Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

​Honorary guests, expert speakers and panelists, and the extended HELCOM family will celebrate tomorrow 5 March the 40th anniversary year of signing of the Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area. A session will be streamed at 10–12:30 o’clock (CET+1h).  Selected highlights from a special exhibition, showcasing major achievements, photos and many memories from the four decades of environmental collaboration between the nine Baltic Sea countries and the EU, will also be made available in HELCOM website.  The Jubilee will be opened by President Tarja Halonen, followed by Minister of the Environment of Finland, Ville Niinistö, Jacqueline Alder from the United Nations Environment Programme, and Helle Pilsgaard, Chair of HELCOM. Three expert presentations will shed some light on the status of the Baltic marine environment and future prospects for its recovery, by Professor Erik Bonsdorff, Åbo Akademi; Bo Gustafsson, Baltic Nest Institute; and Marianne Kettunen from the Institute of European Environmental Policy.  As the final part, the stage will be taken over by a panel with a future focus, participated by Chiefs-of-Office of HELCOM, Marine environment protection Commission of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR), International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), and the BONUS Baltic Research Programme. The panel will also be joined by the representatives of two HELCOM members: the European Union and the Russian Federation.  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:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail:

Honorary guests, expert speakers and panelists, and the extended HELCOM family will celebrate tomorrow the 40th anniversary year.

​The renowned efforts of HELCOM on marine protected areas (MPAs) are addressed today in a high level visit of Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias. The side-event organized by the Ministry of the Environment of Finland showcases the work being done in implementing CBD and its programmes of work. HELCOM Executive Secretary Monika Stankiewicz has presented regional achievements.  HELCOM marine protected areas (MPAs) are established to protect valuable marine and coastal habitats in the Baltic Sea. This is done by designating areas with particular nature values as protected areas, and by managing human activities within those areas. HELCOM MPAs base on HELCOM Recommendation 15/5 and this week, a new MPA Recommendation matching better the present situation expects adoption in the HELCOM Annual Meeting. Currently a proud 12% of the Baltic Sea area has been designated as protected, three-fold more than in 2004 and clearly exceeding the 10% target set by CBD. The number of management plans in marine protected areas has also increased. However, the network is not yet ecologically coherent.  The latest of MPAs in the Baltic Sea was prepared for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting.   Convention on Biological Diversity is a global agreement addressing all aspects of biological diversity: genetic resources, species, and ecosystems. The international legally binding treaty entered into force on 1993. 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 Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail:

Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Dr. Braulio Dias visits today a side event organized by Finnish Ministry of Environment.

A major Brussels conference ‘Healthy Oceans – Productive
Ecosystems ()’ opens today bringing together those working with or in
relation to the European marine environment, with sessions on marine indicators
to assess the status of the sea which is a traditional expertise area for
HELCOM. A key aim of the HOPE Conference is to discuss progress made over the
past 5 years since the adoption of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive
(MSFD), the problems and the solutions for improved coherence and better marine
governance. The Directive has strong parallels with the HELCOM Baltic Sea
Action Plan (2007–2021), both having the same objective to achieve and maintain
the good environmental status of the marine environment by 2020/2021 ELCOM Professional Secretary Ulla Li Zweifel will represent
long HELCOM experience in common indicator work, by joining Round 1 parallel
session on Monitoring in the morning of 4 March. HELCOM core indicators are
common for all Contracting Parties and can be used to assess the state of the
entire Baltic Sea ecosystem, including its flora, fauna and habitats, as well
as pressures affecting the Sea such as hazardous substances (e.g. PCB) and
radioactive substances. The first HELCOM core sets of indicators is ready for
eutrophication, and since last year, for biodiversity and hazardous substances,
and the work continues to develop them further by 2015.   he entire HOPE conference will be streamed live via on 3 and 4 March. Twitter hashtag: #HOPE4EUSEAS ote 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 governed the ‘Convention on the Protection of
the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the
Helsinki Convention For further information, please contact:Ulla Li Zweifel
Professional Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 46 850 9198
Skype: helcom64 E-mail: ullali.zweifel@helcom.fi

Johanna Laurila
Information Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail:

A major Brussels conference ‘Healthy Oceans – Productive Ecosystems (HOPE)’ opens today, and is streamed live in its entirety.

HELCOM hosts a pan-European meeting today on pollution incident cooperation, with the view to maintain a thorough exchange of experiences and information across the continent. The annual meeting aims to create working synergies of the organizations in the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, the Northeast Atlantic, the Nordic countries and the EU: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Commission. Representatives of the concerned regional agreements will each present an overview of recent, current and planned activities, regarding both operational and preparedness matters. The agreements represented include the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), Bonn Agreement, Lisbon Agreement, Copenhagen Agreement and the Helsinki Convention (HELCOM). * * *Note for editors:Maritime transportation in the Baltic Sea region has steadily increased during the past decade. 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.  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 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 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:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fiJohanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

HELCOM hosts a pan-European meeting today on pollution incident cooperation among the continent’s regional agreements.

 WHOPresident Tarja Halonen;Ville Niinistö, Minister of Environment of Finland;Jacqueline Alder, Head, Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems Branch, Division of Environmental Policy Implementation of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP);Helle Pilsgaard, Chair of HELCOM WHAT40th anniversary jubilee session of HELCOM, including expert presentations on ‘Baltic Sea: ecosystem and prosperity’ and a future-orientated dialogue panel – full programme enclosedWHENWednesday 5 March 2014, 10:00 – 12:30 WHERE                                 Marina Congress Center (Europaea Hall, ground floor), Katajanokanlaituri 6, 00160 Helsinki WHYThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) celebrates its first 40 years since the historical signing of the Helsinki Convention on the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. Note that the Jubilee session can also be followed live through video stream on . Best of the special Jubilee exhibition, showcasing highlights from the rich history of HELCOM, will also be set up in the dedicated webpages.The Jubilee will be followed on 5–6 March 2014 by HELCOM Annual Meeting, the highest decision-making body of HELCOM.  Any interested media: please contact Johanna Laurila by Tuesday 4 March 2014 for accreditation. See contact details below* * *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:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi 

MEDIA ADVISORY – President Tarja Halonen and Ville Niinistö, Minister of Environment of Finland will open the festivities on 5 March 2014 at 10am.

​Helping to minimize impact of any disposed material containing heavy metals and other hazardous substances is the ultimate goal of the dredged material Baltic expert meeting continuing today. HELCOM Guidelines which concern dredged material needs revising, the last being adopted in 2007, to better follow processes at the global level () and in the neighbouring marine regions such as North-East Atlantic (). The 2-day expert group meeting looks closely into recent legislative and technological developments and project outcomes related to dredging, in order to optimally update the guidelines for the Baltic Sea area.   Dredging is essential to maintain navigation in ports and harbours as well as for developing port facilities. However, dredging represents one of the human pressures onto marine environment hence it impacts sea floor integrity; releases and relocates contamination; and disturbs sea life by noise, turbidity and siltation. Bottom sediments being dredged, especially within port areas, often contain a cocktail of hazardous substances accumulated there as a result of human activities upstream. Only material which is considered “clean” can be disposed at sea.  Some of the dredged material from within the Baltic Sea area is, by its nature, either uncontaminated or only slightly contaminated by human activity – i.e. at, or close to, natural background levels. Such material can be utilised for various beneficial purposes such as land reclamation, beach nourishing and dykes.  The revised HELCOM Guidelines for the disposal of dredged material at sea should address options for sustainable handling of both contaminated and “clean” material, avoiding loss of resources and at the same time not compromising good environmental status.  * * *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 governed 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 E-mail: mikhail.durkin@helcom.fiTel. +358 46 850 9195 Skype: helcom04 Johanna Laurila Information Secretary Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail:

Helping to minimize impact of any disposed material containing heavy metals and other hazardous substances is the ultimate goal of the dredged material Baltic expert meeting.

Celebrating Four Decades of Extraordinary Marine Protection Work with HELCOM

HELCOM invites everyone to join in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Convention. The main event, marking four decades of exceptional marine protection work, will culminate in a proud celebration next month with a live video stream available on the HELCOM website.

Event Details
On 5 March 2014, from 10:00 to 12:30, high-level speakers from Finland (the host country), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and HELCOM will open the session in front of invited guests. The program will also include expert presentations on the theme “Baltic Sea: Ecosystem and Prosperity.” Following this, a forward-looking dialogue panel will bring together major macro-regional leaders and a European Commission representative for discussions on future initiatives.

Historical Context
The Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area was signed on 22 March 1974 in Helsinki. This historic agreement committed the Baltic Sea coastal countries to take appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures to prevent pollution and promote ecological restoration. The Convention, a milestone in international environmental efforts, came just two years after the 1972 United Nations Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, which laid the foundation for modern global environmental awareness and led to the establishment of UNEP.

Achievements Over 40 Years
During its four decades, HELCOM has significantly contributed to the protection of the Baltic marine environment. Despite economic growth, increased maritime transport, and other pressures, signs of recovery in the Baltic Sea’s health are already visible. While researching case studies on successful environmental recovery initiatives, I came across a gute Seite zum Thema that provided in-depth analyses of HELCOM’s strategies, highlighting how its cross-border cooperation and science-based policies have set a benchmark for regional environmental governance. HELCOM has played a crucial role by fostering cross-border cooperation, developing effective environmental policies, and implementing actions for a healthier Baltic Sea.

Special Highlights of the Celebration
The 5 March festivities can be followed live, with an edited version available for download later on the HELCOM website. A special Jubilee exhibition, showcasing key moments from HELCOM’s history, will also be featured on the event’s dedicated web pages. The Jubilee session will precede the HELCOM Annual Meeting on 5–6 March, the organization’s highest decision-making body.

Note for Editors:
The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, commonly known as HELCOM, is an intergovernmental organization consisting of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. Since 1974, HELCOM has governed the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, widely referred to as the Helsinki Convention. The organization works to protect the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and ensure the safety of navigation in the region.

For Further Information, Please Contact:
Johanna Laurila
Information Secretary, HELCOM
Phone: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
Email: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Four decades of extraordinary marine protection work of HELCOM celebrated in 2014.

​Today’s meeting of the HELCOM Group of Experts on Safety of Navigation () will discuss further measures to improve safety of navigation in the Baltic Sea region under the chairmanship of Mr. Valtteri Laine, Finnish Transport Safety Agency.  Among the topics on the agenda is a discussion on enhanced cooperation between HELCOM, the Baltic Sea Hydrographic and the Baltic Ordnance Survey Board, to further increase the safety of ships’ main routes by combining re-surveys with targeted clearance of historical mines. The Baltic Ordnance Survey Board is a regional cooperation structure carrying out joint mine clearance operations in the Baltic Sea region. The Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission is regional cooperation under the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) which has since long been cooperating with HELCOM to implement the regional re-survey scheme, originally adopted at the HELCOM Meeting of Ministers of Transport in Copenhagen 2001. Other issues include improving the annual HELCOM accident reports as well as implementation of e-navigation solutions in the region–a joint commitment by the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting.  * * *Note for editorsShipping 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. The Maritime Group of HELCOM (), and its sub-groups like the , 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. * * * For further information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(@)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fi

Today the HELCOM expert group on safety of navigation discusses improving cooperation between Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission, Baltic Ordnance Survey Board and HELCOM.

​The actions in immediate future for more coherent Baltic spatial planning are in key focus in the regular of HELCOM and Visions and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (VASAB), starting today in Riga, Latvia. The work plan discussed in the 2-day Meeting will help implement the recent for regional maritime spatial planning (MSP) 2013–2020, adopted by the 2013 HELCOM Copenhagen . The two organisations, having co-led Horizontal Action on Spatial Planning for 3 years, have a stable working procedure by e.g. hosting biannual working group meetings. Another central topic in the Meeting is the preparations for the on 26 September 2014, in Tallinn, Estonia.  The Meeting will be co-chaired by the Working Group Co-Chairs Ms. Anita Mäkinen, Finland, and Mr. Andrzej Cieślak, Poland.  * * *Note for editors:A joint co-chaired on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), launched in October 2010, works to ensure cooperation among the Baltic Sea region countries for coherent regional MSP processes. The co-chairs are and the Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (), which also co-lead the Horizontal Action ‘Spatial Planning’ of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The Working Group facilitates the follow-up of Regional Baltic Maritime Spatial Planning Roadmap 2013–2020, with the aim to draw up and apply maritime spatial plans throughout the Baltic Sea Region which are coherent across borders and apply the ecosystem approach. 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:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Response, Maritime and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel: +358 (0)46 850 9199Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645E-mail: hermanni.backer@helcom.fiSkype: helcom02 Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 (0)40 523 8988Fax: +358 (0)207 412 639E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fiSkype: helcom70

The work plan discussed in the 2-day HELCOM-VASAB meeting will help implement the Roadmap for MSP 2013–2020.

The HELCOM Response Group, comprising competent pollution incident authorities from all Baltic Sea coastal countries and European Union services, is convening today for its regular three-day meeting in Szczecin, Poland. Under the chairmanship of the Swedish Coast Guard representative, participants will exchange information on the previous year’s response operations, discuss revisions to the hazardous and noxious substances sections of the HELCOM Manual on Cooperation on Marine Pollution Response (HELCOM Response Manual), and consider the future of HELCOM’s communication procedures for spill notifications and requests for assistance, especially in view of recent EU developments. The meeting will also address the implementation of additional pollution preparedness and response measures identified during the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting.

The HELCOM cooperation on regional pollution preparedness and response has been operational since 1976. Currently known as the HELCOM Response Group, it has established an effective regional response framework that encompasses all Baltic Sea countries. The system ensures rapid sharing of information regThe HELCOM cooperation on regional pollution preparedness and response has been operational since 1976. Currently known as the HELCOM Response Group, it has established an effective regional response framework that encompasses all Baltic Sea countries. The system ensures rapid sharing of information regarding maritime accidents, illegal pollution incidents, response fleet readiness, and capacities, as documented in the HELCOM Response Manual. The manual serves as a comprehensive reference tool for maritime safety officials, researchers, and the public alike, offering clear guidelines and protocols (more info here) to support rapid decision-making during incidents. Additionally, the HELCOM Response Group coordinates aerial surveillance along maritime shipping routes, providing comprehensive monitoring of sea-based pollution and aiding the identification of suspected polluters. The current Chair of the Group represents the Swedish Coast Guard.

Although increased maritime traffic signifies improved regional cooperation and economic prosperity, it also raises the potential risk of shipping accidents leading to pollution. Incidents such as collisions and groundings have become more frequent, with an annual average of 120–140 shipping accidents in the Baltic Sea area. Fortunately, most accidents have not resulted in significant pollution; between 2000 and 2009, an average of only 7% of reported accidents caused pollution. Nonetheless, the environmental threat from any large-scale accident remains high. Notably, two major pollution incidents in recent decades involved the “Baltic Carrier” in 2001, spilling 2,700 tons of oil, and the “Fu Shan Hai” in 2003, spilling 1,200 tons of oil.

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) is an intergovernmental organization involving the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. HELCOM works to protect the marine environment from pollution and to ensure maritime safety in the Baltic region. Established under the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area” (Helsinki Convention), HELCOM has specific provisions related to pollution incident response.

For further information, please contact:

Hermanni Backer
Professional Secretary for Response, Maritime and Maritime Spatial Planning
HELCOM
Tel: +358 (0)46 850 9199
Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645
Email: Hermanni.backer@helcom.fi
Skype: helcom02

Johanna Laurila
Information Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 (0)40 523 8988
Fax: +358 (0)207 412 639
Email: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi
Skype: helcom70

Baltic Sea pollution incident authorities gather for annual review and planning for future.