Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

​For the first time, the joint management plans of the Vistula Lagoon, located between Poland and Russia, is discussed by such a wide array of stakeholders, representing transport, tourism, fisheries management, environmental protection, maritime spatial planning and business sectors.  The 2-day Forum in Kaliningrad, Russia is organized by and projects and brings together Polish, Russian and international stakeholders to agree upon the baseline situation and start the plans. The initiative contributes to the achievement of good environmental status for the Baltic Sea, sustaining a wide range of human, economic and social activities in the region, as an overall goal of Baltic Sea Action Plan istula Lagoon is separated from the Gulf of Gdansk by a long sandy Spit, forming a variety of landscapes. The Lagoon has unique natural features and it provides a shallow-water sink for a large catchment area, making the ecosystem of the Lagoon very sensitive to any human disturbances. The waterbody remains one of 52 HELCOM “hot spots”, as the pollution load being accumulated in the lagoon for years from its vast catchment significantly influences the water quality of the Baltic Sea. quot;There is a strong need to develop a shared comprehensive management plan for the lagoon basin and its watershed by Poland and Russia in order to counteract the water pollution. Better management will reduce concerns also for other environmental aspects, e.g. nature conservation and sustainable use of the lagoon’s resources. Meanwhile, the lagoon is an attractive area for development of various human activities, e.g. shipping, fishery and tourism, which, if environmental limitations are not considered, may compromise sustainable development of the region. By and large, water management issues deserve more attention from the general public, authorities and decision-makers in the region, and this is exactly what the new initiative aims to create,” says Saija Vuola, BASE Project Manager, HELCOM. he Vistula Lagoon and its basin will continue to be the most important area for development within the sub-region. Many local, regional, national, and international bodies and projects are already cooperating on related issues to better jointly manage the Lagoon. However, cooperation has often structured around one specific issue thus missing a more holistic, cross-sectorial approach  * Note for editors: (2012-2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) in Russia.  BASE addresses altogether three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to support and measure the progress within the abovementioned segments are also being carried out. The pilot projects (See: ) are implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while the overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St. Petersburg Public Organization “”.  aims to identify the development potential of the Vistula Lagoon region as well as Polish- Russian socio-economic cooperation. The project will analyse the process of sustainable development on regional level, as well as the natural conditions of the lagoon and the possibilities for socio-economic growth. The project should also answer to questions about the potential forms of Polish-Russian cooperation in this area and define the regional development directions for future he Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention * * *For further information, please contact:Saija VuolaProject ManagerHELCOM BASETel: +358 40 668 4657 Skype: helcom48E-mail: saija.vuola(@)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

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

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

meetings in Tallinn, Estonia, this week.
has for long had a high focus on coordinated international environmental
monitoring for the Baltic. The EU co-funded BALSAM aims to enhance the
coordination, as well as fill gaps in the regional monitoring work by strengthening
the capacity of the
Baltic Sea coastal countries in their monitoring of water birds, benthic
habitats, seals and non-indigenous species in ports. “Coordinated
monitoring of the offshore water bird has not been carried out in the Baltic before
and the aim is now to build a platform to start international collaboration to
monitor and share data on the birds. Coordinated efforts in monitoring would help
protect endangered seabirds in the Baltic, such as Steller’s eider and long-tailed
duck”, says Ainars Aunins from the Latvian Fund for Nature, coordinator of the
seabird platform.The BALSAM Project
also contributes to the revision of the HELCOM joint monitoring programme and the
development of the online joint HELCOM Monitoring Manual. The Manual will assist
the EU member states in their reporting for the Marine Strategy Framework
Directive (MSFD) and is expected to be available online in the autumn of 2014. In
the BALSAM Meetings this week, the main focus will be on contributing to the Manual,
discussing the establishment of a platform for water bird monitoring as well as
drafting a manual on benthic habitat monitoring for the Baltic.   “Currently no regular monitoring exists for
Baltic Sea benthic habitats, although habitat mapping has started in many
countries. Our goal is to prepare a manual with recommendations on how to
monitor the habitats in the future” says Georg Martin from the Estonian Marine
Institute.BALSAM
ensures harmonized approaches also in an interregional level, by cooperating
with two other pilot projects in the North Sea (JMP NS/CS) and in the
Mediterranean (IRIS-SES). Further, BALSAM will provide recommendations to enhance
coordinated use of research vessels in the Baltic Sea. The project started on 1
October 2013 and will run until the end of March 2015. (all documents public after the
meeting), 7-8 May
2014, Tallinn, Estonia  * * *Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission,
usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine
Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the
marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to
ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the
governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment
of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention.  * * *For further information, please contact:Johanna KarhuBALSAM Project CoordinatorHELCOM
Tel. +358 406619040
Skype: helcom63E-mail: Johanna Laurila
Information SecretaryHELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail:  

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

Seeking for coordination with relevant regional stakeholders and planning the future work based on HELCOM 2013 Ministerial commitments were main topics of the tenth meeting of the Fisheries and Environment Forum () held yesterday in Riga, Latvia. Experts representing national fisheries and environmental authorities from the HELCOM Contracting Parties as well as several observers participated to follow up on the fisheries related actions stemming from the HELCOM 2013 Ministerial Declaration.  The stakeholders taking part in the Meeting included the Baltic Sea Fisheries Forum (BALTFISH), a regional body since 2009 having its base in the regionalisation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Meeting aimed to bring HELCOM and the Baltic Sea Fisheries Forum (BALTFISH) communities together to discuss future plans in order to come up with a mutually supportive agenda. All the countries on the shores of the Baltic Sea have the same objective of reaching a good environmental status through ecosystem-based approach to fisheries.  Key activities for stakeholder cooperation on Baltic Sea fisheries, thus major topics in the Meeting agenda, covered migratory fish species; fisheries management within marine protected areas; need for better data for fisheries for the purpose of integrated assessment of human impacts on marine environment, especially with regards to coastal and recreational fisheries; as well as development of recommendations for sustainable aquaculture in the Baltic Sea Region. More effectiveness will be achieved by mapping activities that are covered – or planned to be covered – in these areas to avoid any possible duplication. Instead the HELCOM’s joint work with fisheries sector enables to join the efforts for reaching of common goals, based on solid scientific knowledge and practical experience.  * * *Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Mikhail Durkin Professional Secretary – LAND Group, AGRI/ENV FORUM, FISH/ENV FORUM Tel. +358 46 850 9195 Skype: helcom04E-mail: mikhail.durkin@helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi ​

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

​​The 2013 HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme is a step towards cost-efficient water protection, suggests a recent by the University of Helsinki and MTT Agrifood Research Finland. The conclusions state that while there is no need to revise the 2013 targets set for the Baltic Sea catchment, more flexibility for the implementation is required in order to maximise the economic benefits. Furthermore, the cost of reaching the previous nutrient reduction targets, as set in the 2007 Baltic Sea Action Plan, would have been 16% higher although the revised targets are now more ambitious with respect to phosphorus. By adopting the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration last October, the HELCOM members committed to revised nutrient reduction targets for each Baltic coastal country to limit their annual inputs below maximum allowable level in specific sub-basins. The report “” provides ideas to boost the performance of national implementation programmes of HELCOM countries.  The study demonstrates that there is potential for efficiency gains in load  reductions if more flexible mechanisms are put into place, such as joint implementation that could resemble climate change mitigation measures. The cost of meeting the remaining Country Allocated Reduction Targets (CART) – set for waterborne inputs – were roughly estimated to be 1980 million euros (MEUR) annually. According to the report these costs can be reduced by over 200 million, from 1980 to 1700 MEUR each year, if the HELCOM countries were allowed to account for load reduction efforts made in other countries, be reduced by almost 500 million if the HELCOM states, as already introduced in the 2013 commitment, account for nutrient reductions achieved in other than the focal catchments, and take into account the nutrient exchange between Baltic Sea basins.  The study is a follow-up of the and was performed during late 2013 – beginning 2014. The analysis is limited to estimating the costs of nutrient reductions made in waterborne inputs – both point and non-point sources in the catchment area – in the coastal countries. Together they account for 85% of the overall phosphorus input and 68% of the overall nitrogen input to the Baltic Sea. * * *Note for editorsWithin the , each country committed to fulfil particular targets for reducing nutrient pollution, through measures addressing discharges and emissions from land and via air. The updated targets represent the best available knowledge and give guidance to sharing responsibility for reducing nutrient inputs originating from both HELCOM and non-HELCOM countries, as well as from shipping and sources outside the region.  Reduction country-wise nutrient reduction targets as agreed in 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration​ * = figures after ‘+’ refer to loads originating from the country but being discharged to the Sea via another country; additional specific footnotes to the table can be found in the Ministerial Declaration text​* * *The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union workin​g to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contactJohanna Laurila> Information Secretary> HELCOM> Tel: +358 40 523 8988> E-mail: > Skype: helcom70​

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

HELCOM work on (MPAs) took a major leap forward as the new Recommendation on coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas was adopted earlier this month (). Protected areas are essential for maintaining healthy biodiversity and ensuring the versatility of ecosystems. The primary reason for creating the new Recommendation is the need to update selection criteria of marine protected areas. Such improved criteria are now possible due to recent major HELCOM work to define at risk of extinction, as well as
threatened by collapse in the Baltic Sea. Another essential feature is that the network of HELCOM MPAs aims to be ecologically coherent, in other words that the collection of sites protects the full range of biodiversity in the region. Moreover, the contents of management plans for the protected areas require urgent attention. The area of HELCOM marine protected areas has increased threefold since 2004 and now covers about 12 % of the marine area, thereby exceeding the target of 10 % set by the Convention on Biological Diversity, confirms the HELCOM Overview published last year. The Baltic Sea was one of the first regional seas in the world to reach this target.  However, little progress has been made to include more off-shore areas under the protection regime, and the network of protected areas is not yet ecologically coherent in spite of the HELCOM target set three years ago. The newly adopted Recommendation incorporates all Baltic Sea sub-basins within the 10 % protection coverage target. Further, new management plans are needed: currently, 106 HELCOM MPAs (65% of the total) have a management plan in force; in 42 (26%) sites a plan is still inpreparation; and the rest – 15 out of 163 – have no progress for such a plan. The new Recommendation therefore reiterates that all MPAs should have a management plan by 2015 and that any new site should establish a management plan within five years of its designation.   Moreover, the new Recommendation stipulates that the database for HELCOM MPAs will be modernized to facilitate the reporting and assessment of protected areas. And along with the new Recommendation, a new acronym has also been adopted:  from now on, instead of the former BSPAs (Baltic Sea Protected Areas) the coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas will be known as HELCOM MPAs. * * *Note for editors:, which is one of the HELCOM Working Groups involving all the Baltic coastal states, works to conserve and protect biodiversity, species and habitats of the Baltic Sea. HABITAT promotes the sustainable use of living marine resources and aims to ensure that the environmental protection needs are duly considered in different activities that affect the marine environment, by using tools such as spatial planning and environmental impact assessments. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contactJanica BorgProject Researcher (PROTECT)HELCOM Tel: +358 40 662 0101 E-mail: janica.borg(@)helcom.fiSkype: helcom57 Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: Skype: helcom70​

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

​ has released today a to Alien Species and Ballast Water Management in the Baltic Sea, to mitigate the harmful impact of alien species and to inform stakeholders, i.a. mariners entering in the area. The new Guide provides an overview of the global and regional implementation measures applicable in the Baltic Sea he enclosed form, low salinity and relatively lively maritime traffic make the Baltic Sea prone to entrance and settlement of non-native species transmitted through ships ballast water. Shipping connects the region to a multitude of destinations all around the world and can thus not be addressed by Baltic Sea countries alone his global threat to the Baltic Sea is addressed by the 2004 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments () of the International Maritime Organisation (). The BWM Convention aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of ships’ ballast water and sediments ince the adoption of the BWM Convention the Baltic Sea coastal countries have cooperated within HELCOM Maritime Group in order to ensure an efficient and harmonised implementation of the Convention measures in the Baltic Sea area egional measures developed within HELCOM include recommendations regarding ballast water exchange, definitions of target species as well as delineating procedures for granting of exemptions to ballast water management based on risk assessments (A-4). The geographical coverage of such measures is, in certain cases, supra-regional such as the three set of voluntary guidelines on ballast water exchange agreed together with the OSPAR Commission and the Barcelona Convention, and the”Joint HELCOM/OSPAR on the granting of exemptions under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, Regulation A-4″ he Guide has been drafted by the HELCOM project , coordinated by the HELCOM Secretariat, with input from the experts from HELCOM member states.  * * *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 double. At the same time, increasing maritime transportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of the many people who depend on the sea he 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. 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:Marta RuizProject Researcher (ALIENS 3)HELCOMTel.: +358 40 647 2424Skype: helcom59E-mail: Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail:

HELCOM has released today a Guide to Alien Species and Ballast Water Management in the Baltic Sea, to inform stakeholders, i.a. mariners entering in the area.

Best measures to monitor and assess underwater noise and marine litter in the Baltic Sea, and especially the development of indicators, were discussed in Oslo during the 3-day of HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Group () ending yesterday. Noise and litter have damaging impacts on marine ecosystems and immediate attention is needed to define suitable mitigation measures, as well as follow-up on the effectiveness of actions. The long-running MONAS Group consists of representatives from all the Baltic coastal countries, from the fields of research and policy-making alike.  A dedicated thematic session at the meeting focused, among others, on planning the way forward for the development of indicators for underwater noise, which may be used for monitoring ambient and impulsive underwater noise in the Baltic Sea. Human-introduced noise from e.g. wind farm construction and shipping is increasing. Such sounds, highly challenging to measure and manage, may have a significant negative impact on animals in a number of ways, on both individual and population levels.  Moreover, another session at the MONAS meeting considered latest research initiatives and available information on sources and amounts of marine litter in the Baltic Sea as well as existing methods for monitoring. The session provided inputs towards development of a Regional Action Plan for marine litter by 2015. The Action Plan has the aim to significantly reduce marine litter by 2025. Marine litter from land and sea-based sources, with a dominance of plastics of different sizes ranging from macro- to microparticles, causes harmful impacts not only on habitats and species, but also on various economic sectors, such as fisheries, shipping or tourism.  The agenda of the MONAS meeting, which started on Tuesday, has otherwise focused on the extensive revision of the HELCOM monitoring programmes; the development and operationalization of core indicators; and planning of the execution of a second holistic assessment. he Meeting was chaired by HELCOM MONAS Chair Ms. Anna-Stiina Heiskanen, Finland. 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

Best measures to monitor and assess underwater noise and marine litter in the Baltic Sea, especially developing indicators, were discussed in MONAS Meeting.

The new HELCOM on illegal discharges in the Baltic Sea indicates a drop in flight hours, particularly in Sweden and Germany. Overall in 2013, the total hours of aerial surveillance in the HELCOM area sank by 15 % from 2012. A clear positive trend, for a number of years, is the decrease in both the size of observed mineral oil spills and the number of spills. For better protection of the Baltic marine environment from pollution, every ship entering the area is urged to comply with anti-pollution regulations. The intensive aerial surveillance has helped, by its share, to reduce illegal spills significantly in the Baltic Sea (see figure below), despite the increasing traffic. To maintain the positive trend there is a need for adequate surveillance also in the future by all HELCOM countries.  In 2013, a total of 130 mineral oil spills were detected in the Baltic Sea during aerial surveillance and the total estimated volume of detected discharges was lower than ever, with 11 m3. In recent years, the number of observations of other harmful discharges than oil has increased; hence the specialized HELCOM Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance (IWGAS) has decided that observations of these substances will also be included in regular regional reporting, compiled by HELCOM.  Co-operation on aerial surveillance within the Baltic Sea area was established during the 1980s within the HELCOM framework. Through the (Article 14, Annex VII, Regulation 7) the Contracting Parties – the nine Baltic countries and the European Union – have agreed to develop and apply, individually or in co-operation, surveillance activities covering the Baltic Sea area in order to spot and monitor oil and other substances released into the sea. If possible, the identity of a polluter should be established and a spill sampled from both the sea surface and the suspected offender on board.   * * *Note for editors: 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 co-operation 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 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: Laura MeskiAssisting Professional SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 162 2053Skype: helcom82E-mail: laura.meski(@)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi ​

The new HELCOM report on illegal discharges in the Baltic Sea indicates a drop in flight hours in 2013.

With the active involvement of the member states including all Baltic Sea countries, the International Maritime Organization’s () Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 66) has agreed last Friday on a compromise on the implementation dates of existing as well as future Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas (NOx ECAs) under the MARPOL Convention. The establishing of such a control area is expected to mitigate pollution since emissions from shipping constitute a significant source of airborne nitrogen deposition e.g. to the Baltic Sea. The adoption of the compromise amendments includes the retaining of the implementation date of 2016 for the already designated North American and US Caribbean NOx ECAs; postponing the effective date of superyachts in operation in these areas to 2021, and leave the implementation dates of future NOx ECA areas to be decided on a case by case basis. As for the Baltic Sea, an application document has been prepared by HELCOM Maritime Group since 2008 and regarded as ready for submission since 2012. “The designation of new Emission Control Areas is important in order to reduce NOx emissions from shipping. I believe the amendment adopted by MEPC 66 has clarified the conditions for new NECAs and will facilitate the discussions of an application to IMO to designate the Baltic Sea a NOx ECA”, says Ms. Anna Petersson, Chair of HELCOM Maritime Group.                                                                               Shipping in the Baltic is the source of over 13000 tons of airborne nitrogen deposited to the sea annually, close to the contribution of all land based airborne emissions from countries like Russia or Sweden. If the Baltic Sea would be established as a NOx ECAs it is expected to reduce Nitrogen pollution of the Baltic Sea by around 7000 tons annually. The intensive negotiations that took place last week in London on Nitrogen emission control, have been based on several submissions from IMO member states.  BackgroundWhen in force, the Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas (NOx ECAs) require that ships meet the strictest (Tier III) NOx emission standards defined in the Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention when operating in these areas. So far only two NOx ECAs, in the North America and United States Caribbean Sea, have been designated but such status has been discussed at least within the Baltic and the North Seas. In October 2013, due to the lack of firm IMO decision on implementation dates the Baltic Sea countries were in a difficult negotiation positions during the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting. The Countries did not agree on new substantial decisions regarding the Baltic Sea NOx ECA submission to IMO MEPC, despite lengthy negotiations. As a compromise the 2013 HELCOM declaration refers to an earlier commitment from 2010 to work towards submitting a joint proposal to IMO preferably by 2011. HELCOM has had the observer status at IMO since the early 1980s and was represented at the IMO MEPC 66 by the Secretariat. The Chair of the HELCOM Maritime Group, Ms. Anna Petersson, participated in the meeting as part of the Swedish delegation. * * *Note for editors:The HELCOM identifies and promotes actions to limit sea-based pollution and ways for safer navigation. It also works to ensure enforcement and harmonized implementation of international shipping regulations. 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:Anna PeterssonChair of HELCOM Maritime GroupCivil Aviation and Maritime DepartmentSwedish Transport AgencyTel: +46 767211018E-mail: anna.petersson(@)transportstyrelsen.se Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 E-mail: hermanni.backer(@)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

IMO last Friday has agreed on a compromise on the implementation dates of existing as well as future Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Areas (NOx ECAs) under the MARPOL Convention.

High
quality assessing of the entire Baltic Sea’s eutrophication status is expected
to greatly improve through a new Project, soon wrapping up its kick-off meeting
in Helsinki, Finland. During the 2-year project , the whole assessment process concerning the nine
Baltic coastal states will be designed and implemented, from monitoring and
data aggregation to visualizing the final assessment.  HELCOM has long experience in assessment work
of highest standards – elemental for estimating the effectiveness of
any adopted measures and for improving the health of Baltic marine environment.> >>The key Project
results will include more efficient data flow allowing for regular updates in
an automated way; flexibility in the system to also extract information; as
well as improved integration of indicators on eutrophication status with the
use of so called HEAT 3 assessment tool. With the new approach, HELCOM member
states will be able to utilize the reported data and assessment to also serve
their other requirements such as of EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive as
far as EU countries are concerned. >> >Moreover,
the Project outcome will form an integral part of the next HELCOM holistic
assessment, also including components on biodiversity and hazardous substances,
and published in 2016 as stated in the Ministerial Declaration last year. > >>The Project
will also improve the quality of the existing core indicators on eutrophication
status. The measures entail the introduction of new data types such as remote
sensing and ship-of-opportunity data, as well as development of additional
indicators to fill the gaps in the present set. The task is also to harmonize
coastal and open sea assessment.>>                                                                                                                                                          >* * *>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 more information, please
contact:>Vivi Fleming-Lehtinen>Project Manager/EUTRO-OPER>HELCOM>
Tel. +358 040 032 9157>
Skype: helcom65>E-mail: >> >Johanna Laurila>
Information Secretary>
HELCOM>
Tel: +358 40 523 8988>
Skype: helcom70>
E-mail: >>

The entire assessment process will be designed and implemented, from monitoring and data aggregation to visualizing the final assessment.