Tag: Marine litter

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 first of a new HELCOM dealing with pressures from land to the Baltic Sea environment started today, to plan for the detailed work on mitigating nutrient and hazardous substance inputs as well as marine litter and underwater noise. Another key task is to improve follow-up on the HELCOM nutrient reduction , first adopted in 2007, with clear targets per country for less nutrient inputs to the sea. The aim is to increase transparency in monitoring progress achieved by each HELCOM member. The work has continued since the update of the nutrient reduction scheme, jointly approved in the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial as a result from a highly complex calculation process Excess nutrients cause eutrophication which deteriorates the marine environment. Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Jan Ekebom & Mats Westerbom.One issue in need of further development for the group are core pressure indicators to complement the ongoing work to develop and agree on a common set of core indicators to describe Good Environmental Status and pressures on the marine environment. Such pressure indicators should link to human activities causing the releases of hazardous substances, and thus helping to scope which hazardous substances should be given priority and where exactly HELCOM can create added value comparing to existing regulations. Accordingly, the group will discuss where further joint or coordinated measures might be needed.Progress so far to mitigate marine litter in the Baltic Sea will be discussed, as after a fruitful workshop last week the more detailed draft for a regional action plan is currently consulted by each nation. The work is on schedule hence the deadline for a March 2015 release for the plan holds ast but not least, the Meeting will discuss underwater noise and the first steps of implementation of the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Declaration commitment related to mitigation of the negative impact of noise on the marine environment. An expert team is prepared to start hands-on work in a on 26 November. . All documents will be public after the meeting. * * * Note for editorsThe working group on reduction of pressures from the Baltic Sea catchment area (tentative name: ) focuses on nutrient and hazardous substance inputs from diffuse sources and point sources on land, including the follow-up of the implementation of the HELCOM nutrient reduction scheme. The group ensures the necessary technical underpinning as well as develops solutions to the policy-relevant questions and needs. Marine litter and underwater noise are also coordinated by this group. 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:Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The first meeting of a new HELCOM working group dealing with pressures from land to the Baltic Sea started today, to plan the detailed work for reducing nutrients and hazardous substances.

Regional action on in the Baltic Sea took major leaps forward in a regional which finished yesterday in Stralsund, Germany. All the HELCOM members, including the nine coastal countries as well as the EU, have agreed to develop a regional action plan for marine litter by 2015. The second working session has now produced a more defined draft action plan, soon ready for national consultation rounds before finalization and
expected adoption in March 2015. Photo: WWF Poland/Oskar SkumialImportantly, participants from other Regional Seas Conventions – Black Sea, Mediterranean and the North-East Atlantic – shared experiences with HELCOM experts in developing and implementing a regional action plan for marine litter. The informal meeting discussed interregional challenges as well as ways for synergies in implementation of action plans on litter, providing a strong basis for developing measures across the regions.  The commitment for the regional action plan for marine litter was sealed in the 2013 HELCOM , with the aim of achieving a significant quantitative reduction of marine litter by 2025, compared to 2015. The plan ought to enable inter alia concrete measures for the prevention and reduction of marine litter from its main sources, develop common indicators and associated targets related to quantities, composition, sources and pathways of marine litter and to identify the socio-economic and biological impacts of marine litter. Marine litter is a rapidly growing concern at sea and shores alike, having a large impact on the environment. Marine litter is not only an aesthetic problem but incurs socioeconomic costs, threatens human health and safety and has impacts on marine organisms. Consumer behaviour is considered as the most important reason for marine litter in the Baltic Sea: 48% of marine litter in the Baltic Sea is estimated to originate from household‐related waste, including sanitary waste, while waste generated by recreational or tourism activities would add up to 33%.  (MARINE LITTER 2-2014). All documents will be public after the meeting. * * * 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:Marta Ruiz Project Coordinator HELCOM Tel: +358 40 6472424 Skype: helcom59 E-mail: marta.ruiz(at)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Regional action plan on marine litter in the Baltic Sea took major leaps forward in a regional workshop, with strengthened synergies with other sea regions.

An online one-stop-shop – HELCOM – is now launched for all the coordinated monitoring of the Baltic marine environment.  The Manual is a web based compilation of what is monitored, where, when and how, enabling access to timely information on the state of the sea thus providing basis for the best decisions on environmental measures and policies. Moreover, the new Manual makes a link to HELCOM indicators developed to assess the progress towards Good Environmental Status as well as supports directly the reporting of Monitoring programmes to the EU, for the Contracting Parties also being EU member states.The new HELCOM Monitoring Manual translates the general principles of the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment revised in 2013 into concrete specifications and requirements. Monitoring of the state of the environment and pressures on the environment are all incorporated into the Manual, to better accomplish the HELCOM requirement of regular assessment of the status of the Baltic Sea. The new product is a milestone in the regionally coordinated implementation of both HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.  Structure of the Monitoring Manual. Click to enlargeThe Monitoring Manual provides information on 11 main monitoring programmes that are grouped according to 16 thematic programme topics, while the most detailed information is under 40 sub-programmes. The level of regional coordination currently varies between topics while it is the ambition to develop HELCOM coordinated monitoring for all programmes. By 2015, the Monitoring Manual will integrate existing HELCOM manuals and guidelines, for example HELCOM COMBINE, while at present they are still available in their current form.  Monitoring is a well-established function of
the , the founding legal treaty of HELCOM first
signed four decades ago. Coordinated monitoring of physical, chemical
and biological variables of the open sea of the Baltic Sea has been
carried out since 1979, while periodical environmental assessment
reports have been published since the 1980s. Revising the existing as well as establishing new monitoring is a continuous process, which started in 2014 and will continue in the upcoming years. More than a hundred experts have contributed to the HELCOM Monitoring Manual, including the EU co-funded project (2013-2015) managed through HELCOM Secretariat.  * * *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:Ulla Li ZweifelProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel. +358 46 850 9198Skype: helcom64E-mail: ullali.zweifel(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The HELCOM Monitoring Manual is now launched – a web based compilation of what is monitored, where, when and how, enabling access to timely information on the state of the Baltic Sea.

New HELCOM main working groups are now decided on, to better meet with the present needs and challenges in the governments’ efforts to protect the Baltic marine environment, and to improve the work flow and overall effectiveness of handling the urgently important task. The decision taken by the HELCOM Heads of Delegation, during a ending this afternoon in Helsinki, Finland, completes the process of modernizing the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – HELCOM – by establishing an upgraded working structure for HELCOM.  “It is exciting to witness the new beginning for HELCOM and finalize the lengthy streamlining process, ending quite aptly during the 40th anniversary year of the Commission. The thorough journey has itself been rewarding and useful – the re-evaluation of HELCOM priorities, which reflect well the priorities of the Contracting Parties; the assessing of the many inter-linkages with other international frameworks; and making even better use of limited resources”, states HELCOM Chair Harry Liiv. The new main groups are designed to optimally match the HELCOM priorities. One of the new groups will address the pressures from human activities on land, including inputs of nutrients and hazardous substances, as well as marine litter and underwater noise. On the other hand, the development of a coherent holistic assessment of ecosystem health as well as ensuring an unbroken chain of monitoring, indicators and assessments will be under one umbrella group, which is, importantly, also dedicated for biodiversity protection and nature conservation as they remain a crucial part of HELCOM work.  Addressing maritime activities and response to pollution at sea and the shore continue as vital for HELCOM as before, not forgetting maritime spatial planning, sustainable agriculture practices and sustainable fisheries.  A special group GEAR will continue to ensure the coherent implementation of the ecosystem approach but also a harmonized approach between the HELCOM working groups.  * * *All HELCOM groups:Working Group related to reducing loads, emissions and anthropogenic dischargesThe new group will provide the necessary technical underpinning to the work on nutrient and hazardous substances inputs from diffuse sources and point sources on land, including to the follow-up of the implementation of the nutrient reduction scheme. It will focus on developing solutions to the policy-relevant questions and needs. The group will also have the coordination of marine litter and underwater noise in its portfolio. Working Group related to environmental assessments and nature protection The new subsidiary body will cover monitoring and assessment theme as well as nature conservation and biodiversity protection theme in HELCOM with a specific arrangement for its work, including meetings, in order to cater for the needs to efficiently cover both themes. Group on Sustainable Agricultural PracticesThe new group will deal with agriculture in relation to the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach and involve representatives from agriculture and environment authorities of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as EU and HELCOM Observers. It will provide a platform for agri-environmental policy measures and instruments and joint discussion on the Baltic agriculture in the context of the protection of the marine environment, in order to address nutrient inputs and emissions from agriculture. Group on Ecosystem based Sustainable FisheriesThe new group will deal with fisheries in relation to the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach. Moreover, the group will respond to the need to find solutions on how the sector could further contribute to reaching Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea by 2021. The group will involve representatives from fisheries and environment authorities of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as EU, and HELCOM Observers and others as appropriate. Group for the implementation of the ecosystem approach – GEARThe GEAR Group will work towards region-wide co-operation on all elements of national marine strategies, building both on national activities based on a legal framework and HELCOM’s work, such as HELCOM’s coordinated monitoring programmes, core indicators with good environmental status boundaries, thematic and integrated assessment reports, including assessment of pressures on the marine environment, as well as commonly agreed measures, with the view to facilitate adaptive management and strive for improved state of the Baltic Sea. Maritime groupThe Maritime group works to prevent any pollution from ships – including deliberate operational discharges as well as accidental pollution. The group works to ensure that adopted regulations are observed and enforced effectively and uniformly through close international co-operation; as well as to identify and promote actions to limit sea-based pollution while ensuring safe navigation. Response groupHELCOM Response Group 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.  HELCOM-VASAB working group on maritime spatial planningA joint co-chaired Working Group works to ensure cooperation among the Baltic Sea region countries for coherent regional Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) processes. The group, lead jointly with the Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (VASAB), provides a forum for regional, trans-boundary and cross-sectoral dialogue. The HELCOM-VASAB MSP Working Group follows and examines as well as makes use of the outcomes and findings of regional project activities relevant to MSP.New Terms of Reference available soon in and  * * *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: Johanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

New main working groups are now decided on, to better meet with the present needs and challenges in the governments’ efforts to protect the Baltic marine environment.

First major HELCOM monitoring
project on in Kaliningrad has been completed and the indicate, among others, that several compounds from the eleven HELCOM priority hazardous
substances could be
detected both in water and sediment.  For
example, high levels of a common hygiene product ingredient, nonylphenol, was
found both in Kaliningrad waste canal as well as in leachate water from a major
landfill.   Most of the HELCOM hazardous
substances are not water soluble and therefore attach on solid material and sediment
in aquatic environment. In Kaliningrad, the sedimentation takes place in the
Curonian Lagoon which remarkably reduces discharge of the substances to the
Baltic Sea. Similarly, the hazardous substances leaching from landfills are
bound to the nearby sediments thus not released to the sea.  The data has been obtained within
the EU-funded . The project commissioned the screening of the HELCOM hazardous
substances in Kaliningrad, first time in the main river of Kaliningrad, as part of a larger effort to improve monitoring in Russia’s regions
in the Baltic Sea catchment area. The eleven priority hazardous substances defined by HELCOM are based on
their adverse effects: persistence, bio-accumulation and toxicity. In the study on hazardous compounds in Kaliningrad, water and sediment was sampled in
June 2014 from seven locations along the main river of Kaliningrad, the
Pregolya, and its tributaries that flow into the Curonian Lagoon before
discharging into the main basin of the Baltic Sea. Several groups of HELCOM
hazardous substances, such as organotins, chlorinated alcanes, PFOS- compounds,
and nonyl and octylphenols were not monitored from sediments because of lack of
locally available analytical method.  Another related activity of the
EU-funded HELCOM BASE Project confirms that water and sediment of the Pregolya
River, Kaliningrad, is heavily polluted with oil around the Kaliningrad Port
Oil Terminal, identified as a so-called referring to a regionally significant source of pollution. The delved deeper into the possibilities to minimize pollution from the
site. Explicit recommendations to the authorities in charge are included in the
report along with the Environmental Management Plan. The recommendations list
the construction of new oil recovery wells for removal of oil phase from ground
water surface, as well as upgrading the physical, chemical and biological waste
water treatment processes of the oil terminal. By implementation of the
Environmental Management Plan, 98 % of the present oil discharges to the
Pregolya is estimated to be eliminated.   Screening of HELCOM hazardous substances in water and sediment in Kaliningrad, BASE Project summaryPilot activity to minimize oil pollution to the Pregolya River from the Kaliningrad Port Oil Terminal​,
BASE Project summary   * * *Note for
editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan
() in Russia.  BASE addresses
altogether three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous
substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring
activities to support and measure the progress within the abovementioned
segments are also being carried out. The pilot projects (See: ) are
implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while the
overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St.
Petersburg Public Organization . The Baltic
Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as HELCOM, 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:Risto ValoBASE
Project ExpertPöyry
Finland OyTel: +358
400 577 548E-mail:
risto.valo(at)poyry.com Johanna
LaurilaInformation
SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358
40 523 8988Skype:
helcom70E-mail:
johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

New results indicate, among others, that several compounds from the eleven HELCOM priority hazardous substances could be detected both in water and sediment.

​​​​​A concise of all the finalized findings, data and recommendations is now released, presenting results of the on implementing the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) in Russia. The EU-funded HELCOM wraps up after two years of work, with a focus on three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to support and measure the implementation progress within the abovementioned segments have also been carried out. The print is available at HELCOM Secretariat, and all the , as well as full reports, through the website.  Key outcomes and recommendations:EUTROPHICATION – Agriculture Outcome: The implementation of a manure handling plan for Kaliningrad region will reduce the entry of nutrients into the environment from animal/poultry manure – nitrogen by 20–30% and phosphorus by 15%, which is equal to 1,100 tonnes and 210 tonnes per year, respectively.Recommendation: Use all cattle and poultry manure as organic fertilizers in agriculture in Kaliningrad.EUTROPHICATION – Scattered settlementsOutcome: An estimation of the nutrient inputs from scattered settlements according to their different sizes as per HELCOM recommendations (mainly up to 300 persons and 300-2,000 persons).Recommendation: Establish guidelines on best available solutions and technologies for better waste water treatment of small settlements in Kaliningrad & Leningrad regions  BIODIVERSITY – Marine protected zoneOutcome: The application is ready for submission to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia, with the aim of legal status granted for the extension of the protected zone between Lithuania and Russia. Such an extension will contribute to the ecological coherence of the marine protected areas’ network.Recommendation:  Establish the extension for marine protected zone in Curonian Spit BIODIVERSITY – Luga salmonOutcome: There is a decline observed in wild salmon population in the River Luga. The main reason for the decline of wild salmon is unreported catch, the report states.Recommendation: Support the survival of wild salmon in river Luga, Leningrad region, by establishing an effective management plan HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES – PharmaceuticalsOutcome: The currently employed waste water treatment processes are insufficient for the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and much ends up in the Baltic Sea with a probable negative effect on living organisms.Recommendation: Continue to research the pharmaceuticals in urban waste water treatment. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES – MicroplasticsOutcome: The results of this study show that the WWTPs may operate as a point source of microplastic litter into the aquatic environment. However, the reduction of the microplastic load is also remarkable in scale. Recommendation: Investigate more the amount and types of microplastic litter in waste water of St. Petersburg HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES – Oil terminalOutcome: Explicit recommendations to the authorities in charge are included in the report along with the Environmental Management Plan. Through the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan a 98 % reduction in the present oil discharges to the River Pregolya is expected.Recommendation: Upgrade physical, chemical and biological waste water treatment processes, and install new oil pumping wells along the pier in the Kaliningrad port oil terminal HOT SPOTS – Hot Spots inventoryOutcome: An analysis and conclusions on the different conditions for removing the 12 Russian hot spots examined  from HELCOM’s list.Recommendation: Submit application for removal of three Russian sites from the HELCOM Hot Spot list HOT SPOTS – Vistula lagoon and Curonian lagoonOutcome: Multi-stakeholder transboundary regional meetings gathered together participants respresenting Lithuanian, Polish and Russian authorities, practitioners and researchers to discuss practical problems, results of different studies, possible solutions and directions of joint sustainable use of water resources in the Curonian and Vistula Lagoon regions. Recommendation: Speed up the work among relevant Russian authorities across sectors for developing a plan to improve the environmental status of both of the lagoons in cooperation with Poland and Lithuania. NUTRIENT MONITORING Outcome: Nutrient data of previously unmonitored tributaries of rivers Neva and Pregolya is available in HELCOM Data and Map ServiceRecommendation: Improve data collection concerning the actual nutrient load from point sources in Russian catchment, concerning river Neva and its tributaries; and elaborate a monthly monitoring scheme in Kaliningrad region.The studies confirm that more than a half of the total nutrient load to the Gulf of Finland, about 110 thousand tonnes per year, comes with River Neva. The new results also indicate that the share of St. Petersburg in pollution of River Neva is less than 10 %, and that more than three quarters of the nutrient load via Neva to the Gulf of Finland originates from Lake Ladoga. INDICATORS Outcome: 31 HELCOM-CORESET indicators were analysed by Russian experts in the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland. Tens of Russian experts and consultants were involved in the work,, which has been a major step forward in developing the experts’ network to participate in HELCOM’s activities related to the development and implementation of the indicators.Recommendation: Secure the active participation of Russia in the operationalization of HELCOM core indicators PUBLIC AWARENESSRecommendation: Ensure that the awareness and involvement of the general public is maintained on the necessary actions to restore the good environmental status of the Baltic Sea ​ >>* * *>>

Note for
editors:    (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan
() in Russia.  BASE addresses
altogether three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous
substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring
activities to support and measure the progress within the abovementioned
segments are also being carried out. The pilot ​projects (See: ) are
implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while the
overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St.
Petersburg Public Organization “Ecology and Business”.​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>>Saija Vuola Project Manager HELCOM BASE Tel: +358 40 668 4657  Skype: helcom48 E-mail: saija.vuola(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel.  +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

A concise summary of all the findings, data and recommendations is now released and available in print, representing results of the 12 components of BASE Project.

​​​Polluting nutrient loads entering the Baltic Sea from and regions have been assessed and quantified by the HELCOM . The studies confirm that more than a half of the total nutrient load to the Gulf of Finland, about 110 thousand tonnes per year, comes with River Neva. The new results also indicate that the share of St. Petersburg in pollution of River Neva is less than 10 %, and that more than three quarters of the nutrient load via Neva to the Gulf of Finland originates from Lake Ladoga. Contribution of Kaliningrad region to the nutrient input, excluding transboundary loads, is near 11 thousand tons per year both for nitrogen and phosphorus. All the new data is freely available in the HELCOM Data and Map .  By filling gaps in the nutrient load data from the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland catchment, the EU-funded HELCOM Project has helped to measure Russian progress in achieving the nutrient reduction targets in the HELCOM . The updated country-wise reduction targets were jointly agreed on in October 2013 (see table below), by all HELCOM member countries and the EU, to help reach a Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication by 2021. Monitoring is the basis for the formulation of policies as well as setting of priorities for cost-efficient actions to better protect the Sea. In the Project design, particular attention was paid to previously unmonitored tributaries of River Pregolya, Kaliningrad, and River Neva, Leningrad region. In Neva, the pollution load share originating from Lake Ladoga was more than 75 %. In the same region, the inspected transboundary loads through River Narva showed that over 80 % of nutrients originate from diffuse sources, namely the agriculture sector. Meanwhile in the Kaliningrad region, sampling and analysis covered the 12 tributaries of River Pregolya, the Kaliningrad city waste water discharge canal as well as the Matrovska canal, among others.  he recommendations of the Project state that the state monitoring programme of the Russian Federation should be further developed, suggesting a monthly monitoring scheme in Kaliningrad region and as per River Neva and its tributaries, to improve nutrient load data collection from point sources. Bilateral cooperation is also recommended, to assist in assessing any transboundary loads. otal nutrient load from Leningrad region, Russian territory to the Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Riga(Note: based on four rounds of measurements – not comparable to constant monitoring)* Showing point sources discharging to the actual Gulf and Neva Bay. Data received from the BASE Project’s Russian Partner.** The value shows the sum of the nitrogen fractions, the total load is higher.  ELCOM nutrient reduction targets 2013Country-wise annual nutrient reduction targets for nitrogen and phosphorus per country: * = 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 Download reports:  All the new data is freely available in the (Land-Based -> Sources -> BASE Project) * * Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () in Russia.  BASE addresses altogether three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to support and measure the progress within the abovementioned segments are also being carried out. The pilot projects (See: ) are implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while the overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St. Petersburg Public Organization “” he Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to as , is an intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly known as the Helsinki Convention. * * *For further information, please contact:Saija Vuola Project Manager HELCOM BASE Tel: +358 40 668 4657  Skype: helcom48 E-mail: saija.vuola(at)helcom.fi Dmitry Frank-Kamenetsky Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 630 9933 Skype: helcom68 E-mail: dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi

The studies cover both Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions and confirm that more than a half of the total nutrient load to the Gulf of Finland comes with River Neva.

of a first-of-its-kind study on pharmaceuticals flows from waste waters in St. Petersburg has been published as part of the findings of HELCOM BASE Project. An estimated load of 400kg of a common anti-inflammatory pain killer ends up via River Neva to the Gulf of Finland annually.  he results clearly indicate that the currently employed waste water treatment processes are insufficient for the anti-inflammatory drug and much ends up in the Baltic Sea with a probable negative effect on living organisms. Therefore an improvement of technology is the first necessary step to take. Consuming less pharmaceuticals or substituting persistent substances with greener more environmentally friendly ones is another goal. he new study also found that the concentration of the pain killer Diclofenac in the out-going waste water was often higher than in unpurified sewage water. This phenomenon can be explained by the liberation of Diclofenac during the waste water treatment process. Similar observations have been made at a number of other waste water treatment plants elsewhere in the world. lso a common synthetic hormone (Ethinylestradiol, EE2) was studied. Concluding from pharmaceutical sales statistics and population analysis of St. Petersburg, the amount of EE2 excreted into the sewage system did not exceed 315 g per year which means that the concentration of the hormone in purified waste water was not significant. ithin the study, naturally produced human estrogen E1 was found in raw sewage and, based on the results of the chemical analysis, approximately 40 kg of E1 is excreted annually. In the effluent, E1 was detected in only three out of 31 samples; the average concentration in the effluent was therefore judged to be below the detection limit of 10 ng/L.  Pharmaceuticals and their harmful effects in waterways are a growing concern and only recently, the elevated concentrations have been measured in the marine environment, and also in the Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea is especially sensitive since it is the final basin of the pharmaceuticals residues consumed by more than 80 million people. The BASE Project component to identify sources and flow patterns of pharmaceuticals in St. Petersburg to the Baltic Sea focused on three substances: a common synthetic hormone and a natural hormone, as well as the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac. All of them are included in European Union’s pharmaceuticals monitoring watch list, from 2013. The sampling series were carried out at St. Petersburg’s Central, Northern and South-Western treatment plants. The EU-funded HELCOM Project on Implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in Russia (BASE) has cooperated on these previously unstudied concerns with the State Unitary Enterprise Vodokanal of St. Petersburg.  * * *Note for editors: (2012–2014) supports the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan () in Russia.  BASE addresses altogether three priority areas of the HELCOM BSAP: eutrophication, hazardous substances, and biodiversity and nature protection. Within BASE, monitoring activities to support and measure the progress within the abovementioned segments are also being carried out. The pilot projects (See: components) are implemented by experts from Russia with the support of EU experts, while the overall Project, funded by EU, is managed by the HELCOM Secretariat and St. Petersburg Public Organization “Ecology and Business”. 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 contactVladimir NikiforovScientific Research Center for Ecological SafetyRussian Academy of SciencesTel. +7 921 9354408E-mail: vovanikiforov(at)yahoo.co.uk Niina VienoEnvieno KyTel. +358 50 544 8431E-mail: niina.vieno(at)envieno.com Johanna LaurilaInformation Secretary, HELCOMTel.  +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The final report of a first-of-its-kind study on pharmaceuticals flows from waste waters in St. Petersburg has been published as part of the findings of HELCOM BASE Project.

​First pilot results on pharmaceutical flows and microplastic litter from St. Petersburg waste waters to the Baltic Sea were published today in St. Petersburg, Russia, in the XV International Environmental Forum – Baltic Sea Day. The activities of HELCOM to tackle these increasing environmental threats has discovered that a common anti-inflammatory drug, very difficult to remove in treatment process, can be found in waste water, while concentrations of the 2 examined hormones are low. As per microplastics, the study has found that the treatment process reduces effectively the amount of micro-sized litter, but a part of them also ends up in the water environment. The EU-funded HELCOM Project on Implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in Russia (BASE) has cooperated on these previously unstudied concerns with the State Unitary Enterprise Vodokanal of St. Petersburg. Vodokanal is a water and waste water company at the forefront of exploring new issues in Russia. The BASE Project component to identify sources and flow patterns of pharmaceuticals in St. Petersburg to the Baltic Sea focuses on three substances: a common synthetic hormone and a natural hormone, as well as diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug. All of them are included in European Union’s pharmaceuticals monitoring watch list, established last year.  Pharmaceuticals and their harmful effects in waterways are a growing concern and only recently, the elevated concentrations have been measured also in the marine environment, and also in the Baltic Sea. Baltic Sea is especially sensitive since it is the final basin of the pharmaceuticals residues consumed by more than 80 million people.  The pilot study on microplastics in waste waters was carried out in the central waste water treatment plant at SUE Vodokanal of St. Petersburg. It is too early to estimate well the proportion of plastics from all the examined micro-sized litter, out of which some pass the purification process. The samples from this study are stored for possible further research. Annual global plastic production keeps increasing, and it is evaluated that marine litter consists 60–80 % of plastics, most of it being very small and called microplastics. However, only a few studies exist globally about the sources of microplastics, and also the methods of sampling and analysing lack standards. Within HELCOM BASE Project, current methodology and experience of microplastic research will be applied in St. Petersburg waste waters. * * *Note for editors:Baltic Sea Day is an international environmental forum organized annually in St. Petersburg, this year for the 15th time. It brings together hundreds of environmental experts. This year’s event, supported by HELCOM, is focusing mainly on monitoring activities, maritime spatial planning, green technologies and practices, hazardous substances, environmental farming practices, impacts of human activity on marine biodiversity, transboundary rivers and, on the Gulf of Finland Year 2014. Experts engage in several roundtable discussions on 19–21 March 2014.   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 Saija VuolaProject Manager, BASETel. +358 40 6684657E-mail: saija.vuola(at)helcom.fi Ekaterina VorobyevaProject Manager, BASETel. +7 905 222 9437E-mail: vorobyeva(at)helcom.ru Johanna LaurilaInformation Secretary, HELCOMTel.  +358 40 523 8988E-mail: Johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

First results of pilot studies on urban waste water show that a common painkiller pollutes the Sea.