Tag: Spatial conservation & MPAs

​​Final touches for the key set of region-wide indicators is a prominent point in this week’s of the HELCOM Working on the State of the Environment and Nature Conservation. Environmental managers and experts from all the riparian states are gathered to discuss and agree on new or improved procedures, guidelines and recommendations for regional monitoring and assessment of Baltic marine environment. Two of the suggested HELCOM core indicators are related to marine mammals: their reproductive status and nutritional status.  Photo: Anders Galatius. ​HELCOM core set of indicators, currently 25, are shared tools which help to better measure the status of the entire sea. Many of the HELCOM core indicators are about the status of different species, ranging from seals and seabirds to coastal fish and zooplankton. Other indicators concern hazardous substances, and pressures on the environment such as introduction of alien species and inputs of nutrients. The core indicators will now be given a final technical review before the HELCOM Heads of Delegation are expected to decide on them in June.  The agreed core indicators will be used as a basis for future HELCOM assessments. Furthermore, each fully developed indicator has a boundary value for Good Environmental Status (GES) defined which reflects the acceptable level of contamination. All in all, the operational indicators thus assist in constantly evaluating progress towards the agreed objectives of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and other relevant policies aiming at reaching a healthy sea by 2021.  In addition to the first batch of proposed HELCOM core set indicators, over 20 more are considered for further development to join the core set later. The State and Conservation Group meeting will also review the progress in renewal of the regional database for the coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas and agree on a method for the next HELCOM assessment of ecological coherence of protected areas to be carried out during this year. Moreover, clarifications are expected on the HELCOM Recommendation on conservation of Baltic Sea species categorized as threatened, whether the Contracting Parties are ready to proceed on adoption. New plans to upgrade the HELCOM work on monitoring and assessment of benthic habitats and birds are also on the agenda.  Other items in the 5-day meeting include two HELCOM Recommendations, on new procedures for notifying neighbouring countries about the use of autonomous monitoring devices in the Baltic Sea, and about the revised procedures for granting monitoring permits. Both of the recommendations, proposed for agreement, are important to facilitate monitoring and research in the Baltic Sea. These proposed procedures are part of the many results of the recently completed BALSAM Project on improving monitoring in the region, presented to the Meeting and summarized in a . The second meeting of the Working Group on the State of the Environment and Nature Conservation 11-15 May 2015 will be co-chaired by Urmas Lips, Marine Systems Institute at Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia and Penina Blankett, Ministry of the Environment of Finland. . All documents will be public after the meeting. * * * Note for editors:HELCOM Working Group on the State of the Environment and Nature Conservation () covers monitoring and assessment functions as well as issues related to nature conservation and biodiversity protection in HELCOM. The group works across the monitoring-indicators-assessment chain for the coordinated development of HELCOM thematic assessment tools, as well as coherent holistic assessment of the ecosystems 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 more 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

Final touches for the key set of region-wide indicators is a prominent point in this week’s meeting of HELCOM State & Conservation group.

​Eleven new marine and coastal protected areas with high biological diversity have recently been designated as HELCOM marine protected areas () in Finland. The new MPA nominations expand the existing network in the Baltic Sea by 720 km2, which now in total has 174 sites covering an area of ca 540,400 km2 – roughly the size of France. The spread of HELCOM marine protected areas has increased threefold since 2004 and now covers about 12 % of the Baltic Sea marine area. Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Mats WesterbomThe four sites in the Gulf of Finland and one in the Gulf of Bothnia represent important marine environments, reefs and sandbanks in offshore areas. Meanwhile, six sites in the Archipelago Sea include different types of islets and islands in the outer archipelago. All but one of the new MPAs are also under the Natura 2000 status, ensuring smoother joint management as well as better legal protection.  The criteria for coastal and marine Baltic Sea protected areas was upgraded in the new HELCOM Recommendation () last year, which now also takes into account Red-listed species at risk of extinction, as well as biotopes threatened by collapse in the Baltic Sea. Also the need for ecological coherence is now more clearly manifested. In general, the Recommendation helps to protect the full range of biodiversity in the region, preserve ecosystems as well as to secure a sustainable use of natural resources.  The spread of HELCOM marine protected areas has increased threefold since 2004 and now covers about 12 % of the marine area, thereby exceeding the target of 10 % set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Baltic Sea was one of the first regional seas in the world to reach this target. However, the designation of HELCOM MPAs in off-shore areas has so far been lagging behind, which has weakened the network’s ecological coherence. The new sites in Finland expands the area of protection especially in off-shore waters. The work continues – an analysis of ecological coherence of the network will be carried out by HELCOM later this year.  List of the new HELCOM marine protected areas (MPA) in Finland:  * * *Note for editors:HELCOM covers monitoring and assessment functions as well as issues related to nature conservation and biodiversity protection in HELCOM. The group works across the monitoring-indicators-assessment chain for the coordinated development of HELCOM thematic assessment tools, as well as coherent holistic assessment of the ecosystems health. 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 further information, please contactJanica BorgProject Coordinator (ECONET, HELCOM MPAs)HELCOMTel: +358 40 662 0101E-mail: janica.borg(@)helcom.fiSkype: helcom57 Johanna LaurilaInformation SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 523 8988E-mail: johanna.laurila(@)helcom.fiSkype: helcom70

Eleven new marine and coastal protected areas with high biological diversity have been designated as HELCOM marine protected areas in Finland.

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 new HELCOM is now published as a part of the free
HELCOM data and map , operational
in its current form since 2010 and probably one of the globe’s largest hubs of
compiled regional spatial information on marine environment. With the
Biodiversity map service now open, HELCOM provides free access to some 500 map
layers in total, with maps ranging from biodiversity landscape features to information
of maritime traffic.  he newest addition to the HELCOM map
service are maps on the distribution of and
produced in the HELCOM RED LIST project in 2013. The datasets make the data of
the Species Information and Biotope Information publically available for management purposes, including maritime spatial
planning.

​The newly added Red List datasets provide distribution maps on red-listed biotopes (36), benthic invertebrates (59), fish species (58), bird species (32), and marine mammals (5). The preparation of datasets for online publishing has been supported by a project funded by the European Commission.  According to HELCOM , all data stemming from monitoring and used in assessments is made publicly available. In case of the biodiversity datasets, the datasets are available for view and download from the as well as the thematic . To serve access to open spatial data, all map layers are available through open standard web mapping interfaces (OGC WMS), so the data can be used remotely without downloading and can be embedded in customized web applications.   * * * 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 marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, including operational and accidental pollution from ships and to ensure safety of navigation in the region. * * * For further information, please contact:Joni Kaitaranta Data Administrator HELCOM Tel: +358 46 850 9206 Skype: helcom37 E-mail: joni.kaitaranta(at)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

Almost 200 new map layers on the distribution of red-listed species and biotopes further improve HELCOM’s free data and map service, a large hub of spatial information on Baltic marine environment.

The first of the new HELCOM working on the state of the environment and nature conservation in the Baltic Sea, starting today in Pärnu, Estonia, will formulate a concrete work plan regarding the two key themes of the group: monitoring and assessment as well as nature conservation and biodiversity. The 5-day session will discuss, among others, monitoring of benthic habitats, the production of the holistic assessment of the ecosystem health, as well as the modernization of the database on marine protected areas. Monitoring of benthic habitats could be supported e.g. by remote-sensing methods.  Photo: Metsähallitus NHS/Jan Ekebom & Mats Westerbom.The future coordinated monitoring of benthic habitats in the Baltic Sea will be a key topic of the Meeting. The HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment states that monitoring in the Baltic Sea should cater for assessments of quality and quantity of habitats and biotopes. Still, at present the recently published HELCOM Monitoring shows limited monitoring of benthic habitats in the Baltic Sea thus there is room for improvements and new joint initiatives. Different tools for assessing biodiversity is another theme that expecting major attention. HELCOM recently agreed to start a project with the aim of producing a 2nd Holistic Assessment of the Ecosystem Health of the Baltic Sea by 2018. Assessing the state of biodiversity will be an important component of the holistic assessment and principles for such analyses will be considered at the meeting. Moreover, the modernization of the HELCOM database on marine protected areas () will be discussed. HELCOM has hosted data on protected areas since 2006 and improvements regarding the structure and contents of the database have now been considered necessary. The new database will include data to cater the assessments of ecological coherence of MPAs, management plans and the effectiveness of managing MPAs.  The current development work on core indicators will also be reflected on, concerning biodiversity, hazardous substances as well as eutrophication. A major overall aim of the State group is to work across the monitoring-indicators-assessment chain in order to provide a stronger basis for coordinated development of the HELCOM thematic assessment tools.  . Documents will be public after the meeting. * * * Note for editors:The working group on the state of the environment and nature conservation (tentative name: ) will cover monitoring and assessment theme as well as nature conservation and biodiversity protection theme. A major aim of the group is to work across the monitoring-indicators-assessment chain in order to provide a stronger basis for coordinated development of the HELCOM thematic assessment tools and a coherent holistic assessment of the ecosystems health, including Baltic Sea Pressure Index and Impact Index. 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 Zweifel Professional Secretary HELCOM Tel. +358 46 850 9198 Skype: helcom64 E-mail: ullali.zweifel(at)helcom.fiJohanna Laurila Information Secretary HELCOM Tel: +358 40 523 8988 Skype: helcom70 E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi

First meeting addresses monitoring of benthic habitats, production of the holistic assessment of the ecosystem health, as well as modernization of the database on marine protected areas.

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.

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.

​​​​​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.

of the marine and coastal areas of the Curonian Spit national park has been finalized, along with the application ready for submission, with the aim of legal status granted for the extension of the protected zone between Lithuania and Russia. The report details the reasons for such an extension which will contribute to the ecological coherence – crucial for preserving biodiversity and improving the state of species and habitats – of the marine protected areas’ network in the South-Eastern part of the Baltic Sea. The study is a part of final results of HELCOM , supporting implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in Russia.>>>Another significant outcome of the BASE Project has been the involvement of regional and federal authorities, including the Curonian Spit national park authorities in Russia and in Lithuania as well as researchers, in the development of a common approach to establish marine protected areas. All HELCOM member states have agreed to the 2010 target of an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas – while progress towards this target has been insufficient, the coverage of protected areas is considered high at 12 % of the Baltic marine area. > >>The proposed extension area of the protected zone, entailing 12 nautical miles of internal sea waters and territorial sea of the Russian Federation, would provide better protection for red-listed species such as Long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis), Velvet scoter (Melanitta fusca) and Baltic ringed seal (Phoca hispida botnica). Furthermore, within the project component, a number of promotion activities have been carried out in the local communities of Kaliningrad region highlighting the assets of the Curonian Spit marine protected zone. > >>The main goal of the HELCOM marine protected – formerly called Baltic Sea Protected Areas – is to protect valuable marine and coastal habitats in the Baltic Sea, by designating suitable areas which have particular nature values as well as by managing human activities within those areas.>> >Good progress has been made in enlarging the network of marine protected areas: between 2004 and 2013 the protected marine area has increased threefold, from 4 to almost 12 %. The network of these areas continued its growth between 2010 and 2013, while the ecological coherence lags behind the mutually agreed targets. >>>:  >>>> >* * *>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 contact:>>Sergey Kondratienko>Consultant, HELCOM BASE Project>Ecological Monitoring, Management, Audit and Consulting Ltd. – ECOMMAC>Tel. +7 906 2141209>E-mail: svkondrat(at)rambler.ru >>Johanna Laurila>Information Secretary>HELCOM>Tel.  +358 40 523 8988>E-mail: johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi>

New study of the marine and coastal areas of the Curonian Spit national park has been finalized as a part of final results of HELCOM BASE Project.