Category: RESPONSE

​​​​​National marine pollution response authorities from the Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union wrapped up yesterday the annual of the HELCOM on preparedness and response (HELCOM Response).The Meeting was hosted by EU Directorate General ECHO in Brussels, Belgium, and chaired by Ms. Heli Haapasaari, Finland, Chair of HELCOM Response.”It is important that the Response group reviews the performance requirements based on the changing maritime traffic amount and ship sizes. It is also delightful to hear that many Contracting Parties are in the process to acquire new vessels and other response equipment to enhance the regional response capacity”, says the Chair of Response, Heli Haapasaari.HELCOM is actively promoting that its Member States establish bi- or multilateral agreements with their neighbours in order to provide stronger cooperation between the neighbouring countries. At the moment​, nine such local response agreements have been signed and ratified in the Baltic Sea area.The meeting divided the Baltic Sea into sub-regions for the purposes of response to pollution incidents. Such sub-divisions of the Baltic Sea will be used when defining marine pollution risks and for developing corresponding joint response capacity in areas with high risks of spills. The draft map of four Baltic response sub-regions will be further defined by the end of June and be the basis for definitions of minimum sub-regional response capacity during the coming year.The current Baltic set-up, based on HELCOM Recommendation (), builds on recommendations of a minimum national response capacity in each Baltic Sea coastal state taken alone. Currently the capacity is considered adequate if the capacity of responding to spills of 1,000-5,000 tons is in place within three days from the accident (Rec. ).The need to raise these target spill sizes has emerged with the increase in size of ships.Other topics on the agenda included exchange of Marine Pollution Report (POLREP) messages; revision of all three HELCOM Response manuals; drafting of response related indicators and well as follow up of Ministerial Meeting decisions. All the documents will be public after the Meeting.* * * 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 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. works to ensure swift national and international response to maritime pollution incidents and that in case of an accident the right equipment is available and routines are in place to respond immediately in cooperation with neighbouring states. The Group also coordinates the aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes to provide a complete picture of sea-based pollution around the Baltic, and to help identify suspected polluters. The meetings of the HELCOM Response​ Group have been held regularly among all Baltic Sea countries and EU for over thirty years.The European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), formerly known as the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, is the ‘s department for overseas and for . * * * For more information, please contact:Heli Haapasaari Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) Chair of HELCOM Response Group Tel: +358 40 1793050 E-mail: heli.haapasaari(at)environment.fiHermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi

Sub-divisions of the Baltic Sea will be used when defining marine pollution risks and for developing corresponding joint response capacity in high-risk areas for spills.

​Better reporting on harmful discharges other than oil from ships to the Baltic Sea is discussed by the HELCOM on aerial surveillance, continuing its 2-day annual meeting in Sopot, Poland. The main focus of the Baltic aerial surveillance cooperation has traditionally been on detection of illegal discharges of mineral oil, while more systematic reporting on other harmful substances observed from air would also be needed. Photo: Netherlands Coast GuardThe group also continues to develop the pressure indicator of oil spills affecting the marine environment. This is a part of the larger HELCOM process of holistically assessing the Baltic Sea, not succeeding without solid information not just about the status but also about pressures towards the environment and the human activities behind it. The oil spill indicator, one of the many expecting finalization in June 2015, will be based on the data on illegal oil spills collected since the 1980’s.   In addition, the meeting will plan for the next pollution control operations. For having a realistic estimate of the total number of oil spills discharged into the Baltic Sea during a randomly selected period, Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operations (CEPCO) are organized at least twice a year within the HELCOM framework. These high-intensity operations vary in length and are from time to time organized jointly with the North Sea countries. The meeting will discuss for the next CEPCOs, for which the timing is kept strictly confidential until the operations are over.  Moreover, the group is in charge of compiling the annual report on aerial surveillance activities in the Baltic Sea in 2014, expecting soon its official release after the review of the expert group.  * * *Note for editors:The HELCOM Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance () works to implement the aerial surveillance cooperation, as agreed on by all the HELCOM parties.Cooperation on Baltic aerial surveillance was established within the HELCOM framework in the 1980s, requiring the Member States to conduct regular surveillance outside their coastlines. This includes developing and applying, individually or in cooperation, surveillance activities covering the Baltic Sea area.The purpose of aerial surveillance is to detect spills of oil and other harmful substances which can threaten the marine environment. 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.Data on illegal discharges observed during national aerial surveillance activities of the coastal states in the Baltic Sea area are compiled by HELCOM every year. * * *The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention.* * *For more information, please contact:Laura Meski Assistant Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 162 2053 Skype: helcom82 E-mail: laura.meski(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Reporting on harmful discharges other than oil from ships to the Baltic Sea is a key topic in the expert group meeting.

The Regional action plan for marine and the Recommendation
on the conservation of in the Baltic Sea are both expecting
adoption this week as the highest body of HELCOM, the Annual Meeting, convenes
in Helsinki, Finland. The delegates of the Contracting Parties of the Helsinki
Convention, representing the nine coastal Baltic countries as well as the EU,
will also address the on effective regional work between HELCOM and the
EU Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region, as the revision of the Action Plan of the
Strategy is about to be finalized soon.

 op-10 items found in the Baltic Sea as well as micro-plastics have special measures reserved in the marine litter action plan. Photo: Bo Eide/Flickr.

Marine litter is a growing concern globally as well as regionally, and the HELCOM Recommendation on Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter is the first comprehensive approach to the problem in the Baltic Sea region. The HELCOM commitment from 2013 is to achieve a significant quantitative reduction of marine litter by 2025, compared to 2015.  The plan integrates the actions required at regional level as well as the national actions by countries according to their needs. Special measures are addressed to the top-10 items found in the Baltic Sea as well micro-plastics. The document also highlights the importance of environmental education and recommends coordinated monitoring programmes for the common marine litter indicators. The Marine litter action plan, to be successfully implemented, will require the countries’ leadership for specific actions as well as wide involvement of stakeholders in the region. Close cooperation with other Regional Seas Conventions, and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, has also been brought up as a way to realize a wide ranging measures. Moreover, adequate protection for the will take shape after the expected adoption of the new HELCOM Recommendation. The new Recommendation follows up on the critical situation of many Baltic Sea species as concluded in the 2013 HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea in danger of becoming extinct (). Preparation of a Recommendation on the Conservation of is expected to begin shortly. The Annual Meeting, held on 3-4 March, will also follow up on the recent to institutionalize the cooperation under HELCOM policies and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, for better defining the complementarity of the roles and specific tasks. As both in HELCOM and under EUSBSR there are shared action areas, more systematic cooperation will save resources and add to the efficiency in reaching the mutual goals. Other key topics under negotiations:-          Finalization of the HELCOM Recommendation on sustainable aquaculture. Substituting the existing HELCOM Recommendation (25/4) aims to limit potential environmental impacts of aquaculture activities such as the introduction of non-indigenous species, ecological and genetic impacts on wild fish stocks from unintended releases of farmed species, nutrient pollution, as well as introduction of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals. Aquaculture, including fish farming, is a growing food production industry that continues to have large potential for green technologies and environmentally friendly production methods, both in marine and fresh waters.-          Adoption of the Revised HELCOM Guidelines for Management of Dredged Material at Sea.-          Adopting the revised HELCOM Recommendation 25/7 on safety of winter navigation in the Baltic Sea Area, including a new harmonization of approximate correspondence of ice classes-          Adopting the revised HELCOM Recommendation 34E/4 “Airborne surveillance with remote sensing equipment in the Baltic Sea area”-          Finalization of a work plan to improve regional coherence, in the implementation of different marine policies to reach Good Environmental Status –          Cooperation with other Regional Seas Conventions and organizations – newest developments * * *Note for editorsThe 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 more information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Marine litter, Recommendation on threatened species and the revision of the EU Regional Strategy Action Plan and HELCOM are top items of the HELCOM Annual Meeting.

The cooperation between HELCOM and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is expected to smoothen.  For the first time, a dedicated session with the representatives from relevant EUSBSR Priority Areas and Horizontal Actions was successfully organized as a part of this week’s of HELCOM Heads of Delegation representing all the Baltic coastal countries as well as the EU. The full meeting is now available online, listing all the issues addressed and decided on in the meeting for the benefit of the Baltic marine environment.Improving cooperation in practice was the key topic of HELCOM session with representatives from the EU Strategy for the Baltic sea Region. Photo: Dodik Putro.Concrete proposals on why and how to improve the synergies between HELCOM and EUSBSR have been listed in the meeting outcome. The shared goal would be to better communicate the policy directions and needs by HELCOM, which then can be met with and supported by the EUSBSR work and projects. The meeting recommended practical ways for better use of the expertise of HELCOM groups. Using the existing forums, co-chairing, back-to-back meetings, opportunity for involving Russian experts, and helping HELCOM countries in tapping into EU funding were also mentioned as practical solutions for more effective regional cooperation. The timing for the joint HELCOM-EUSBSR meeting was particularly adept, as the HELCOM streamlining process has been completed few months ago while the Action Plan of the EUSBSR is currently under revision, expecting launch at the Strategy’s Annual Forum in mid-June 2015. As per other results of the Heads of Delegation meeting, HELCOM “sub-hot spot” No. 18.1 “Construction of new sewer connections” was deleted, concerning the waste water treatment system of St. Petersburg. A large-scale environmental project for the construction of the northern tunnel collector of the city of five million inhabitants was finalized in October 2013, preventing the discharge of untreated waste water into the Neva River by approximately 122 million m3 per year. Since then, 98.4% of waste water has been estimated as adequately treated in St. Petersburg. HELCOM originally included 162 of the region’s significant sources of pollution, out of which over two thirds have since been mitigated.   Adequate reception for passenger ships was also negotiated by the Meeting, being part of the larger process of complying with the Baltic’s status as a sewage special area as decided by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2011. The consultations for a joint notification on the adequacy of ports’ reception facilities will continue via correspondence early next year. The meeting was held on 9-10 December 2014 and it was chaired by the current Estonian Chair of HELCOM, Mr. Harry Liiv. ..  * * * Note for editorsThe European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region () is the first macro-regional strategy in Europe. It aims at reinforcing cooperation within this large region in order to face several challenges by working together as well as promoting a more balanced development in the area. The Strategy also contributes to major EU policies and reinforces the integration within the area. The (HOD) of HELCOM usually meet few times a year. While the Annual Meeting of HELCOM remains the Commission’s highest decision-making body, the Heads of Delegation have a relatively high authority over most major issues.  The working structure of HELCOM, supported and administered by the Secretariat, comprises of the Helsinki Commission, the Heads of Delegation, and eight main working groups, together with tens of expert groups, correspondence groups and projects. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For more information, please contact:Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi​

For the first time, a dedicated session with the representatives from relevant EUSBSR areas was organized as a part of this week’s meeting of HELCOM Heads of Delegation.

The coastal
countries of the Baltic and North Seas, as well as the EU, are reviewing their jointly
agreed procedure for applying and granting exemptions under the IMO Ballast
Water Management Convention, at a starting today in Madrid, Spain.

Practical tests of the port sampling protocol, adopted as part of the Procedure
reviewed today, will help to improve cost-efficiency, scientific reliability and
comparability across regions. Photo: Riikka Puntila

The coastal
countries and EU originally developed the Joint Harmonized Procedure on such
exemptions during 2012–13 within the regional marine protection Commissions,
HELCOM and OSPAR, with active participation from ship owner organizations. The procedure
adopted in 2013 supplements the global exemption guidelines provided by IMO.The
procedure has by today been tested in practice in more than 13 ports in the
Baltic Sea, North Sea, Iberian Atlantic and the Great Lakes of North America. These
practical tests of the port sampling protocol, adopted as part of the Procedure,
will help to improve cost-efficiency, scientific reliability and comparability
across regions.The
sampling protocol is intended for use in ports in the Baltic, North-East
Atlantic and beyond, as the basis of risk assessments required by IMO as a
justification of an exemption.Today’s Meeting
will also consider revisions to the adopted criteria, and current list, of
harmful alien species – also called as “target species”. Defining and selecting
these target species is central for the outcome of risk assessments.This Fifth
Meeting of the joint HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Ballast Water Management is
chaired by Mr. Henrik Ramstedt (Sweden) and Mr. Manfred Rolke (Germany), and is
hosted by Puertos del Estado (Spain).. All documents will be public after the meeting * * *
Note for editorsThe Working Group of HELCOM, originally
established in 1975, 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. Its sub-groups
include the HELCOM-OSPAR on Ballast Water Management (regional dimensions of
implementing the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention), Expert group on
safety of , Working group for mutual exchange
and deliveries of Automatic Identification System () data, and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port
Reception Facilities (). The was set up by the 1992 OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the
Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which unified and updated the
1972 Oslo and 1974 Paris Conventions. It brings together the governments of
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom, together with the European Community. 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 marine environment of the Baltic Sea from and to ensure
safety of navigation in the region. Established in 1980, HELCOM is legally 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
ratified by the governments of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland,
Latvia, Lithuania, Russian Federation and Sweden, as well as the European Union.* * *
For more information, please contact:
Hermanni Backer
Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning
HELCOM
Tel:  +358 46 8509199
Skype: helcom02
E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna
Laurila
Information Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Criteria of target alien species and procedures for sampling in ports under review in today’s meeting.

​Major revisions of the internationally agreed procedures for marine pollution response in the Baltic Sea region, the HELCOM Response Manual, will be considered at the HELCOM Response Working   in Tallinn, beginning today.  The 3-day Meeting collects ministries and authorities with operational responsibilities on marine pollution preparedness and response in the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea and the EU. It will be chaired by Bernt Stedt, Swedish Coastguard. Changes considered to the
Response Manual this weekinclude a complete overhaul of
the sections on hazardous substances response. Photo: Swedish Coast GuardThe original on marine pollution incidents was adopted in 1983, based on a series of HELCOM Recommendations dealing with international warning, reporting, communication and command systems for the Baltic Sea region developed since the 1970s. These agreed operational procedures and best practices for the Baltic Sea are followed, exercised and revised on a regular basis by the coastal countries and the EU.  Today the Manual consists of three parts: on general issues, such as national contact information, procedures for alarm and requests for international assistance, aerial surveillance and financial aspects of international operations; on spills involving hazardous substances; and on response the shore. Changes considered to the Response Manual this week include the first drafting for a complete overhaul of the sections on hazardous substances response. Response to accidents involving not oil, but one of the many other hazardous substances transported in the region, involve a complex range of measures and procedures. Technological advances, such as instrumentation and new “safe platform” vessel designs, have been rapid during recent years, but also global experience from response incidents has accumulated.  Other parts of the Manual which will be looked at more closely include the procedures in situations where pollution has reached the shore. The international cooperation regarding on-shore response in the Baltic Sea has received recent attention from HELCOM. Last year, the coastal countries and the EU adopted a series of related amendments to the Helsinki Convention, the legal international basis of the HELCOM cooperation, as well as a new section (Volume III) of the Manual targeting on-shore response. The Meeting of the HELCOM Response group will also consider revisions to the minimum requirements and best practices for the aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea region carried out by the coastal countries. Other topics in the Meeting include national reports on recent response operations since the last meeting in January; a draft for a new HELCOM Recommendation on marine pollution incident reporting and requests for assistance; and the report of the HELCOM Balex Delta 2014 operational in Ventspils, Latvia.. All documents will be available after the meeting. * * *Note for editorsHELCOM has been in place since 1976 and works to ensure swift regional to maritime pollution incidents both oil products and other harmful substances. The Group also coordinates aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes, response on the shore, sub-merged hazardous objects. Sub-groups include the Expert working group on response on the , Informal working group on surveillance, oiled wildlife response and Expert group on environmental risks of hazardous objects. The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For more information, please contact:Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199Skype: helcom02E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Major revisions of the internationally agreed procedures for marine pollution response in the Baltic Sea region, the HELCOM Response Manual, will be considered at the Response meeting starting today.

​The current status of reception facilities for sewage, as well as their use, are among the region’s hot shipping topics considered at HELCOM meetings this fall. Key occasions include the annual HELCOM Maritime last week and the HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting, to take place 9-10 December 2014. he national contacts and industry and civil society observers in the maritime field have commented an update of the HELCOM report on current availability and use of sewage reception facilities in the Baltic Sea area. The revised version of the report is currently developed further based on recent information from the cruise industry, ports and national administrations. The 2014 version of the report will be released during spring 2015 inal agreement is yet to be reached when a submission to the IMO meeting is to take place, on the Baltic port reception facilities of sewage. Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Jan EkebomThe last week’s Maritime meeting in Riga, Latvia discussed the current status of the notification submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the sewage port reception facilities. Such a notification is needed in order to enforce the status of the Baltic Sea as a special area in terms of sewage from passenger ships, as agreed at IMO in 2011 inal agreement is yet to be reached when a submission to the IMO meeting is to take place, as three countries still wish to clarify uncertainties regarding the quality of sewage, implications to small ferries or address the reception capacities in specific ports ccording to the Maritime meeting , discussions on the submission to the IMO will continue during the upcoming months within a dedicated correspondence group led by Sweden. Interim outcome of the correspondence will be considered by the HELCOM Heads of Delegation meeting in December ther important shipping issues discussed within HELCOM during the autumn and early winter include the coastal state preparations for implementing the new stricter limits to sulphur in bunker fuel to be applied in the Baltic Sea 1.1.2015, summarized in a recent interim ; revision of the list of HELCOM target species to be used in the agreed risk assessment related to exemptions from ballast water management according to the IMO ballast water management convention; strengthening regional cooperation on alternative fuels; updating HELCOM Recommendations on ship-to-ship and bunkering transfer operations; as well as regional guidance on under keel clearance he remaining maritime related HELCOM expert meetings for 2014 include (Ballast Water Management, 1–2 December 2014) and (Safety of Navigation, 3 December 2014 Copenhagen, Denmark) as well as the (Response to spills at sea and on the shore, 25–27 November 2014, Tallinn, Estonia), (sub-group on response to spills on the shore, 24 November 2014, Tallinn, Estonia)  * * Note for editorsThe 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 international shipping regulations. Sub-groups include HELCOM-OSPAR Task Group on Water Management, Expert group on safety of , Working group for mutual exchange and deliveries of Automatic Identification System () data, and HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (). ELCOM Group works to ensure swift regional response to maritime pollution incidents both oil products and other harmful substances. The Group also coordinates aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes, response on the shore, sub-merged hazardous objects. Sub-groups include Expert working group on response on the , Informal working group on , and Expert group on environmental risks of hazardous objects 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 more information, please contact: Hermanni Backe Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Plannin HELCO Tel:  +358 46 850919 Skype: helcom0 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.f ohanna Lauril Information Secretar HELCO Tel: +358 40 523 898 Skype: helcom7 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The current status of reception facilities for sewage, as well as their use, are among the region’s hot shipping topics considered at HELCOM meetings this fall.

Work to assess what potentially hazardous waste and wrecks lay beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea kick-starts today in a HELCOM expert in Szczecin, Poland. More precisely, the product will be a one off HELCOM thematic assessment on environmental risks of hazardous submerged objects covering contaminated wrecks, lost or dumped dangerous goods – e.g. containers – and other objects.  The work builds on and expands the outcome of the completed HELCOM work on dumped chemical munitions, summarized in a published in 2013. ‘Chemical Munitions Dumped in the Baltic Sea’ compiles the latest available knowledge on dumping chemical munitions in the past, the state of these materials, and the potential threat to the marine environment and humans. In the view of the increasing utilization of the seafloor for economic purposes – e.g., offshore wind farms, sea cables, pipelines – the risk of encountering hazardous submerged objects is growing. The new expert group on environmental risks of hazardous submerged objects () will work mainly via correspondence but will also meet in person annually.  Documents will be public after the meeting. * * * 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 and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * * For further information, please contact:Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Work starts today for a HELCOM thematic assessment on environmental risks of hazardous submerged objects, such as contaminated wrecks, lost or dumped dangerous goods (e.g. containers) and other objects.

The Baltic manual on response to chemical marine pollution is under review by a dedicated HELCOM task group meeting today. Such joint regional procedures have been in place since 1991 to supplement the overall joint framework on pollution response applied by the Baltic Sea countries since 1983. There is currently a need of revision due to global technological and operational developments in the field of chemical responseThe review of the “HELCOM Manual on Response to accidents at sea involving spills of hazardous substances and loss of packaged dangerous goods”, to be completed by the end of 2016 is called for by the decision in the HELCOM 2013 At today’s Meeting the task group will consider the first draft of the revised manual, provided by Finland based on the first meeting of the group last May, as well as intersessional consultations. The Meeting will also consider the next steps in the process.The HELCOM task group meeting is organized back to back with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) workshop on chemical marine pollution to tap into the latest developments in the field  – all documents will be public after the meetin * * * Note for editorsHELCOM works to ensure swift national and international response to maritime pollution incidents and that in case of an accident the right equipment is available and routines are in place to respond immediately in cooperation with neighbouring states. The group also coordinates the aerial surveillance of maritime shipping routes to provide a complete picture of sea-based pollution around the Baltic, and to help identify suspected polluters. The meetings of the Response group have been held regularly among all Baltic Sea countries and EU for over thirty years 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 more information, please contact:Hermanni Backer Professional Secretary for Maritime, Response and Maritime Spatial Planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The Baltic manual on response to chemical marine pollution is under review by a dedicated HELCOM task group meeting today, continuing the work applied since 1983.

​HELCOM’s international aerial surveillance operation over the Northern Baltic Sea ended today at 17:00 (CET +2hrs), completed despite thick fog at night time, 27 hours after the start. This year’s Coordinated Extended Pollution Control Operation (CEPCO North) was organized by the Estonian Police and Border Guard and no oil spills or other discharges from ships were detected. “The operation involved four specially equipped aircraft from four countries – Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Sweden. More support was provided by three participating vessels as well as through satellite surveillance from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).  The weather conditions had a major effect to the operation due to unpredictable fog, but nevertheless the overall cooperation went smoothly”, says Priit Pajusaar, CEPCO North 2014 coordinator and Police Captain from Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. Such high-intensity operations supplement the regular aerial control operations in the region which aim at creating a realistic picture of the level of compliance to the anti-pollution regulations in the Baltic area. The purpose is also to gather evidence of infringements and, if possible, to catch polluters red handed.  “Pollution surveillance has a substantial preventive effect on the illegal oil discharges. All HELCOM states should ensure sufficient support and funds for surveillance, in order to respect the HELCOM precautionary principle as well as the commitments of the Helsinki Convention through regular pollution control. Moreover, the persistent efforts of the HELCOM Response Group deserve credit for the decreasing trend not only in the number of oil discharges in the Baltic, but also in their volume,” says Harry Liiv,​​ Chair of HELCOM. Source: HELCOM. Click to enlargeSince the timing of the HELCOM CEPCOs is randomly selected, the operation is intense and strictly confidential until the entire operation is over, it reflects the realistic situation of discharges in the Baltic Sea.  CEPCO operations have several objectives, such as to survey continuously high density traffic areas with a high risk of illegal discharges; identify and catch the polluters; practise communication between aircraft, patrol vessels and the Command Centres involved; improve cooperation between countries; and exchange experiences between crews. * * *Note to Editors:HELCOM member states carry out several cross-border surveillance operations annually.  CEPCO flights (Mini CEPCO at least 12 hours; CEPCO at least 24 hours; Super CEPCO several days) contribute to the Baltic Sea marine protection according to HELCOM’s principles. The operation supports national aerial surveillance by detecting polluters who might not be otherwise identified. The intensity of CEPCOs enable a realistic estimation of the total number of oil spills over the Baltic Sea during a randomly selected time. In addition, helicopters, patrol vessels as well as the EMSA CleanSeaNet oil spill detection service enhance the coverage. In 2013, a total of 130 mineral oil spills were detected in the Baltic Sea during aerial surveillance, which is around the same as in the two previous years. The total estimated volume of detected discharges was lower than ever, with 11 m3. Alarmingly, the total hours of aerial surveillance in 2013 in the HELCOM area sank by 15 % from 2012. To reach the Baltic Sea Action Plan objective of no illegal spills in the Baltic Sea by 2021, there is a need for adequate surveillance also in the future by all HELCOM countries and especially as the number of observations of other harmful discharges than oil has increased. The Informal working group on aerial surveillance (), as part of the HELCOM RESPONSE cooperation is responsible for joint aerial surveillance as well as for co-ordination of the satellite based oil spill surveillance and evaluation of its results and operational effectiveness. Download here:  * * *, 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 region. HELCOM is 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:Priit PajusaarPolice Captain, Chief System OperatorPolice and Border Guard BoardBorder Guard Department / Aviation GroupTel: +372 614 9247; +372 5047805E-mail: priit.pajusaar(at)politsei.ee Hermanni BackerProfessional SecretaryMaritime, Response and Maritime Spatial PlanningHELCOMTel:  +358 46 8509199E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fi

HELCOM’s international operation over the Northern Baltic Sea ended today at 17:00hrs – no oil spills or other discharges from ships were detected.