Author: Eeva Nyyssönen

In May 2013 the HELCOM Secretariat received an unexpected email from Vietnam, asking for permission to translate the book “Planning the Bothnian Sea” to Vietnamese. The book, the final report of a HELCOM-led project on planning the future of the offshore Bothnian Sea, a part of northern Baltic Sea situated between Åland Islands and the Quark (Umeå-Vasa), had been released a year earlier. The initiative has been part of HELCOMs efforts to develop transboundary ecosystem based maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the region in cooperation with VASAB, another regional organization.Even if the book had already received international recognition for its substance and particularly for its design, most of the attention so far had been European. We were charmed by this sudden overseas interest and naturally replied positively.Five months later, in October 2013, we were quite astonished when we received an email with a complete Vietnamese version of the book. Every single word and graph on the 153 original pages had been meticulously translated by Department of Sustainable Development and Response to Climate Change at the Hanoi-based . The effort and devotion that our distant colleagues had spent on our publication exceeded all our expectations. .After the initial excitement had worn off we quickly developed a curiosity on the purpose behind the translation. To find out more we decided to ask one of the Vietnamese translators, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hai, some questions about why they thought it worthwhile to make the book, about planning in a far-away northern sea, available also to Vietnamese readers.Please find the full interview at .***For more information:Mr. Hermanni BackerProfessional SecretaryBaltic Marine Environment Protection Commission

Every single word and graph on the 153 original pages had been meticulously translated.

The Ministers of the Environment and High-Level Representatives of the nine Baltic coastal countries and the European Union, convened in a HELCOM Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark today, have reached an agreement on a package of extensive actions and measures. This will open up new themes to be addressed in the protection of the Baltic Sea. After a year of negotiations, the new HELCOM Ministerial outcome expresses the ambition of the Baltic Sea region to become a model for good management of human activities and to steer regional actions for reaching a healthier marine environment for the Baltic Sea.  Today the Ministerial Meeting has adopted an overarching scheme for combatting eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. Within the scheme, each country commits 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.  Agriculture was singled out as a crucial sector for the success of reaching good environmental status of the Baltic. Regarding sustainable agricultural production, the Meeting agreed, among others, on measures that include annual nutrient accounting at farm level and environmentally sound utilization of manure nutrients to be achieved by the specific deadlines.  The future designation of the Baltic Sea as a Nitrogen Oxide Emission Control Area (NECA) under the MARPOL Convention of the International Maritime Organisation emerged as the main topic for negotiations among the Ministers. After lengthy negotiations the Meeting concluded by recalling the earlier commitment regarding the designation, and specified that it would lead to a reduction of nearly 7000 tons of nitrogen to the sea every year. The outcome further stresses that the achievement of the Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication relies on additional reduction efforts by shipping sector. The regional cooperation on preparedness and response to pollution especially on shoreline will now improve thanks to the adoption of an amendment to the Helsinki Convention providing the legal basis for HELCOM work. Furthermore, the new HELCOM Recommendation on airborne surveillance of illegal spills from ships enables more flexible border crossings of the patrol aircrafts, for more efficient gathering of evidence on environmental offenses.   The new Declaration also contains actions on Baltic marine protected areas. Some of them target fisheries practices with negative impacts in protected areas and others overall upgrading of the network of the areas. Furthermore, conservation plans for species, habitats and biotopes which are at risk of extinction will be developed.  New ways of biodiversity protection include a regional action plan for marine litter, to be developed within two years, as well as actions on negative impacts of underwater noise.  The Contracting Parties agreed that the implementation of all commitments in the declaration will be continuously reviewed by the Ministers. To support the continuous assessment of the state of the sea, the Meeting agreed on a new Monitoring and Assessment Strategy. Since the adoption of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in 2007, this is the second Ministerial Meeting, following the Ministerial Meeting in Moscow in 2010, to assess the effectiveness of the Action Plan and subsequent progress towards good environmental status of the Baltic Sea.  Out of all the measures and actions agreed in the Baltic Sea Action Plan as well as following up the 2010 Ministerial Declaration, about one third of agreed actions have been accomplished. Six out of ten measures have been partly accomplished or are still on-going with varying degree of implementation in different countries, and the remaining ten per cent are still to be initiated. * * *Reduction targets Changes in the country-wise nutrient reduction targets for nitrogen and phosphorus per country: 2007 – as in HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Pla2013 – as adopted by the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting on 3 October 2013* = figures after ‘+’ refer to loads originating from the country but being discharged to the Sea via another country; additional specific footnotes to the above table can be found in the text of the Ministerial Declaration * * *Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. HELCOM has worked since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention. Associated documents for the Ministerial Meeting at:   * * *For further information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: Skype: helcom70 

The new HELCOM Ministerial outcome, issued today, expresses the ambition of the Baltic Sea region to become a model…

​High-level decisions expected for a healthier Baltic Sea marine environment 3 October 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark – New targets for nutrient input reductions for the Baltic Sea per each Baltic coastal state are expected to be adopted today by HELCOM Contracting Parties, consisting of all the nine Baltic coastal states and the European Union, in the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The targets will be an important part of the new Ministerial outcome which will set the overall direction for regional actions for a healthier marine environment of the Baltic Sea. Other major decisions expected today concern environmentally friendly shipping and, in particular, a joint proposal to apply for the NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) status for the Baltic Sea, as well as agriculture and more specifically, nutrient balanced fertilisation practices. A key focus of the Meeting is on HELCOM work to reduce nutrient inputs which cause eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. The HELCOM nutrient input reduction scheme has been subject to extensive review in the past years, for ensuring a solid scientific basis and a fair sharing of the reduction burden. Finally today, the updated, jointly agreed figures on maximum allowable inputs and reduction targets for HELCOM countries are put forward for adoptionThe substantial potential to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from ships, if the Baltic Sea is designated with a special NECA status for the Baltic Sea, has led to preparing of a joint HELCOM application to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The timing of submitting the application to IMO for such a designation will be another major issue for the ministers. The intensive negotiations preceding today’s high-level gathering have also addressed agricultural practices in the region, such as applying nutrient accounting at farm level by 2018. Positive examples in some HELCOM countries may pave the way to decisions on nutrient balanced fertilisation across the whole region and less nutrient losses. Targeted and cost-effective measures on manure handling are also a part of the draft Ministerial Declaration. Other items waiting for ministers’ decisions today include an amendment of the Helsinki Convention which more explicitly calls for international response to pollution accidents on shoreline. In contrast to the established framework on response cooperation at sea, which has been in place since the 1970s adoption of the Helsinki Convention, such shoreline response has so far largely been a national matter. Furthermore, several decisions by the Ministerial Meeting would result in fewer pressures on biodiversity as well as improvements in the conservation measures for instance of species, habitats and biotopes.Since the adoption of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in 2007, this is the second Ministerial Meeting, following the Ministerial Meeting in Moscow in 2010, to assess the effectiveness of the Action Plan and subsequent progress towards Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea. The 2013 Ministerial Meeting relies on the assessing of how far the region has come in the implementation of HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP, 2007–2021). This careful groundwork has also explored any positive trends and signs of decreasing pollution which could be observed as a result of the actions taken.  Out of all the measures and actions agreed in the Baltic Sea Action Plan, as well as following up the 2010 Moscow Ministerial Declaration, about one third of actions have been accomplished. Six out of ten measures have been partly accomplished or are still on-going with varying degree of implementation in different countries, and the remaining ten per cent are still to be initiated.Please note that the outcome of the Ministerial meeting will be summarized today for the press starting at 11.45 (CET+1hrs). The Declaration will be available after the Meeting at: Twitter: #HELCOM2013 * * *Note for editors: starts at 9:00 on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The high-level representatives of Environmental Ministries from the nine Baltic coastal states and the EU Environment Commissioner gather to discuss the status and the future of the Baltic Sea marine environment. The Meeting reviews the progress in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007–2021) and sets priorities for action. The Ministerial Declaration, signed at noon, revolves around the still unsatisfactory status of the Baltic Sea; the ecosystem approach as the basis for blue and green growth, the opportunities for more coherent policies and implementation, as well as committing to do more for a healthier Baltic Sea.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. HELCOM works since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: Skype: helcom70

New targets for nutrient input reductions for the Baltic Sea per each Baltic coastal state are expected to be adopted today by HELCOM Contracting Parties.

​01.10.2013Note new time at 11:45 – MEDIA ADVISORYHELCOM Ministerial Meeting 2013 in CopenhagenNine Environment Ministers and EU Commissioner gather for Baltic Sea health checkWHAT Press conference
following the HELCOM 2013 Ministerial MeetingWHEN Thursday 3 October
2013, at 11.45 – 12.30 (local time)WHERE Eigtveds Pakhus,
Asiatisk Plads 2G, Copenhagen, DenmarkWHYThe high-level representatives from all nine Baltic coastal
states and EU will gather to discuss priorities and agree on actions for
improving the Baltic Sea marine environment. HELCOM Contracting Parties have
committed to implement the Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007–2021), and now the
progress will be reviewed. The outcome – 2013 Ministerial Declaration – is the
master blueprint for stronger efforts for a healthier Baltic Sea, following the
long tradition of regional HELCOM cooperation. Any interested media are invited to apply for
accreditation by sending name, media represented, and contact information to
HELCOM Secretariat (johanna.laurila@helcom.fi), by Tuesday 1 October
2013.Dedicated webpages: ( Temporary
disruptions possible on 1 October)New documents uploaded today
and tomorrow:
(or, visit ;
folder: Commission Meetings (HELCOM) / HELCOM Ministerial 2013. No log-in
required)* * *For further information, please
contact Johanna LaurilaInformation
SecretaryHELCOMHelsinki, FinlandE-mail:
johanna.laurila@helcom.fiTel: +358 40 523 8988Jonatan Lykke-OlesenPress and Communication
DepartmentNature Agency, Ministry of the EnvironmentCopenhagen,
DenmarkE-mail: jolyk@nst.dkTel: +45 41 11 22 84  Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually
referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of
the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union, working to protect
the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution,
including response to spills and clean and safe shipping. HELCOM governs a legal
treaty from 1974, “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the
Baltic Sea Area,” aka the Helsinki Convention High-level representatives attending the press
conference:Ms. Ida AukenMinister of the Environment, DenmarkMs. Keit Pentus-RosimannusMinister of the Environment,
EstoniaMr. Karl FalkenbergDirector General, DG Environment,
European CommissionMr. Ville NiinistöMinister of the Environment,
FinlandMr. Fritz HolzwarthDeputy Director-General, Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety,
GermanyMr. Edmunds SprūdžsMinister of Environmental
Protection and Regional Development, LatviaMr. Almantas PetkusVice-Minister of the Environment,
LithuaniaMr. Stanisław GawłowskiVice-Minister of the
Environment, PolandMr. Nuritdin Inamov Director of International
Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Russian
FederationMs. Lena EkMinister of the Environment, Sweden

The high-level representatives from all nine Baltic coastal states and EU will gather to discuss priorities and agree on actions for improving the Baltic Sea marine environment, along with observer organizations, financing institutes and other stakeholder

A recently released
on climate change in the Baltic Sea area looks into historical and more
recent changes in the region’s climate and changes that are projected
to take place in the future. The new assessment is an important
contribution to the ,
to be held next Thursday in Copenhagen, Denmark. Climate is an
important controlling factor for the marine ecosystem. The report
examines possible future changes in the Baltic Sea and explains what
future climate change may mean for the protection of the sea. he
report also contains proposals for action to counteract the expected
negative impacts from climate change on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. This
has been done to follow-up the needs for more stringent and
supplementary actions due to climate change indicated by the HELCOM 2007
and 2010 Ministerial Meetings Highlights from the report:-        The Baltic Sea region is warming faster than the Earth as a whole. On average since the late 19th
century the increase in annual average surface air temperature has been
0.11˚C per decade in the northern Baltic and 0.08˚C in the southern
Baltic compared to the global average of 0.05˚C per decade. The warming
is anticipated to continue-        Annual average sea-surface water temperature has increased
by up to 1˚C per decade since 1990 and a further increase of 2 to 4˚C
is projected near the end of this century. There will be a drastic
decrease in the amount of sea-ice cover and the length of the ice season
in the Baltic Sea if the warming continues as expected-        Precipitation during the past century has tended to increase in winter and spring
in the Baltic Sea region. Model simulations indicate that winter
precipitation could continue to increase during this century. Patterns
of river runoff tend to change considerably-        The volume of snow in the region is expected to decrease, particularly in the southern half of the region-        Sea-surface salinity may decrease
and the change may be largest in the region of the Danish Straits, and
small in the northern and eastern Baltic, and the smallest in the
Bothnian Bay-        Surface sea level projections
are associated with considerable uncertainty: mid-range scenarios
project a 0.6 m and high-end scenarios a 1.1 m sea-level rise over this
century-        Acidification that stems from increased CO
concentrations in the atmosphere has been slightly offset by an
increase in alkalinity; the decrease of 0.15 pH units expected for
marine systems from the increased atmospheric CO concentrations has been diminished by roughly 0.03 units due to increased alkalinity from the catchment area-        Changes in ecosystem structure and functioning
are expected as a result of climate change, warming in particular. Such
changes would include shifts in the ranges of species and distribution
of habitats, as well as a decrease of oxygen in the water-        Proposed actions to buffer the Baltic Sea ecosystem against the expected negative changes:
reduction of nutrient inputs to the maximum allowable levels, overall
reduction of human pressures stemming from activities such as shipping,
fisheries and construction activities, and lastly, the report proposes
strengthening of the network of marine protected areas so that it will
ensure a safe space for species and habitats he
previous assessment of climate change in the Baltic Sea Area was
released in 2007 (HELCOM BSEP No. 111) and the broader technical book,
Assessment of Climate Change for the Baltic Sea Basin, in 2008,
published by Springer. The current assessment builds on and extends the
previous assessment, and summarizes the current state of knowledge he report is a result of close collaboration between HELCOM and , the successor programme to .
It is based on the Second Assessment of Climate Change for the Baltic
Sea which is to be released in 2014. The material used for this
assessment has been produced by more than 120 experts from the Baltic
Sea region within the framework of BALTEX/Baltic Earth. The proposals
for action stem from the work of HELCOM ownload the report   * *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 more information, please contact:Ms. Maria LaamanenProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 46 850 9198Skype: helcom101E-mail:  #160Ms. Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail:

The Baltic Sea region is warming faster than the Earth as a whole, states a recent HELCOM report on climate change. The assessment looks into past changes and future projections in the region’s climate.

​23 September 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark – Today and tomorrow, more details for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration will be put into place during the 43rd Heads of Delegation Meeting. For smoother follow-up for anyone interested in stronger commitments for a healthier Baltic Sea, several key documents have been collected since June in a , related to the regional Ministers’ negotiations which will climax in the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark.In the Meeting, the members of the Baltic Sea Marine Environment Protection Commission (), formed by the nine coastal countries and the EU, will continue to finalize the proposed text of the , to be as concise and clear as possible. The Declaration will cover a wide selection of topics covering biodiversity and ecosystem services, eutrophication, hazardous substances, clean and safer shipping, preparedness and response to pollution at sea and on the shore, along with monitoring, assessment and marine knowledge. Status of the implementation of the 2007 HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan has been the basis for proposing any issues to be addressed by the Ministerial Meeting.The new, updated targets for reducing nutrient inputs to the Baltic Sea, and their country-wise allocations, continue to be a major issue in the negotiations. Progress has been made in addressing the complex issue on transboundary pollution inputs, while aiming to share the burden of the needed pollution reduction in a fair and mutually agreed manner, both within the Baltic Sea countries and from sources outside the HELCOM area. The new proposed limits for nutrient inputs result from several years’ work supported significantly by the Baltic Nest Institute in Sweden and involving national experts in the HELCOM countries.After the Meeting, every document, unless unusual exceptions occur, can be accessed at the [Heads of Delegation (HELCOM HOD) > Heads Of Delegation (HODS) > HOD 43, 2013]. No log-in is needed. * * *Note for editors: will be held on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Ministers of the Environment of the nine Baltic coastal states and the EU Environment Commissioner will gather to discuss the status and the future of the Baltic Sea marine environment – reviewing the progress in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007–2021), and setting priorities for action. The outcome of the 2013 Meeting is expected to revolve around the still unsatisfactory status of the Baltic Sea; the ecosystem approach as the basis for blue and green growth, the opportunities for more coherent policies and implementation, as well as committing to do more for a healthier Baltic Sea.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. HELCOM has worked since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, including response to spills and clean and safe shipping in the region. HELCOM is the governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention.* * *For further information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 E-mail: johanna.laurila@helcom.fi Skype: helcom70 

Today and tomorrow, more details for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration will be put into place during the 43rd Heads of Delegation Meeting.

​At the eve of the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting, new website has been launched at the same familiar url, . The HELCOM Meeting portal will, for the time being, continue as before in the address . The website contents will expand over the next weeks to cover all HELCOM working areas and beyond. The new section ‘Action areas’ provides a new window to HELCOM. 

At the eve of the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting, new website has been launched at the same familiar url, www.helcom.fi

 4 September 2013 – , of which is a partner and a member of a steering
group, has recently published a in which new recommendations are proposed for improving the
environmental condition of the Baltic Sea. HELCOM brought to the cluster the
knowledge and expertise obtained through the , , and projects. The cluster has acted
as a platform to harvest some most meaningful outcomes of a few major regional
projects, to effectively feed into the main objectives of the HELCOM’s Baltic
Sea Action Plan and, more specifically, to provide input to the The report “Sustainable resource management for a healthy
Baltic Sea” is released as a result of the work done under Baltic Impulse – a
cluster of fifteen partners representing nine environmental projects running
under the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013. All the partner projects try to
define and find ways to mitigate the environmental impact of different
anthropogenic pressures on the Baltic Sea, and to revise the common management
actions. The aim of the cluster is to ensure further use of outcomes of the
partner projects and to increase their visibility. Thus, both the
recommendations proposed by the partners of Baltic Impulse and accompanying more
extensive cross-project summaries draw on the knowledge and experience obtained
through the project work. Baltic Impulse will finalise in September 2013 after
one year of operationThe project recommendations, summarising the central points
of the work done in the cluster, constitute a vital part of the synthesis
report. They focus on two main areas: farm-based practices and public
management. As the ultimate goal, they envision a bio-based society with
conscious, well-informed and publicly involved farmers acting as responsible
managers, taking into account the environmental risks and possibilities embedded
in their agricultural practices.  Highlights of the reportAs a first thing to achieve a bio-based society, the cluster
partners suggest certain changes in public management with regard to farming,
especially focusing on the need for improved and more conscious planning as well
as increased involvement of the farmers. In particular, the Baltic Impulse
recommendations concern:Enhanced mapping of crucial parameters (e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus) for the long-time farm and public management.Popularisation of adequate risk assessment procedures.Implementation of the continuous farm advisory system.Active and knowledge-based involvement of the farmers in the betterment of the environmental state of the Baltic.Improvement of the governance frameworks to harmonise national practices and HELCOM requirements.The recommendations enlisted in the cluster’s synthesis
report describe also how the farmers should contribute to the protection of the
Baltic Sea. If advised and supported, they can apply environmentally sound
practices and far-sighted resource management on their farms. Advocated are
primarily:Good practices encompassing improved handling of fodder, fertiliser and, especially, manure.A radical alternation of the perception of manure, from waste into resource (“brown gold”).Refined treatment of manure, including e.g. retrieving and recirculation of nutrients that can lay the foundations for the bio-based society, integrating bioenergy production and improved nutrient management. The complete “Sustainable resource management for a healthy
Baltic Sea” report can be downloaded from A recent brochure, “Baltic Impulse – Saving the Baltic Sea
Waters” prepared by can be downloaded from ** is a cluster of the following nine environmental projects
running under Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013:Baltic Compass Baltic Deal Baltic Manure Beras Implementation COHIBA PURE PRESTO SMOCS Waterpraxis  * * Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually
referred to as the Helsinki Commission HELCOM, is an
intergovernmental organisation of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the
European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from
all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the regionHELCOM is the governing body of the legal treaty from 1974,
“Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area,”
also known as the Helsinki Convention * * *For further information, please contact:Ms Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel:
+358 (0)40 5238988E-mail: Ms Kinga PolynczukCommunication Assistant (EU-Baltic
Impulse)HELCOMTel: +358 207 412 646E-mail:

Baltic Impulse cluster, of which HELCOM is a partner and a member of a steering group, has recently published a synthesis report in which new recommendations are proposed for improving the environmental condition of the Baltic Sea.

3 September 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark – The
members of the Baltic Sea Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM),
formed by the nine coastal countries and the EU, have today started their 42nd
Heads of Delegation Meeting particularly focusing on the precise contents of the
2013 Ministerial Declaration, set to be adopted in exactly one month. The
Declaration will cover a wide selection of topics covering biodiversity and
ecosystem services, eutrophication, hazardous substances, shipping, preparedness
and response to pollution at sea, along with monitoring, assessment and marine
knowledgeOne of the major issues of the Meeting is related to new and
updated targets for reducing nutrient inputs to the Baltic Sea in order to reach
the Baltic Sea not affected by eutrophication. The new proposed limits for
nutrients inputs are the result of a few years of work supported significantly
by the Baltic Nest Institute in Sweden and involving national experts in the
HELCOM countries. The Meeting will be an important stepping stone towards
reaching a Ministerial agreement on sharing the burden of the needed pollution
reduction between the Baltic Sea countries and also reflecting the reduction
potential from sources outside the HELCOM area. The most recent data on
pollution inputs to the Baltic Sea, included in the Pollution Load Compilation
5.5 report, will give insight into the progress achieved so far by the countries
in cutting nutrient loadsThe concise thematic assessment on the Eutrophication status
of the Baltic Sea 2007–2011 will also be discussed in the Meeting as a major
background document for the Ministers. The report states that the inputs of
nutrients to the Baltic Sea have decreased since the late 1980s. However, nearly
the entire open sea area is still affected by eutrophication except for the
Bothnian Bay. Trends for the whole Baltic Sea show that currently, the level of
nutrient inputs equals the levels of loads in the early 1960s. However, despite
the reductions in inputs, the concentrations of algal biomasses and nutrients
have not declined accordinglyAs a part of the Ministerial documents under the section on
biodiversity and ecosystem services, an overview report on the network of Baltic
Sea Protected Areas will be addressed. The network of protected areas continues
its expansion and there are more management plans, also in force, for such
areas. However, both ecological coherence and the enlargement of the network in
off-shore areas are yet to meet the targets set in 2010The HELCOM-VASAB Working Group on maritime spatial planning
has proven to be an effective forum to discuss the high and rapidly increasing
demand for maritime space and the potential to plan its future. The Heads of
Delegation are expected to endorse a Baltic roadmap for maritime spatial
planning 2013–2020, for adoption by the Ministerial Meeting. Equally proposed is
the draft HELCOM Recommendation on e-navigation solutions in order to enhance
safety of navigation and protection of the Baltic Sea regionAnother draft Recommendation, to be discussed at policy level
concerns reduction of discharges from marine and fresh water aquaculture. Follow
up on joint activities by Poland and Finland related to phosphogypsum waste
piles in Poland is also in the Meeting agenda, based on new information that has
recently become available  * *Note for editors: will be held on 3 October 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Ministers of the Environment of the nine Baltic coastal states and the EU
Environment Commissioner will gather to discuss the status and the future of the
Baltic Sea marine environment – reviewing the progress in implementing the
Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007–2021), and setting priorities for action. The
outcome of the 2013 Meeting is expected to revolve around the still
unsatisfactory status of the Baltic Sea; the ecosystem approach as the basis for
blue and green growth, the opportunities for more coherent policies and
implementation, as well as committing to do more for a healthier Baltic Sea 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. HELCOM has worked
since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources
of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. HELCOM is the
governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of
the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention  * For further information:All the Meeting documents [Heads Of Delegation (HELCOM
HOD/HOD 42, 2013] can be accessed by 5 September 2013, without any log-in, at The ongoing negotiation process towards HELCOM Ministerial
Declaration can be followed at: Contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel : +358 40 523 8988E-mail : Skype: helcom70

The members of the Baltic Sea Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), formed by the nine coastal countries and the EU, have today started their 42nd Heads of Delegation Meeting.

​Regional Ministers will discuss the status and future of the Baltic Sea marine
environment in Octobe30 August 2013 (HELCOM Information Services) – Close
follow-up of the intensifying negotiations leading to the 2013 HELCOM
Ministerial Declaration is now easy for any member of the public through the
dedicated webpages at .
The Declaration will be the outcome of the gathering of all HELCOM Ministers to
review the progress in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan and set
priorities for action. Secretariat of the Baltic Sea Marine Environment
Protection Commission () uploads new as soon as they are formally agreed on by all the Contracting
Parties, consisting of all the nine Baltic coastal nations and the EU. The 2013
Ministerial Declaration will be adopted in the high-level Meeting in Copenhagen
on 3 October ll relevant information is found in the Ministerial Meeting
webpages. The associated documents are divided into three sections for easier
reference: the ones for adoption by the Ministers; major outcome documents
which are decided on by every HELCOM member; and other relevant recent reports
which are closely linked to the Declaration under negotiation ore detailed information will be added to the Ministerial
Meeting webpages as soon as confirmed and available. The pages provide the best
available information, to assist the HELCOM members in comprehensive evaluation
of the progress in the implementation of , and reaching the commonly
agreed goals for a healthier Baltic Sea ELCOM Ministerial Meeting will be held on 3 October 2013 in
Copenhagen, Denmark. The Ministers of the Environment of the nine Baltic coastal
states and the EU Environment Commissioner will gather to discuss the status and
the future of the Baltic Sea marine environment – reviewing the progress in
implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan (2007– 2021), and setting priorities for
action. The outcome of the 2013 Meeting is expected to revolve around the still
unsatisfactory status of the Baltic Sea; the ecosystem approach as the basis for
blue and green growth, the opportunities for more coherent policies and
implementation, as well as committing to do more for a healthier Baltic Sea  * *Note for editors:The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually
referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of
the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union. HELCOM has worked
since 1974 to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources
of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. HELCOM is the
governing body of the “Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of
the Baltic Sea Area,” more usually known as the Helsinki Convention* * For further information:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel:
+358 40 523 8988E-mail: Skype:
helcom70

Regional Ministers will discuss the status and future of the Baltic Sea marine environment in October