Tag: Monitoring

The development for marine mammals in the Baltic Sea area has been among key topics in the seal expert group wrapping up today in Turku, Finland. The details for the operational core indicators, such as abundance, distribution and reproductive status, are timely since the overall HELCOM indicator work is at full speed, expecting finalization for the missing indicators in mid-2015. Once ready, the core indicators enable comparison of monitoring data and assessment results across the entire region, as well as allows for measuring any progress towards the Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea. All seal populations in the Baltic Sea, except for the Kattegat harbour
seals, remain below the estimated levels in the beginning ofthe 20th
century. Photo: Shutterstock Furthermore, the seal expert meeting endorsed the guidelines on monitoring of seals, significantly improving the coordination of regional monitoring. The guidelines have been developed by the EU co-funded project, which is also developing databases for seal abundance and distribution. The databases will be hosted by the HELCOM Secretariat and made available for all public. So far only data on harbour porpoise has been updated in a dedicated database, therefore the development of the broader seal databases will aid to follow-up the population trends and status of these species. In the 1970s and 1980s the populations of all seal species in the Baltic Sea were alarmingly low due to hunting and reproductive disorders which have been connected to chemical pollution. The HELCOM Recommendation on Conservation of Seals in the Baltic Sea Area (2006) states that the long-term objectives for the management of Baltic Seals are a natural abundance and distribution and a health status that ensures their future existence. The further acknowledges the need for immediate conservation measures. As a regular activity, the three teams of the HELCOM Ad Hoc Seal Expert Group – on population size, distribution and health – will give their respective reports in the Meeting. . All documents will be public after the Meeting. * * * Note for editors:The HELCOM ad hoc Seal has been meeting annually since 2006. The group consists of marine mammal experts, scientists, and managers from the Contracting Parties around the Baltic Sea. Representatives of the fisheries sector also participate in order to improve dialogue related to the protection and management of marine mammals between the environment and fisheries sectors. The work is carried out in three teams, with a focus on population size, distribution, and health.  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 contactPetra KääriäAssisting Professional SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 46 850 9204Skype: helcom49E-mail: petra.kaaria(at)helcom.fi Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Conservation of the Baltic seals moves forward as databasse and core indicators for Baltic marine mammals were further developed in the seal expert group meeting wrapping up today in Turku, Finland.

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.

The new, modernized HELCOM era starts hands-on work today when the HELCOM group on the implementation of the ecosystem approach () gathers in Tallinn, Estonia for a 3-day meeting. Gear group now operates under a revised mandate to better meet the emerging challenges in accomplishing the HELCOM goals and targets of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (). The Meeting will also discuss the more detailed work, such as the overall HELCOM roadmap with its deadlines and deliverables until 2021; a draft action plan to close knowledge gaps and improve regional coherence; as well an initiative to more effectively follow up the BSAP national implementation.The ecosystem approach is the key ingredient of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and the work of the renewed Gear group. Photo: Stuart Richards.After HELCOM process the Gear group will now hold a strong managerial role, with the mandate to integrate and utilize the work of other HELCOM groups for coherent implementation of marine policies, including of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive as far as EU Member States are concerned as well as Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation. Gear will continue to look after the synergies with relevant organizations and frameworks, including other Regional Seas Conventions such as the OSPAR Commission covering the North-Atlantic o improve regional coherence GEAR will also prepare by end of 2014 an Action Plan to close knowledge gaps identified in the implementation of marine policies to reach Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea. The plan will address improvements of joint assessments of the state of the environment, coordination of monitoring programmes and measures to improve the state of the Baltic Sea. urthermore the Meeting will specifically discuss the development of a joint documentation of programmes of measures. The work will be carried out to improve coordination of measures for all Contracting Parties and will be used by the HELCOM EU Member States in their reporting under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in 2015 The Meeting will also discuss the continuing work on HELCOM core indicators and how to best synchronize with the work on national sets. The HELCOM core indicators are developed to measure the progress towards achieving a Good Environmental Status in the Baltic Sea which is the goal of the Baltic Sea Action Plan. The core indicators enable comparison of monitoring data and assessment results across the entire Baltic Sea region. . 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 more information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi Ulla Li ZweifelProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel. +358 46 850 9198Skype: helcom64E-mail: ullali.zweifel(at)helcom.fi

The new HELCOM era starts hands-on work today in the Gear group meeting, guarding the ecosystem approach as well as managing coherent implementation of marine policies.

Experts from the Baltic and North-East Atlantic regions meet today in Gothenburg, Sweden to initiate cooperation on biodiversity indicators. The session will take forward the policy ambitions of all the twenty countries in the HELCOM and OSPAR Regional Seas Conventions.  There are many species that move between the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea, including bird and fish species. Cooperation on activities to monitor and assess the state of these highly mobile animals and other biodiversity is crucial for a wider understanding of the marine environments of the North-East Atlantic and the Baltic Sea.  Both HELCOM and OSPAR have concluded that there is a need to cooperate on the implementation of their respective Regional Seas’ strategies and action plans, as well as the coherent implementation of other related frameworks in the two areas such as the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.  It is hoped that the meeting will improve awareness, communication and coordination between experts working on similar issues for future knowledge and experience exchange and for cooperation on shared challenges.  Close cooperation between the Regional Seas Conventions delivers value at the same time as ensuring the best possible development of indicators, monitoring and assessment. This meeting is the first of many steps towards longer term ambitions for streamlining relevant biodiversity indicators between OSPAR and HELCOM. Furthermore, the HELCOM core indicators that are considered most appropriate for assessing the state of biodiversity and hazardous substances were discussed from a technical point of view in an expert workshop preceding today’s meeting. The established indicators were further strengthened and the relevance of new so called candidate indicators was assessed. The technical recommendations that the meeting produced will form the basis for a fully operationalized indicator-based assessment system by mid-2015 when the project ends. * * * 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. 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.  * * * For further information, please contact:Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi Lucy Ritchie Communications LeadOSPAR Commission / Bonn AgreementTel: +44 20 7430 5200E-mail: lucy.ritchie(at)ospar.org

Experts from the Baltic and North-East Atlantic regions meet today in Gothenburg, Sweden to initiate cooperation on biodiversity indicators.

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.

Comprehensive holistic assessment of the Baltic Sea is to be set off in the 2-day starting today, joined by the Heads of Delegations of from all Baltic coastal countries as well as the EU and representatives of major organizations within the region. The Meeting, held in Helsinki, Finland, is also expected to decide on a new working structure for HELCOM as well as to endorse and discuss several other topics to advance the state of the marine environment.  The Meeting is expected to endorse the project to develop the second HELCOM Holistic Assessment of the Ecosystem Health of the entire Baltic Sea. The need for the next comprehensive assessment has been agreed on by the HELCOM 2013 and the proposed date of final release, taking into account the cycles of other international frameworks and related national consultations, is set for mid-2018.  “This major indicator-based assessment will result in improved knowledge of the status of the marine environment as well pressures and cumulative impacts from human activities. It will also inform decision-makers on effectiveness of the established measures. As in case of the first (2010), the new assessment will be a crucial instrument to follow up on the implementation of HELCOM to achieve a good environmental status of marine waters by 2021”, says Monika Stankiewicz, HELCOM Executive Secretary. Another key item in the agenda is the decision on the format for the HELCOM action , developed under the lead of Germany. Options under consideration include a new HELCOM Recommendation, constituting the so called “soft” law, an amendment to the Helsinki Convention, or a high-level agreement by the coastal countries. Such a plan, expected to be ready by 2015, is another commitment by the regional leaders in the 2013 Ministerial Declaration, and also a priority for the for HELCOM. Its aims is to significantly reduce marine litter by 2025, compared to 2015, and should entail concrete measures for 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 identify the socio-economic and biological impacts of marine litter. The second workshop to prepare the marine litter action plan is taking place in October 2014 in Germany. Other topics of the Meeting include the expected deletion of one site in the so-called HELCOM , itemizing significant regional sources for pollution. If all the members allow, the major sewage collector in St. Petersburg north – Hot Spot No. 18.1 – will be cleared from the list. Moreover, the establishment of a special group for data regarding maritime spatial planning will be addressed by the Meeting. The need for comprehensive, up-to-date and reliable spatial data for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) has been recognized in different fora and HELCOM, having been in the forefront of regional MSP, would have the structures ready to nurture and host such activity.  Major HELCOM delegate meetings take place few times a year, to ensure the continuous identification of any knowledge gaps and to assess other needs and best measures for optimal end use for decision makers in the region. All the will be public after the Meeting has ended in the HELCOM Meeting Portal. * * *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 LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Heads of Delegations of HELCOM are also expected to decide on a new working structure for HELCOM as well as to endorse several other topics to advance the state of the marine environment.

​​​​​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.

A made in St. Petersburg, Russia, has found that the waste water
treatment process reduces effectively the amount of micro-sized plastics in
waste water. However, it is also possible that the waste water treatment plants
themselves constitute a point source of microplastic litter into the Baltic Sea
aquatic environment. is a growing concern; it harms the coastal and marine environments
ecologically, economically as well as socially.  Public and scientific interest in microplastic waste in marine
environment has increased considerably in recent years, but relatively little
is known about the sources of these fragments less than 5mm in size. The
EU-funded HELCOM commissioned the study from Helsinki Region Environmental Services
Authority () and the State
Unitary Enterprise “”. HSY has developed a microplastic sampling method targeted at
waste water and now applied in the joint study. One of the results of the research
project is the transfer of knowledge of the procedures and methodology for
studying microplastics in this context. Thanks to this successful cooperation
the Vodokanal of St. Petersburg will be able to continue microplastic research
independently.>>Annual global plastic production keeps increasing, and it is evaluated
that marine litter consists by 60–80 % of plastics, most of it being very small
and called microplastics. The smallest particles are especially problematic because they are very persistent; they
potentially transport harmful substances more efficiently than larger
particles; and they can be ingested actively by small organisms with rapid
metabolism and potentially accumulate in the food web.>>Despite the plastic litter being a growing concern, only
a few studies exist globally about the sources of microplastics, and also the
methods of sampling and analyzing lack standards. >>In the new report, the amount of microplastic was studied by sampling
the wastewater at the beginning of the purification process as well as during
and after the process. Water samples were filtered through different mesh-sized
filters using a specific filter device. 
All samples were inspected under a light microscope and microplastics
were identified and counted. The methodology has been successfully used in a
pilot study at Viikinmäki WWTP (in 2012 and 2013). >>Due to the preliminary status of the research project, the gained results
– the treatment process reducing effectively the amount of micro-sized litter
but a part of it also ending up in the environment – must be seen as indicative.
In order to evaluate the actual role of waste water treatment plants in the
total microplastic load of the marine environment, a more detailed
investigation is needed into the amount and types of microplastic litter in
wastewaters and in natural waters. Furthermore, extensive studies of other
possible sources are needed.  > * * *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 “”. #160;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. #160;* * *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>>Mari
Heinonen>Process
Manager >Helsinki
Region Environmental Services Authority HSY>Tel.
+358 9 1561 3187>E-mail:
mari.heinonen(at)hsy.fi >>

Johanna Laurila
Information Secretary
HELCOM
Tel: +358 40 523 8988
Skype: helcom70
E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

The results say that the treatment process reduces effectively the amount of micro-sized plastics in waste water while a part of it also ends up in the water environment.

New approaches for sharing and creating data on maritime spatial planning () have been discussed by the representatives of organizations and initiatives in the Baltic Sea region in a targeted session at this week’s Baltic Maritime Spatial Planning in Riga, Latvia. The session was moderated by Project Coordinator Manuel Frias from HELCOM Secretariat.Session “e-MSP: Data needs for proper maritime planning” by Manuel Frias, HELCOM. Photo: Jonas Pålsson. “There is still much to do in the field of regional data exchange concerning the Baltic Sea even if this activity has been going on for over 100 years, and within HELCOM since the last 40 years. Today’s discussions show that the approach of HELCOM of favouring links to the original data providers via Web Map Service (WMS) and other GIS software tools improves the flow of MSP data in the Baltic Sea area. This approach helps to avoid any outdated data, a risk when copying data to a centralized database,” says Frias.  HELCOM, the co-leader with Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea () of Horizontal Action “Spatial Planning” in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, has recently opened a to facilitate regional data exchange and browsing.  The Baltic Maritime Spatial Planning Forum takes place on 17-18 June 2014 and it is organized by Project, VASAB, as well as the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (), Swedish for Marine and Water Management and the of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia.  * * *Note for editors:HELCOM has created thematic and targeted on maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Baltic Sea region, ensuring improved access to GIS and other related data. The new MSP map and data service has been developed with EU funds as a part of HELCOM’s task to implement the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region () Horizontal Action (HA) for which HELCOM is the co-leader with the Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea (VASAB). In addition, completed activities include the Regional Baltic maritime spatial planning (MSP) 2013–2020 adopted last year at the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting. The Roadmap is a concrete set of next steps for MSP in the region, also innovating for new ways to better include fishing and the fisheries sector to MSP. These activities have been carried out under HELCOM HORIZON Project. 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:Manuel FriasProject CoordinatorHELCOMTel: +358 46 850 9209 Skype: helcom23E-mail: manuel.frias(at)helcom.fi Hermanni BackerProfessional Secretary of Maritime, Response, and Maritime spatial planning HELCOM Tel:  +358 46 8509199 Skype: helcom02 E-mail: hermanni.backer(at)helcom.fiJohanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988Skype: helcom70E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

New approaches for sharing and creating data on maritime spatial planning have been discussed in a targeted session today in Riga, Latvia.