Baltic Marine Environment
Protection Commission

Data

HELCOM collects data about the Baltic Sea into various different thematic databases and makes data available via online data portals and data services which are listed below. 

Data portals

Online platforms that provide access to datasets and data-related resources for users.

Databases

Organized collections of thematic data. Data is typically collected on an annual reporting schedule following regionally agreed reporting formats and quality assurance procedures.

Data services

Machine-to-machine interfaces that can be used to access specific databases.

Related Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) topics

Data portals

NameBSAP topic(s) DescriptionFeatures
HELCOM Map and Data Service (MADS) Contains all geospatial data used in HELCOM Assessments and reports.  Linked with HELCOM Metadata catalogue.• View
• Search
• Download
HELCOM Metadata Catalogue Contains metadata records of all geospatial data used in HELCOM Assessments and reports as well as in depth documentation of databases.  Linked with HELCOM MADS. • Metadata
• Download
BASEMAPSBasemaps provides access to maritime spatial planning (MSP) data in the Baltic Sea: ‘Input data,’ as a service from data sources, and ‘Output data,’ which is MSP plans sea uses. • View
• Metadata 
HELCOM Biodiversity data portalContains all macrospecies observations data made available by HELCOM Contracting Parties.• View
• Search
• Download
Shipping data platformProvides access to various shipping-related data collected by HELCOM within the Maritime and Response Working Groups, expert groups and related projects.• View
Ballast water DSTThe HELCOM/OSPAR Ballast Water Exemptions Decision Support Tool contains data on NIS species observations and port sampling.• View
• Search
• Download
HELCOM MPA PortalAccess point to relevant information on the Baltic Sea Protected Areas (HELCOM MPAs).• View
• Search
• Download

Databases

Name BSAP topic(s)DescriptionReporting
format
FeaturesHosted by
Oceanographic data (nutrients)Oceanographic monitoring data gathered by HELCOM Contracting Parties.Link• Online access
• Download 

ICES
Hazardous substances in marine environmentMonitoring data on concentrations of contaminants in biota, sediment and seawater.Link• Online access
• Download 

ICES
Biological community data (open sea)Monitoring data on abundance and biomass of open sea phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos and phytobenthos.Link (ENV3.2), 
PEG Biovolume
• Online access
• Download 

ICES
Biodiversity databaseHELCOM Biodiversity database contains macrospecies observations.• Online access
• Download 

HELCOM
Pollution Load Compilation (PLC)HELCOM PLC Database contains waterborne nutrient and contaminant discharges to the Baltic Sea. Link• Online access
• Download 
•Dashboard

BNI
Impulsive noise Impulsive noise events reported by HELCOM Contracting Parties.Link• Online access
• Download 

ICES
Continuous noiseContinuous low frequency sound monitored under the HELCOM programme in the Baltic seaLink• Online access
• Download 

ICES
Shipping AccidentsShipping accidents reported to EMSA/EMCIP and verified by HELCOM Maritime• Online access
• Download 
Dashboard
HELCOM

EMSA
Illegal oil spillsLocation and size of spills observed during aerial surveillance flights by HELCOM Contracting Parties• Online access
• Download 
Dashboard

HELCOM
Disposal sites of dredged materialDisposal and deposit sites of dredged material reported by HELCOM Contracting PartiesLink• Online access
• Download 

HELCOM
Radioactive substance in the environment (MORS Env)Observations from monitoring of environmental radioactivity in the Baltic SeaLink• Download
HELCOM
Radioactive discharges (MORS Discharge)Airborne and waterborne discharges resulting from nuclear facilities in the Baltic Sea and North Sea regionLink• Download
HELCOM

STUK

Data services

Data services that can be used to access HELCOM Databases as machine to machine interface are documented in HELCOM Metadata catalogue. Available service types are: 

  • OGC WFS 
  • OGC WMS 
  • ESRI ArcGIS Rest interface 

Tools

Software tools developed within HELCOM to be utilized in assessments are listed below and available from HELCOM Github repositories.

NameBSAP topic(s)DescriptionFeatures
SPIA desktop tool (GIThub)ArcGIS Pro toolbox to run the spatial pressure and impact assessment with any PL and EC data sets filling the requirements• Run assessment
SPIA online toolOnline tool for running the spatial pressure and impact assessment. The newest data sets and sensitivity scores are included in the tool, with links to metadata. Exploring results and backtracking them to the contributions of HA, PL and EC.  Downloading the result raster and statistics• Run assessment
• Explore results
• Metadata
• Download
Sufficiency of Measures (SOM)Python model developed at HELCOM to assess what kind of improvements in environmental state and pressures can be achieved with existing measures• Run assessment

Contacts

Mock Employee
Joni Kaitaranta

Senior Data Manager
+358 46 850 9206