing the adaptability of the widely used international IUCN criteria. HELCOM will take the lead in the Baltic Sea.  A species already extinct from the region, the Baltic sturgeon, is under rescue through a recent initiative, the HELCOM Sturgeon Rehabilitation . The Group aims to restore viable populations of the sturgeon through concrete conservation actions, first by planning for a large scale project to be launched in 2015. Furthermore, progress on improving and restoring Baltic biodiversity will be inspected from several other angles such as the status of harbour porpoise and seals in the Baltic. Among the other issues in the Meeting agenda is the continued work on marine protected areas (MPAs) to follow up the newly adopted HELCOM Recommendation .The Meeting discussed the renewal of the HELCOM MPA database and the next assessment of ecological coherence of the MPA network. The Meeting will now follow up on the content of the national management plans and their effectiveness. As the HELCOM 2013 Copenhagen Ministerial Meeting also agreed to strive for active and regionally harmonized data collection, the HABITAT Meeting will discuss an initiative to set up a biodiversity data portal. Along with monitoring and indicators, this would greatly support the upcoming biodiversity assessment of the Baltic Sea. The Meeting is chaired by the Vice-Chair of HELCOM HABITAT, Ms. Penina Blankett, Finland.Documents for HELCOM HABITAT 16-2014 can be uploaded after the Meeting from the . * * *Note for editors:, which is one of the HELCOM Working Groups involving all the Baltic coastal states, works to conserve and protect biodiversity, species and habitats of the Baltic Sea. HABITAT promotes the sustainable use of living marine resources and aims to ensure that the environmental protection needs are duly considered in different activities that affect the marine environment, by using tools such as spatial planning and environmental impact assessments. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Ulla Li Zweifel Professional Secretary – GEAR, HABITAT & MONAS HELCOM Tel. +358 46 850 9198  Skype: helcom64 E-mail: ullali.zweifel(@)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

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