Report on HELCOM 2014-2015

Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceReporton the Exercise of theObserver Statusof theBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceat HELCOM(Baltic Marine EnvironmentProtection Commission –Helsinki Commission)Report 2014/2015Reporton the Exercise of theObserver Statusof theBaltic Sea ParliamentaryConferenceat HELCOM(Baltic Marine EnvironmentProtection Commission –Helsinki Commission)Report 2014/20152Report on the Exercise of the Obeserver Status The Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conferenceof the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) was established in 1991 as a forum forat HELCOM political dialogue between parliamentariansfrom the Baltic Sea Region. BSPC aims at rais-ing awareness and opinion on issues of current© Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, political interest and relevance for the BalticSea Region. It promotes and drives various in-Schwerin 2015 itiatives and efforts to support a sustainableText: Sylvia Bretschneider environmental, social and economic develop-ment of the Baltic Sea Region. It strives at en-Editing: Bodo Bahr, Martina Kramer, Georg Strätker hancing the visibility of the Baltic Sea Regionand its issues in a wider European context.Layout: produktionsbüro TINUSBSPC gathers parliamentarians from 11Photos: BSPC Secretariat national parliaments, 11 regional parliamentsand 5 parliamentary organisations around thePrint: produktionsbüro TINUS Baltic Sea. The BSPC thus constitutes aCopies: 250 unique parliamentary bridge between all thePrinted on environmentally-friendly paper EU- and non-EU countries of the Baltic SeaPrinted in Germany Region.BSPC external interfaces include parlia-mentary, governmental, sub-regional and oth-er organizations in the Baltic Sea Region andthe Northern Dimension area, among themCBSS, HELCOM, the Northern DimensionPartnership in Health and Social Well-Being(NDPHS), the Baltic Sea Labour Forum(BSLF), the Baltic Sea States Sub-regional Co-operation (BSSSC) and the Baltic Develop-ment Forum.BSPC shall initiate and guide political ac-Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference tivities in the region; support and strengthenwww.bspc.net democratic institutions in the participatingstates; improve dialogue between govern-Bodo Bahr ments, parliaments and civil society; strength-Head of BSPC Secretariat en the common identity of the Baltic Sea Re-bb@bspc.net gion by means of close co-operation betweennational and regional parliaments on the basisof equality; and initiate and guide political ac-tivities in the Baltic Sea Region, endowingBSPC Secretariat them with additional democratic legitimacyc/o Lennéstraße 1 and parliamentary authority.19053 Schwerin The political recommendations of the an-Germany nual Parliamentary Conferences are expressedPhone (+49) 385 525 2777 in a Conference Resolution adopted by con-sensus by the Conference. The adopted Reso-lution shall be submitted to the governmentsof the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and theEU, and disseminated to other relevant na-tional, regional and local stakeholders in theBaltic Sea Region and its neighbourhood.3ContentsI. Introduction ..................................................................4II. Cooperation between BSPC and HELCOM ....................6III. Programme of the Estonian Chairmanship......................91. Pollution Management ..........................................92. Planning, Management andMarine Protected Areas ........................................103. Assessment of environmental statusand information....................................................11IV. Participation at events/ conferences/ forums .................121. PAN-European Dialogue ......................................122. Baltic Sea Days ....................................................133. Forum on Marine Litter .......................................14V. Implementation of theBaltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) ......................................16VI. Streamlining Process ....................................................17VII. Groups/Working Groups ..............................................181. G ear Group - Group on the Implementationof the Ecosystem Approach ...................................182. Maritime Group – Maritime Working Group .......193. P ressure Group - Working Group onReduction of Pressures from theBaltic Sea Catchment Area ....................................214. Response - Response Group ..................................235. S tate and Conservation Group -Working Group on the State of theEnvironment and Nature Conservation ...............246. F ish Group - Group on ecosystem-basedsustainable Fisheries ..............................................267. A griculture / Agri Group - Group onsustainable Agricultural practices .........................278. H ELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial PlanningGroup - JOINT HELCOM-VASABMARITIME SPATIAL PLANNINGWORKING GROUP ..........................................289. H abitat Group - Nature Protectionand Biodiversity Group .........................................291 0. Land Group - Land-based Pollution Group .........301 1. M onas Group - Monitoring andAssessment Group ................................................30VIII. Projects ......................................................................32Annex ...................................................................................344 IntroductionI. IntroductionMs Sylvia BretschneiderThe Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, alsoknown as HELCOM has been working now for over four decadeson the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.Constituted on the basis of the Helsinki Convention, signed in1974 and entered into force 1980, its ten contracting partners arededicated to the healthy future of the Baltic Sea and therefore shar-ing a common goal with the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference.Consequently, the BSPC applied and obtained observer status tothe commission in 2002 and since then has held the position con-tinuously.2014, the representatives of the Standing Committee of the BSPCagreed once again during the 23rd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Confer-ence in Olsztyn to appoint Sylvia Bretschneider and Christina Ge-strin to exercise this mandate and report back to the BSPC on therelevant activities of HELCOM.In April 2015, Christina Gestrin retired as member of the FinishParliament after the national elections in Finland. So, Sylvia Bret-schneider continued as only observer holder.Introduction 5At this point, Sylvia Bretschneider thanks Christina Gestrin warm-ly for the successful and fruitful work as observer. The reports of thepast years represent their intense and strong cooperation.The present report comprises an overview from the time frame ofAugust 2014 to this year’s 24th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Confer-ence 30th August - 1st September 2014 in Rostock, Germany.The report is based on three meetings of the Heads of Delegation(HOD 46 – 48) and the Helsinki Commission Meeting, 3-4 March2015 (Com. Meeting 36, 2015). Not every decision of these meet-ings is contented in this report. The report is intended as an extractof the most important processes of HELCOM. So, the report con-centrates on the finalized streamlining process and its results andstresses especially the new working structure.6 II Cooperation between BSPC and HELCOMII. Cooperation between BSPCand HELCOMThe past 13 years of cooperation between HELCOM and the BSPCare characterized by an active exchange of experiences and informa-tion and the past year was no exception to the successful collabora-tion between both institutions.A part of the partnership is manifested in the joint participation inconferences and events as well as cooperation between intergovern-mental and interparliamentary bodies within the Baltic Sea Region.Last year’s main decision making conference was the CommissionMeeting in Helsinki, 3 – 4 March 2015. As a follow-up to theStanding Committee Meeting in Brussels, 30th January 2015, bythe initiative of the Aland delegation, the BSPC’s Observers atHELCOM, current Chairman Sylvia Bretschneider and ChristinaGestrin, have addressed a letter to the Contracting Parties of HEL-COM concerning the implementation of the IMO MARPOL Res-olution MEPC.200 (62). The resolution defines the Baltic Sea as aso-called Special Area with the aim to prevent the discharges of sew-age from ships in the Baltic Sea.Christina Gestrin personally handed over the letter to HELCOM atthe 36th HELCOM Commission Meeting, which contained themajor opinion of the BSPC concerning that resolution and tabledit on the agenda of the meeting. Christina Gestrin strongly ex-pressed that the parliamentarians from all the EU-Member States ofthe Baltic Sea share the opinion that the original dates for the pro-hibition of the discharge of sewage from passenger ships should bemaintained. She declared that the majority of the parliamentariansfrom around the Baltic Sea find it very disappointing that the statesare not able to honour their commitments. Christina Gestrin alsodrew attention to the 23rd resolution of the BSPC, which asked thegovernments in the region to “proceed with strong efforts and ded-icated resources for the continued improvement and modernizationof the waste water treatment capacity throughout the entire BalticSea Region, in compliance with the stricter threshold values agreedby HELCOM, and to ensure continuous work to upgrade recep-tion facilities for sewage in passenger ports in line with the SpecialArea Status of the Baltic Sea under MARPOL Annex IV of the In-ternational Maritime Organization.”II. Cooperation between BSPC and HELCOM 7Christina Gestrin hands over the BSPC letter to the HELCOMChairman Harry Liiv, Foto: Landtag M-VThe content of the letter was also discussed between BSPC Chair-man Sylvia Bretschneider and HELCOM Executive Secretary Mon-ika Stankiewicz in the margins of the Pan-European Dialogue inCruise Tourism, which took place in Brussels on 4-6 March.Sylvia Bretschneider and Monika Stankiewicz on the margins of thePAN-European Dialogue, Foto: Landtag M-V8 II Cooperation between BSPC and HELCOMThe letter of the BSPC from Sylvia Bretschneider and Christina Ge-strin to HELCOM can be found in the Annex.One of the most important decisions was that the CommissionMeeting decided to maintain a regular meeting on the ministeriallevel. So, the Commission Meeting agreed that the years 2017-2018are possible for the next Ministerial Meeting and that the annualHELCOM meeting must be taken into consideration when settingthe exact date should focus on a few issues and be well prepared sothat the ministers can make a substantial contribution to futureHELCOM work. The Meeting considered the forthcoming 2ndHolistic Assessment to be a useful background for ministerial dis-cussions.III. Programme of the Estonian Chairmanship 9III. Programme of theEstonian ChairmanshipOn 1st July 2014 Harry Liiv, Deputy Secretary General of EstonianMinistry of the Environment, assumed the HELCOM-Chairman-ship. The main components addressed in the new Chairmanshippriorities are pollution management, planning, management andmarine protected areas as well as assessment of environmental statusand information.1. Pollution ManagementEstonia strives to reduce the pollution load. So, HELCOM shouldintensify the implementation of water management plans and envi-ronmental measures under the rural development plans in order todecrease the load of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous) from main-land into the Baltic Sea. Among other measures, Estonia especiallydemands to construct water collection and purification systems forsmall and medium-sized settlements. Carrying out applied researchto assess and further test options for ‘natural’ phosphorus and nitro-gen recycling are other requirements.Concerning aquaculture as an environmental measure, the chairclaims a cultivation of algae, shells, etc. to remove phosphorus andnitrogen from the marine environment. To stimulate an effective re-use of phosphorus originating from technological residue of sewagetreatment facilities and big farms is also a proposal.Referring to reduction of impact of hazardous substances, the Es-tonian Chairmanship strives to reduce or even stop the use ofHELCOM problematic chemicals by substituting these with sub-stances not harmful for the environment. Furthermore the devel-opment of the pollution response capacity and contingency in theBaltic Sea countries and the whole region is aimed, including forshoreline pollution accidents, oiled wildlife and oil pollution inice conditions.The new HELCOM project, the Regional Marine Litter ActionPlan, will be promoted. The plan is to be developed by 2015 at thelatest, with the objective to reach considerable reduction of marinelitter by 2025 compared to 2015.10 III. Programme of the Estonian Chairmanship2. Planning, Management andMarine Protected AreasThe use, conservation and protection of the Baltic Sea regional coast-al and marine areas are the goals of the Estonian Chairmanship.Therefore, it is strived to develop regional integrated coastal manage-ment, maritime spatial planning and marine and maritime govern-ance basis, principles and best practices in order to contribute to bluegrowth and creation of new jobs and prosperity in the region whileenabling a sustainable use of marine goods and services.To reach well-managed and ecologically coherent network of ma-rine protected areas, it will be necessary to assess the current statusof marine protection areas, to develop and implement, by 2015, theBaltic Sea marine protected areas’ management plans or measures.Upon further necessity and in order to preserve and protect marinegoods and services, HELCOM should agree on the extension of thenetwork of marine protected areas.Concerning fish stock and other environmental resources, Estoniademands to draw up or to further develop ecosystem based manage-ment principles for fish stock and other marine environment goodsand services. By 2020 at the latest, it is planned to refine and imple-ment positive incentives for the conservation and sustainable use ofcoastal and marine biodiversity including payments for ecosystemservices, and to stop, step by step, decrease or reform subsidies andincentives harmful to the coastal and marine biodiversity.III. Programme of the Estonian Chairmanship 113. Assessment of environmental statusand informationEstonia also strives to support HELCOM’s up to date monitoringprogramme. Therefore, the implementation of the HELCOMMonitoring and Assessment Strategy, update the HELCOM moni-toring programme in 2014 and handbooks and guidelines in 2015should be brought forward. To consolidate the HELCOM datamanagement so that data delivered by Parties to the Helsinki Con-vention are usable for both measuring the implementation in HEL-COM as well as drawing up other international or domestic moni-toring information (e.g. EU Marine Strategy Framework Directiveor the Marine Doctrine of the Russian Federation) is another ap-proach.The chair requires making the assessment of the status of the BalticSea fully operational by drawing up or exploiting an assessment sys-tem based on core indicators in order to measure the progress to-wards a good environmental status of the Baltic Sea. A further goalis to develop 2nd Holistic Assessment of the status of and pressureson the Baltic Sea by 2016/2017.The Access to environmental information and visibility of HEL-COM activities is planned to be improved. To further develop theHELCOM website, to update HELCOM map applications and toimprove operational access to data are some approaches. The imple-mentation of the HELCOM Communication Strategy guided bythe necessity to improve HELCOM’s visibility and intelligibility forthe general public is also promoted by Estonia. Establishing a com-munication network in HELCOM, it is necessary that the Con-tracting Parties raise awareness of HELCOM efforts among thegeneral public, including youth in the Baltic Sea countries.12 IV. Participation at events/ conferences/ forumsIV. Participation at events/conferences/ forums1. PAN-European DialogueAs chair of the BSPC, Sylvia Bretschneider participated at thePAN-European Dialogue in Brussels, 4-6 March 2015. The Pan-Eu-ropean Dialogue was organized by the European Commission andbrought together cruise operators with ports and coastal tourismstakeholders.In her speech, Sylvia Bretschneider emphasized that the Baltic Seaparliamentarians have always tried to bring together economic andecological aspects, as much as possible. Cruise Tourism constitutesan important pillar for the economic development of the Baltic SeaRegion. With more than 5 million passengers annually, the ferryand cruise shipping constitutes an important economic pillar, itcontributes significantly to the economic and social development.Passenger numbers in the past 15 years have gone up. But she alsounderlined that these facts can be a mixed blessing.In that context, Sylvia Bretschneider referred to the difficult imple-mentation of the IMO MARPOL Resolution MEPC.200 (62). Shedeclared that a major challenge for cruise tourism in the Baltic Seais the set-up of port reception facilities e.g. for waste water. For thisreason, the BSPC asked the governments in the Baltic Sea Regionwith last year’s resolution to “proceed with strong efforts and dedi-cated resources for the continued improvement and modernizationof the waste water treatment capacity throughout the entire BalticSea Region in compliance with the stricter threshold values agreedto HELCOM, and to ensure continuous work to upgrade receptionfacilities for sewage in passenger ports in line with the Special AreaStatus for the Baltic Sea under MARPOL Annex IV of the Interna-tional Maritime Organization.”That was why Sylvia Bretschneider and Christina Gestrin expressedthis position in the letter adressed to HELCOM. At the PAN-Eu-ropean Dialogue, Sylvia Bretschneider further explained that thereare some uncertainties in the implementation of the IMO Resolu-tion. From her personal point of view, she required an EU-wideconcept for the set-up of port reception facilities and a launch ofIV. Participation at events/ conferences/ forums 13BSPC-Chairwoman Sylvia Bretschneider on the podium at thePAN-European Dialogue, Foto: Landtag M-Vcorresponding European funding programmes. And she also sawthe need of a political-strategic frame for the operative approach ofcooperation between stakeholders in the tourism sector.2. Baltic Sea DaysAs BSPC-Observer and Finnish Member of Parliament, ChristinaGestrin represented the BSPC at the XVI International Environ-mental Forum “Baltic Sea Day” in St. Petersburg, March 18-202015. Gestrin emphasised the need to continue the environmentalcooperation, despite political tension around the Baltic Sea. Chris-tina Gestrin required that the constructive environmental coopera-tion must continue even in politically difficult times. She expressedthat the Baltic Sea Day is an important component of the efforts topromote a sustainable, green growth in the Baltic Sea Region.Christina Gestrin also referred to the BSPC’s conference in August2014 where the parliamentarians urged the governments to proceedwith strong efforts and dedicated resources for the continued im-provement and modernization of the waste water treatment capaci-ty throughout the entire Baltic Sea Region.14 IV. Participation at events/ conferences/ forumsChristina Gestrin on the podium of the Baltic Sea Days in St. Peters-burg, Foto: Landtag M-VIn her speech to the Forum “Baltic Sea Day”, Christina Gestrin re-minded the Baltic Sea states to honour their commitment to pro-hibit discharge of sewage from passenger ships. She stressed out thatin order to comply with stricter threshold values agreed by HEL-COM, the Baltic Sea governments need to ensure continuous workto upgrade reception facilities for sewage in passenger ports in linewith the Special Area Status of the Baltic Sea under MARPOL An-nex IV of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).3. Forum on Marine LitterOn March 21st, Sylvia Bretschneider contributed to the Forum onMarine Litter at the University of Applied Science in Neubranden-burg, Germany. The forum was organized by the EU-financedMARLISCO-Project and the EUCC-D (EU Coastal and MarineUnion Germany) in cooperation with the University for AppliedScience in Neubrandenburg.As current chairman of the BSPC and Observer at HELCOM, Syl-via Bretschneider reported to the participants about the work andthe successes of the two organisations concerning the environmen-tal status of the Baltic Sea. She listed several of the most importantIV. Participation at events/ conferences/ forums 15Sylvia Bretschneider thanks the organizers of the “Forum on MarineLitter” Nardine Stybel and Prof. Dr. Lutz Vetter, Foto: Landtag M-Vkey issues of the past years for reaching a good environmental stateof the Baltic Sea. As one example, she explained the importance ofthe IMO Resolution MARPOL Annex IV, which declares the Bal-tic Sea as Special Area. Under this status, the Baltic Sea is acknowl-edged as a specially protected area with strict environmental rules.Even though, most of the past measures taken to improve the statusof the Baltic Sea focused on indistinguishable substances. So, SylviaBretschneider expressly supported the Forum on Marine Litterwhich aimed to develop measures against visible marine litter. Shealso presented a new approach of HELCOM, the Baltic Sea Re-gional Action Plan on Marine Litter. This Action Plan is divided inmeasures on regional and on national level. More details can befound under “Group/ Working Groups – Maritime Group”.Sylvia Bretschneider offered the participants to forward the resultsof the Forum on Marine Litter to HELCOM to contribute to theRegional Action Plan on Marine Litter. The final report with prob-lems challenges and also measures to fight against marine litter theparticipants developed was send to HELCOM.16 V. Implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)V. Implementation of theBaltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)The Ministerial Meeting in 2013 adopted the Regional Baltic Mar-itime Spatial Planning (MSP) Roadmap 2013-2020. Its goal is thewill to make every effort to draw up and apply maritime spatialplans throughout the Baltic Sea Region by 2020 which are coherentacross borders and apply the ecosystem approach. The purpose ofthe roadmap is to outline the major on-going and future processesand deliverables within HELCOM on which regional coordinationis needed. The roadmap helps planning the activities, as well as theirtiming and coordination. It especially focuses on activities that con-tribute to building the necessary regional knowledge basis, createassessment and information tools, as well as put in place measuresfor reaching the “Good Environmental Status” (GES).The Roadmap is a living document, updated as processes developand decisions are taken, and is illustrated in the form of Activitiesbar chart. It also facilitates better coordination between the HEL-COM subsidiary bodies.The Roadmap and its current state are presented on the HELCOMwebsite: http://helcom.fi/helcom-at-work/roadmap/VI. Streamlining Process 17VI. Streamlining ProcessAfter finishing the streamlining process, the following renewedHELCOM working structure was defined.The following scheme is taken from the HELCOM homepage:http://www.helcom.fi/about-us/organisation/streamlining-processThe key aim of the streamlining exercise was a more efficient andflexible HELCOM, and to better use the limited resources to ad-dress the emerging challenges of the Baltic Sea.18 VII. Groups/Working GroupsVII. Groups/Working GroupsAs result of the streamlining process, the following groups and newgroup constellations were constructed. Five permanent and threetime-limited working groups were established.1. Gear Group - Group on the Implementation ofthe Ecosystem ApproachAs agreed in the HELCOM Heads of Delegation Meeting in Sep-tember 2014 (HOD 46-2014), the Gear group works towards re-gion-wide cooperation on all elements of national marine strategies.The group strives to build on national activities based on both legalframework and HELCOM’s work, such as HELCOM’s coordinat-ed monitoring programs, core indicators with good environmentalstatus boundaries, thematic and integrated assessment reports, in-cluding assessment of pressures on the marine environment, as wellas commonly agreed measures, with the view to facilitate adaptivemanagement and strive for improved state of the Baltic Sea.Key ingredient of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and a driving principlein the Directive is the ecosystem approach. This approach, whichalso considers people as part of the ecosystem, is about using scien-tific knowledge as the basis of protection and the sustainable use ofthe marine environment as well as prioritizing and applying man-agement actions.The Gear Group strives the development of regional environmentaltargets. It will especially support that future focus of HELCOMwork should be in a first step on the development of joint princi-ples for defining environmental targets related to damage to the sea-floor as well as underwater noise.So, the Group will serve as a regional instrument for the nationalwork of the HELCOM EU Contracting States in implementing theEU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). For the MSFDrelated coordination for those Contracting Parties that are also EUmember states, the tasks of the group will in particular cover Arti-cles 8 (Assessment), 9 (Determination of good environmental sta-tus), 10 (Establishment of environmental targets), 11 (Monitoringprogrammes) and 13 (Programmes of measures).VII. Groups/Working Groups 19It will also include coordination with activities under the MaritimeDoctrine of the Russian Federation.The specific role of GEAR is the integration and coherence be-tween the working groups and coherent implementation of theecosystem approach in HELCOM, in practice requiring thatGEAR will continue planning activities that support regional co-ordination, steering the development in relevant projects and ofrelevant deliverables according to the Roadmap of HELCOM ac-tivities on ecosystem approach.GEAR will also continue to serve as initiator of the processes and re-view the relevant deliverables to guarantee that these have an optimaltiming and content responding to management and policy needs.GEAR, however, will not be expected to verify scientific-technicalcontent of any deliverables. That task rests at the other subsidiarybodies. By this, GEAR will be facilitating the work and deci-sion-making of the Heads of Delegation, and HOD will have pos-sibility to focus the discussions on more strategic and policy rele-vant issues, since the scientific-technical outcomes will be coordi-nated from the management needs perspective by GEAR.GEAR analyses relationships between activities of HELCOM andEU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and propose ways on how toget better synergies in the implementation and improve coordina-tion between HELCOM and the EU Strategy.Based on the general rule that projects are decided by the Headsof Delegation, the Group will have an initiative to propose settingup projects.2. Maritime Group – Maritime Working GroupThe Maritime Working Group works to prevent any pollution fromships, including deliberate operational discharges as well as acciden-tal pollution.There are two main tasks that the Maritime Group focuses on:1.) to ensure that adopted regulations are observed and enforced ef-fectively and uniformly through close international co-operationand 2.) to identify and promote actions to limit sea-based pollutionwhile ensuring safe navigation.20 VII. Groups/Working GroupsThe background idea of that group is that the increasing maritimetransportation threatens fragile ecosystems and the livelihoods of themany people who depend on the sea. During the last decade ship-ping has steadily increased, reflecting intensifying cooperation andeconomic prosperity around the Baltic Sea region. An average of2,000 ships are at sea each day, including 200 tankers carrying oil orother potentially harmful products. It is estimated that the transpor-tation of goods by sea will double by 2017 in the Baltic region. Gen-eral cargo and container traffic is expected to triple, and oil transpor-tation may increase by 40%. The expansion and construction of oilterminals on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and regional economicgrowth may lead to even higher increases in shipping.As shipping is an international business, it needs international reg-ulations. All ships sailing the Baltic have to comply with the strictglobal and regional regulations, regardless of whatever flag they aresailing under.So, the Maritime group organises regular meetings involving repre-sentatives from inter-governmental organisations, non-governmen-tal organisations, maritime transportation authorities and pollutionincident response organisations.The group works closely together with other international bodiessuch as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensurethat international measures are properly applied and implemented inthe Baltic or the Regional Seas Programme (RSP) and the Global Pro-gramme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment fromLand-Based Activities (GPA) under UNEP to address the problemof marine litter both at regional as well as global level.Several expert groups contribute to the work of the MaritimeGroup. The Expert Working Group for Mutual Exchange and De-liveries of AIS data (HELCOM AIS EWG) works to facilitate mu-tual exchange and deliveries of Automatic Identification System(AIS) data and maintain and further develop HELCOM AIS.The HELCOM Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilitiesin the Baltic Sea aims to promote dialogue and exchange experienceon good practices in planning, implementing and operating PortReception Facilities (PRFs) for sewage.The HELCOM Group of Experts on Safety of Navigation (HEL-COM SAFE NAV) works to enhance navigational safety throughregional cooperation.VII. Groups/Working Groups 21And the Joint HELCOM/OSPAR Task Group on Ballast WaterManagement Convention Exemptions (HELCOM/OSPAR TGBALLAST) is working on developing a common framework on thespecific issue of exemptions for the Ballast Water ManagementConvention (2004), both for the Baltic Sea (managed by HEL-COM) and the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) regions.3. Pressure Group - Working Group on Reductionof Pressures from theBaltic Sea Catchment AreaThis new subsidiary body will have the role to provide the necessarytechnical underpinning to the work on nutrient and hazardous sub-stances inputs from diffuse sources and point sources on land, in-cluding to the follow-up of the implementation of the nutrient re-duction scheme. It will focus on developing solutions to the poli-cy-relevant questions and needs.The working group will investigate implementation progresses toidentify gaps and reduction potential in different land sectors andin non-Contracting Parties and will come up with proposals formeasures or actions to address these.The group will also lead the work on marine litter in HELCOM, in-cluding addressing sources on land and coordination of implemen-tation of the Regional Marine Litter Action Plan with other subsid-iary bodies according to their respective expertise. The Pres-sure-Group will also lead the HELCOM work on underwater noiseat sea, likewise in cooperation with other subsidiary bodies.The working group is responsible for producing and contributing,as appropriate, to deliverables and milestones of the Roadmap ofHELCOM activities on ecosystem approach, in a manner coordi-nated with other ongoing HELCOM processes. The group will co-operate with other subsidiary bodies i.e. on cross cutting issues, in-cluding with GEAR to the extent necessary for GEAR to ensure in-tegration and coherence of work to reach Good Environmental Sta-tus of the marine environment across the working groups. TheGroup will seek synergies with work carried out in other forums e.g.related to EU, OSPAR, Gothenburg Protocol under the UN ECECLRTAP, EUSBSR, and map these into its working programme.22 VII. Groups/Working GroupsThe work will follow the assessment cycles and deadlines agreed inBaltic Sea Action Plan and the Ministerial Declarations (Roadmap ofHELCOM activities on ecosystem approach), meaning that not allthe issues will be taken up on each occasion, but the agenda will bemore flexible, planned according to the finalized/upcoming tasks.The Pressure Group guides and utilizes the results of HELCOMwork on pollution load compilations in ad hoc structures, e.g. inorder to orientate these towards more policy usable reports andproducts.The WG will ensure the necessary expertise to respond to requeststo assess specific pollution sources at land as need may be. Priorityis given to reducing inputs. Being aware of the need to speed up thesteps towards the recovery of the Baltic Sea, innovative measuresmay be needed as complementary action.Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP ML)Under the responsibility of the Pressure Group the Regional ActionPlan on Marine Litter, that was adopted at the Heads of DelegationMeeting in June 2015, was developed. The Contracting Parties de-cided on a list of actions on marine litter assisted by the relevantHELCOM subsidiary bodies including via a lead country approach.In a follow up process to implement the RAP ML, the intention isto develop appropriate actions into concrete measures to preventand reduce marine litter. In doing so, cost-effectiveness of measuresand ongoing activities which can be used for the implementationshould be considered.The actions are divided into regional actions and voluntary nationalactions.The regional actions are those, requiring a joint approach by Con-tracting Parties and of a large-scale, widespread and transboundarycharacter. The joint approach could be, for instance, to address otherorganizations or institutions having the specific competence to act(e.g. exclusive competences of the European Union, the InternationalMaritime Organization regarding new regulations for shipping).The voluntary national actions are primarily of national concernand responsibility of the Contracting Parties. They are presented inthe format of a pick list for the Contracting Parties to voluntarily se-lect for their implementation according to national relevancy. TheVII. Groups/Working Groups 23voluntary national actions are part of the list with the aim to ex-change information and coordinate measures.Both types of actions are divided into three themes: 1.) actions tocombat land-based and 2.) sea-based sources of marine litter whichinclude also actions on removal and disposal of litter already presentin the marine environment, and 3.) actions for education and out-reach. Producing less litter by means of smart production is treatedas an integral theme.The Contracting Parties agreed to reach a good environmentalstatus of the Baltic Sea by 2020/2021, and the Regional ActionPlan on Marine Litter will be reviewed and, if necessary, updat-ed in 2021.4. Response - Response GroupThe Response Group was established as the challenges of maritimetraffic in the Baltic Sea have risen. Maritime traffic is intense, hasgrown remarkably during the recent years, and is predicted to growalso in the future. There are more than 2000 sizable ships at sea atany time.Furthermore, oil transportation is predicted to increase, especiallyin the Gulf of Finland, due to the construction and expansion ofRussian oil terminals. The increasing density of shipping and rapid-ly rising amounts of oil being transported by sea mean that the riskof an accident involving serous oil pollution will increase corre-spondingly, unless counteractive measures are implemented.So, the Response group has four main duties: 1.) to ensure swift na-tional and international response to maritime pollution incidents,2.) to ensure that in case of an accident the right equipment is avail-able and routines are in place to respond immediately in co-opera-tion with neighbouring states, 3.) to analyse developments in mari-time transportation around the Baltic and investigate possible im-pacts on international cooperation with regard to pollution re-sponse and 4.) to coordinate the aerial surveillance of maritimeshipping routes to provide a complete picture of sea-based pollutionaround the Baltic, and to help identify suspected polluters.24 VII. Groups/Working GroupsTherefore, the Response group coordinates two joint aerial surveil-lance flights a year as well as other operational exercises to combatpollution.The Group also continuously updates and reviews the HELCOMResponse Manuals – Volume 1 (Oil) and Volume 2 (Chemicals).Moreover, the Response group organises regular meetings involvingofficials responsible for responding to pollution incidents at sea andrepresentatives from inter-governmental organisations and non-gov-ernmental organisations.The group works closely with other relevant international bodies in-cluding Bonn Agreement, and the International Maritime Organisa-tion (IMO), to ensure international measures are suitably applied andimplemented in the Baltic.In order to ensure the co-operation in case of a pollution incidentthe Contracting Parties regularly carry out exercises. The exercisesrange from “paper” exercises to operational exercises.Most famous are the BALEX DELTA exercises, which test the alarmprocedures and response capability of the Contracting Parties incase of a major accident and an international response operation.5. State and Conservation Group - Working Groupon the State of the Environmentand Nature ConservationThe State and Conservation Working Group covers monitoring andassessment functions as well as issues related to nature conservationand biodiversity protection in HELCOM.A major aim of the State & Conservation group is to work acrossthe monitoring-indicators-assessment chain in order to providea stronger basis for coordinated development of the HELCOMthematic assessment tools and a coherent holistic assessment ofthe ecosystems health, including Baltic Sea Pressure Index andImpact Index.After close inspection, the State & Conservation group integrates -on technical and scientific level - the outcomes of various expertgroups and projects covering most of all eutrophication, hazardousVII. Groups/Working Groups 25substances and biodiversity, but also linking the relevant results pro-duced by other subsidiary bodies (e.g. pressures from shipping) intoa one coherent system.The group deploys a specific arrangement for its work, includingmeetings, in order to cater for the needs to efficiently cover the twothemes: monitoring and assessment theme as well as nature.Functioning of this arrangement for the work of the new subsidiarybody will be evaluated after two years.This arrangement will ensure that nature protection and biodiversi-ty, including marine protected areas, red listing of species and hab-itats as well as proposing nature conservation and other measureswill continue to receive a prominent place in HELCOM work.The work will follow the assessment cycles and deadlines agreed inBaltic Sea Action Plan and the Ministerial Declarations (Roadmap ofHELCOM activities on ecosystem approach), meaning that not allthe issues will be taken up on each occasion, but the agenda will bemore flexible, planned according to the finalized/upcoming tasks.The State and Conservation Group has the role to provide the nec-essary scientific-technical expertise and advice, including review ofthe content of deliverables produced by working groups, projectsand ad hoc activities.The working group is responsible for producing and contributing,as appropriate, to deliverables and to the Roadmap of HELCOMactivities on ecosystem approach, in a manner coordinated withother ongoing HELCOM processes. It cooperates with other sub-sidiary bodies i.e. on cross cutting issues, including with GEAR tothe extent necessary for GEAR to ensure integration and coherenceof work to reach Good Environmental Status of the marine envi-ronment across the working groups. It will seek synergies with workcarried out in other fora e.g. the relevant work undertaken in EU,ICES and OSPAR, and map these into the working programme.The working group is complemented with ad hoc working ar-rangements, i.e. expert and correspondence groups, intersessionalprocesses, and projects with specific tasks and limited duration asthey are an efficient and flexible way of working to solve specificproblems, address urgent issues, and develop clearly identifiedproducts according to predefined deadlines. The support by the adhoc arrangements will allow a new working structure to focustheir work on reviewing the results, providing advice and26 VII. Groups/Working Groupsguidance, and developing policy recommendations, according toits respective mandate. The Roadmap of HELCOM activities onecosystem approach will be used as a planning tool for such HEL-COM ad hoc work.Based on the general rule that projects are decided by the Heads ofDelegation, the Working Group will have an initiative to proposesetting up projects.6. Fish Group - Group on ecosystem-basedsustainable FisheriesThe Fish group is a time-limited group and deals with fisheries in re-lation to the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach.Moreover, the group will respond to the need to find solutions onhow the sector could further contribute to reaching the Good Envi-ronmental Status of the Baltic Sea by 2021.The group involves representatives from fisheries and environmentauthorities of the Baltic Sea countries, as well as EU, and HEL-COM observers and others as appropriate.The Fish Group was established against the background that theBaltic Sea Action Plan was adopted and the HELCOM Contract-ing Parties recommended that all fisheries management should bedeveloped and implemented based on the ecosystem approach inorder to enhance the balance between sustainable use and protec-tion of natural marine resources.HELCOM established the Baltic Fisheries and Environmental Fo-rum in 2008, replaced by the Group on Ecosystem-based Sustaina-ble Fisheries in 2014.The new group will also facilitate the implementation and fol-low-up the progress in fisheries-related actions of the HELCOMBaltic Sea Action Plan and Ministerial Declarations, including the2013 Copenhagen Ministerial Declaration. The Group will seek torecognize the interactions between fisheries and environmental con-servation objectives with the view to contribute to achieving the ob-jectives of fisheries and environment policies simultaneously.The Fish Group cooperates with ICES and will seek synergies withthe work of BALTFISH under the EUSBSR.VII. Groups/Working Groups 27It should be recognized that for the EU Member states, the Europe-an Union has exclusive competence in the matter of conservation ofmarine biological resources. The group should create added value,for the HELCOM countries being EU members, in relation to thework on implementation of EU legislation, taking into account thespecific needs of the Baltic Sea.7. Agriculture / Agri Group - Group on sustainableAgricultural practicesThe Agri Group – also a time-limited group - enhances dialogue be-tween agricultural and environmental authorities on the develop-ment and application of sustainable agricultural practices with theleast environmental impact on the Baltic Sea.The Focus will be on agricultural practices for reduced nutrientleakage for the Agri Group, bearing in mind that the agricultur-al sector is a main source of land-based nutrient pollution of theBaltic Sea.Therefore, the Group deals with agriculture in relation to the imple-mentation of the ecosystem-based approach. Agriculture sector hasbeen identified in the Baltic Sea as having important potential forenvironmental gains in relation to the nutrient losses and thus thestatus of the marine environment and the group will respond to theneed to find solutions how the sector could further contribute toreach a Good Environmental Status of the Baltic Sea by 2021.This new established group involves representatives from agricul-ture and environment authorities of the Baltic Sea countries, as wellas EU, and HELCOM Observers. It will provide a platform foragri-environmental policy measures and instruments and joint dis-cussion on the Baltic agriculture in the context of the protection ofthe marine environment, in order to address nutrient inputs andemissions from agriculture.Furthermore, it facilitates the implementation of part II Annex IIIof the Helsinki Convention “Prevention of Pollution from Agricul-ture”. Further it will support the implementation and follow-up theprogress in the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and MinisterialDeclarations, including the 2013 Copenhagen Ministerial Declara-tion and its Palette of measures for reducing phosphorus and nitro-gen losses from agriculture and contribution of agricultural sector28 VII. Groups/Working Groupsto reaching nutrient reduction targets, as well as relevant HEL-COM Recommendations.The Agri Group also produces and contributes to relevant delivera-bles and to the Roadmap of HELCOM activities on ecosystem ap-proach in a manner coordinated with other ongoing HELCOMprocesses. The working group cooperates with other subsidiary bod-ies i.e. on cross cutting issues, including with GEAR to the extentnecessary for GEAR to ensure integration and coherence of work toreach Good Environmental Status of the marine environmentacross the working groups. It will utilize in their work relevant in-formation produced by HELCOM subsidiary bodies and projects,and elsewhere, such as results of Pollution Load Compilations, fol-low-up of the nutrient reduction scheme, holistic assessments.It should be recognized that for the EU Member states, the Europe-an Union has exclusive competence in the matter of agriculture pol-icy. The Agri Group should create added values, for the HELCOMcountries being EU members, in relation to the work on implemen-tation of EU legislation, taking into account the specific needs ofthe Baltic Sea.8. HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial PlanningGroup - JOINT HELCOM-VASAB MARITIMESPATIAL PLANNING WORKING GROUPThe joint co-chaired Working Group on Maritime Spatial Planningwas launched in October 2010 by HELCOM and the Vision andStrategies around the Baltic Sea (VASAB) Committee on SpatialPlanning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (CSPD/BSR).The Working Group was established to ensure cooperation amongthe Baltic Sea Region countries for coherent regional Maritime Spa-tial Planning (MSP) processes in the Baltic Sea. The decision to setup this group was made at the HELCOM Moscow MinisterialMeeting on 20 May 2010, promoted by the VASAB MinisterialDeclaration on 16 October 2009 in Vilnius.After the streamlining process it is also constructed as a time-limit-ed group.VII. Groups/Working Groups 299. Habitat Group - Nature Protection andBiodiversity GroupThe Nature Protection and Biodiversity Group (HELCOM HABI-TAT) compiles information on the many ecosystems and habitatsthat provide vital breeding grounds, nurseries, shelter and foodsources for the plant and animal species that live in and around theBaltic Sea. The need to preserve these habitats must be carefullyconsidered in a whole range of human activities carried out in theBaltic Sea and its catchment area.HABITAT works to ensure that suitable information on habitats,species and the conservation of biodiversity is available for all HEL-COM’s main groups, to help them implement the ecosystem-basedmanagement approach and extend the principles of IntegratedCoastal Zone Management (ICZM) to cover the whole Baltic Sea.HABITAT identifies and assesses the current and potential impactsof human activities on Baltic marine biodiversity (ecosystems/habi-tats, species and genetic diversity), in order to provide informationon specific problems and the need for conservation for HELCOM’sother groups, ad hoc groups and projects.It also makes concrete proposals for consideration by the HEL-COM’s other main groups, ad hoc groups and projects regardingpossible measures to reduce or eliminate any impacts of current orplanned human activities that could adversely affect marine biodi-versity, habitats or species.So, priority areas are to co-ordinate regional activities to con-serve and protect biodiversity, species and habitats and promotethe sustainable use of living marine resources. HABITAT alsostrives to ensure the need for environmental protection is dulyconsidered in different activities that affect the marine environ-ment, by using tools such as spatial planning and environmentalimpact assessments.30 VII. Groups/Working Groups10. Land Group - Land-based Pollution GroupThe functions of the Land Group are - from September 2014 on-wards - handled by the Pressure Group. Because of the meaning ofthe group, its duties and responsibilities are presented.Most of the pollution in the Baltic Sea originates from sources onland. The Baltic has for centuries been used as a huge natural treat-ment plant for the wastes generated around its catchment area,which is nowadays home to almost 85 million people, and charac-terised by intensive industrial and agricultural development.The Land-based Pollution Group is responsible for reducing pollu-tion from all sources on land within the Baltic Seas catchment area.HELCOM LAND identifies point and diffuse sources of land-based pollution of nutrients and hazardous substances, and propos-es suitable actions in order to reduce these emissions and discharges.HELCOM LAND also works to promote environmentally soundpractices and technologies - Best Available Techniques (BAT) andBest Environmental Practices (BEP).Priority areas are 1.) eutrophication and hazardous substances and2.) implementation of the Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Envi-ronmental Action Programme (JCP).Concerning 1.), the objective is to reduce inputs of nutrients, espe-cially from diffuse sources such as agriculture and transport and topursue the cessation target for discharges, emissions and losses ofhazardous substance by 2020.Concerning 2.), the objective is to facilitate the implementation ofpollution reduction measures at the most polluted sites in the BalticSea catchment area maintaining the high external profile ofthe JCP concept and the “Hot Spot” label and complete the JCP by2012 at the latest.11. Monas Group - Monitoring andAssessment GroupThe functions of the MONAS Group are - from September 2014 on-wards - handled by the State and Conservation Group. Because of themeaning of the group, its duties and responsibilities are presented.VII. Groups/Working Groups 31The Monitoring and Assessment Group looks after one of HEL-COM’s key tasks by assessing trends in threats to the marine envi-ronment, their impacts, the resulting state of the marine environ-ment, and the effectiveness of adopted measures. This work formsthe basis for the work of HELCOM’s other main groups, and helpsto define the need for additional measures. HELCOM MONASaims to ensure that HELCOM’s monitoring programmes are effi-ciently used through horizontal co-ordination between the Com-mission’s five permanent working groups.Therefore, MONAS provides specific information to other HEL-COM main groups, ad hoc groups and projects on significant prob-lems and the areas affected.Each permanent group, ad hoc group and project reports toMONAS on their requirements for environmental monitoring andpollution load monitoring, and also on their own inputs to moni-toring and assessment products.MONAS also co-ordinated the development of HELCOM Ecolog-ical Objectives and is the body coordinating development of associ-ated indicators and monitoring programmes, ensuring that otherpermanent working groups, ad hoc groups and projects are duly in-volved and provide the necessary inputs.The priority areas are 1.) to implement the ecosystem approach tomanage human activities affecting the marine ecosystem and its liv-ing resources and 2.) to produce targeted and timely assessmentsand to coordinate.Concerning 1.), MONAS strives to develop a core set of HEL-COM indicators that support the elaboration of indicator-basedthematic assessments, holistic assessments, and implementation ofthe HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), by allowing the eval-uation of progress towards HELCOM Ecological Objectives agreedupon in the BSAP.Concerning 2.) MONAS attempts to produce targeted and timelyassessments and to coordinate by supporting monitoring pro-grammes based on the specific features of the Baltic Sea. The assess-ment products should contain information especially about thepresent state of the marine environment, long-term trends in thepollution load, other human activities and their impacts on the Bal-tic ecosystems and also recommendations for future actions.32 VIII. ProjectsVIII. ProjectsThe project that is mostly important for the Baltic Sea Parliamenta-ry Conference is HELCOM EUTRO-OPER. Making HELCOMEutrophication Assessments Operational (HELCOM EUTRO-OP-ER), is a time-limited project from 2014 to 2015.The EUTRO-OPER project aims toward a regularly updatedhigh-quality thematic assessment of eutrophication status, pro-duced through an operational and streamlined process. It is a con-tinuation to the CORE EUTRO process, stemming from the EU-TRO-, EUTRO PRO- and TARGREV projects, which have since2005 developed the indicator coreset, GES targets and assessmentmethodology, ending up in the latest update of eutrophication statusin the Baltic Sea in 2007-2011.The project pilots the production of assessment products throughefficient data flow processes, where Contracting Parties need to re-port their data only once in order to serve the requirements all ob-ligations, including the BSEP as well as EU Directives. During theproject, the entire assessment process, from monitoring and dataaggregation to assessment calculation will be defined and docu-mented and the practices as well as responsibilities of QA/QC guid-ance and review will be defined.The project will continue to improve the quality of the existing eu-trophication status core indicators through enabling use of remotesensing and ship-of-opportunity data. Gaps in the present indica-tor coreset will be filled through development of new indicators.The work on the assessment tool HEAT 3.0 will be continued. Inaddition, steps toward coordination of harmonizing the coastal andopen sea assessment will be taken.Sylvia BretschneiderPresident of the Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern34 Opening of the ConferenceAnnexAnnex 35Letter from Sylvia Bretschneider and Christina Gestrin to HELCOM36 GlossaryGlossaryAIS Automatic Identification SystemBALTHAZAR Baltic Hazardous and Agricultural ReleasesReduction projectBALTFIMPA Managing fisheries in Baltic marineprotected areasBRISK/BRISK-RU Sub-regional risk of spill of oil andhazardous substances in the Baltic SeaprojectBSAP Baltic Sea Action PlanBSPC Baltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceBWMC Ballast Water Management ConventionCCB Coalition Clean BalticCEPCO Coordinated Extended Pollution ControlOperationCG Correspondence GroupCORESET Development of HELCOM core setIndicators projectDG ECHO Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aidand Civil Protection department of theEuropean CommissionDG MARE Directorate-General for Maritime Affairsand Fisheries of the European CommissionEIA Environmental Impact AssessmentEMSA European Maritime Safety AgencyESPO European Sea Pro OrganisationEU MSFD EU Marine Strategy Framework DirectiveEU SBSR EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea RegionEUTRO-OPER HELCOM project, making eutrophicationassessments operationalGHG Green House GasesGEAR Group for Implementation of theEcosystem ApproachGES Strategic Coordination Group or theWorking Group on GoodEnvironmental Status (EU)Glossary 37HABITAT Nature Protection and Biodiversity GroupHOD Heads of DelegationIAEA International Atomic Energy AgencyICES International Council for the Explorationof the SeaICZM Integrated Coastal Zone ManagementIDUM International Dialogue on UnderwaterMunitionsIMO International Maritime OrganizationIUCN International Union for Conservation ofNatureIWGAS Informal Working Group on AerialSurveillanceJCP Baltic Sea Joint ComprehensiveEnvironmental Action ProgrammeLIFE+ EU Financial Instrument for theEnvironmentLAND Land-based pollution groupMAI Maximum Allowable InputsMARITIME Maritime groupMARPOL International Convention for thePrevention of Marine Pollution from ShipsMEPC Marine Environment ProtectionCommittee of the IMOMONAS Monitoring and Assessment GroupMORS Monitoring of radioactive substances in theBaltic Sea projectMSFD Maritime Strategy Framework DirectiveMSP Maritime Spatial PlanningMUNI EG Ad Hoc expert Group on dumped chemicalmunitions projectMPA Marine Protected AreaNECA NOx Emission Control AreaNEFCO Nordic Environment Finance CorporationNIB Nordic Investment BankNIP National Implementation PlanOSPAR Convention for the Protection of themarine Environment of the North-EastAtlantic38 GlossaryPIU Project Implementation UnitPLC Pollution Load Compilation projectPRF Port reception facilityPSG Project Steering GroupPURE Project on Urban reduction ofeutrophicationQA/QC Combination of Quality Assurance andQuality Control, the process or set ofprocesses used to measure and assure thequality of a productRESPONSE Response groupRSC Regional Seas ConventionsSALAR Project on the state of salmon andsea trout populations in riversflowingto the Baltic SeaSCR Selective Catalytic ReductionSECA SOx emission control areaSYKE Finnish Environment InstituteTARGREV Review of the ecological targets foreutrophication of theHELCOM BSAP projectTSS Traffic and Scheduling SystemVASAB Vision and Strategies around the Baltic SeaWDF Water Framework DirectiveWWF World Wildlife FundWWTP Wastewater treatment plantBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conference Secretariatwww.bspc.netBSPC Secretariatc/o Lennéstraße 119053 SchwerinGermanyPhone (+49) 385 525 2777