Minutes of HELCOM HOD 36/2011 Documents... · MINUTES OF HELCOM HOD 36/2011 Page 2 of 37 MINUTES OF THE 36TH MEETING OF HEADS OF DELEGATION ... 3.1 (LD 12) The Meeting took note of

HELSINKI COMMISSION HELCOM HOD 36/2011

Heads of Delegation 36th Meeting Helsinki, Finland, 5-6 December 2011

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TABLE OF CONTENTS MINUTES OF THE 36TH MEETING OF HEADS OF DELEGATION (HELCOM HOD) .......... 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 2 Agenda Item 1 Adoption of the Agenda .............................................................................. 2 Agenda Item 2 Preparations for HELCOM 33/2012 and the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial

Meeting ...................................................................................................... 2 Agenda Item 3 Matters arising from the HELCOM Groups ................................................. 3 Agenda Item 4 HELCOM institutional and organisational matters .....................................13 Agenda Item 5 Information and communication strategy ...................................................14 Agenda Item 6 Any other business....................................................................................15 Agenda Item 7 Next meeting(s) .........................................................................................15 Agenda Item 8 Outcome of the Meeting ............................................................................15 Annex 1 List of Participants …………………………………………………………...…16 Annex 2 Provisional Agenda for HELCOM 33/2012 (6–7 March 2012) ………...…..19 Annex 3 Project “Revision of the HELCOM monitoring programmes

(HELCOM MORE)” ……………………………………………………….……20 Annex 4 Project "Study on Biological Surveys Protocols and Target

Species Selection" ………………………………………………………..……25 Annex 5 Project “Review of Fifth Baltic Sea Pollution Load Compilation

for 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting (HELCOM PLC-5.5)” …………..…28 List of Documents ………………………………………………………………35

MINUTES OF HELCOM HOD 36/2011

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MINUTES OF THE 36TH MEETING OF HEADS OF DELEGATION

(HELCOM HOD)

INTRODUCTION

0.1 The 36th Meeting of HELCOM Heads of Delegation was convened at the premises of HELCOM Secretariat in Helsinki, Finland, on 5–6 December 2011, in accordance with the decision of HELCOM HOD 35/2011 (LD 96).

0.2 The Meeting was attended by participants from all Contracting Parties as well by Observers from BSPC, CPMR and WWF. The List of Participants is contained in Annex 1.

Agenda Item 1 Adoption of the Agenda

Documents: 1/1, 1/1/Rev. 1, 1/2, 1/2/Rev. 1

1.1 (LD 1) The Meeting adopted the Agenda as contained in document 1/1/Rev. 1.

Agenda Item 2 Preparations for HELCOM 33/2012 and the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting

Documents: 2/1, 2/1/Rev. 1, 2/2, 2/3

2.1 (LD 2) The Meeting discussed the provisional agenda for HELCOM 33/2012 (document 2/1) and took note of the tentative time schedule for the meeting.

2.2 (LD 3) The Meeting noted the importance of the revision of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) to support the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan to be addressed at HELCOM 33/2012.

2.3 (LD 4) The Meeting congratulated Poland for the recently arranged 2nd Annual Forum on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region / 13th Baltic Development Forum Summit held on 24–26 October 2011 in Gdansk, Poland.

2.4 (LD 5) The Meeting adopted the slightly revised provisional agenda for HELCOM 33/2012 (document 2/1/Rev.1), as contained in Annex 2, and decided to arrange a Heads of Delegation meeting on 5 March 2012.

2.5 (LD 6) The Meeting discussed the outline for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial meeting (document 2/2). The Meeting agreed that the tentative agenda will be further developed in the course of preparation for the Ministerial meeting.

2.6 (LD 7) The Meeting took note of the view of Finland that it may be challenging to enable full-fledged updating of the HELCOM assessments for the Ministerial meeting and asked HELCOM MONAS to consider the need for their updating.

2.7 (LD 8) The Meeting agreed to come back to the arrangements and the content of the Ministerial meeting during HELCOM 33/2012 and invited all Subsidiary Bodies to consider their specific deliverables for the meeting.

2.8 (LD 9) The Meeting took note of the information on the follow-up of implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan Index of Actions (document 3/25), thanked the Secretariat for the overview and agreed on the use of the updated BSAP Index of Actions for monitoring of the BSAP implementation progress.

2.9 (LD 10) The Meeting requested the Contracting Parties to make the first update of the index table with relevant national and general information by 5 February 2012 and invited the Subsidiary Bodies to update the Index during their meetings.


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2.10 (LD 11) The Meeting considered the draft outline for a HELCOM statement/contribution in the context of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil in June 2012 (document 2/3) and took note of the comment by the EU e.g. on the need to accommodate the statement for the UN agenda, e.g. ecosystem approach, marine protected areas, fisheries and blue/green economy. The Meeting asked the Contracting Parties to provide their comments to the statement to the Secretariat ([email protected]) by 13 January 2012.

Agenda Item 3 Matters arising from the HELCOM Groups

Documents: 3/1, 3/1/Add.1, 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/5, 3/6, 3/7, 3/8, 3/9, 3/10, 3/11, 3/12, 3/13, 3/14, 3/15, 3/16, 3/17, 3/18, 3/19, 3/20, 3/21, 3/22, 3/23, 3/24, 3/25, 3/26, 3/27, 3/28, 3/29, 3/30

3.1 (LD 12) The Meeting took note of the Outcome of the 15th Meeting of the Monitoring and Assessment Group (HELCOM MONAS 15/2011), held in Vilnius, Lithuania 4–7 October 2011 (document 3/3), presented by Ms. Anna-Stiina Heiskanen, Chair of HELCOM MONAS, in general and more specifically:

- noted that MONAS agreed on the publication of the updated indicator fact sheets on the HELCOM website,

- took note of the activities on-going under MONAS to update the core eutrophication indicators on the HELCOM webpage,

- approved the organizing of the expert workshop on improvement of HELCOM assessment tools on 15–16 December 2011 in Gothenburg, Sweden,

- took note of the publication of the report by EMEP ”Atmospheric supply of nitrogen, lead, cadmium, mercury and dioxins/furans to the Baltic Sea in 2009” on the HELCOM website,

- noted the clarifications made to the Extended Terms of Reference of HELCOM LOAD as well as the proposed changes in the working programme of the Group,

- approved the roadmap for revising the country-wise reduction targets amended by HELCOM MONAS 15/2011 and HELCOM LOAD Core Group (as contained Annex 4 of document 3/3),

- welcomed the on-going activities to develop a core pressure indicator on nutrient loads for the follow-up of the progress towards BSAP nutrient load targets and early plans that HELCOM LOAD should begin the process to modernize the PLC database so that it is accessible via the internet for check, updating and downloading data,

- welcomed the progress of work of the Expert Group on Monitoring of Radioactive Substances in the Baltic Sea (MORS-PRO), Zooplankton Expert Group (HELCOM ZEN QAI) and Phytoplankton Expert Group (HELCOM PEG),

- noted the report on disposal of dredged spoils into the Baltic Sea for 2007–2010 and that the progress in revising the HELCOM Guidelines for the Disposal of Dredged Material at Sea is pending on cooperation and progress in OSPAR, and further, invited Estonia and the Russian Federation to report their missing data as soon as possible,

- underlined the importance of the reporting of data by the Contracting Parties to the ICES database, e.g. to support the updating of HELCOM indicators, noting that data is being reported from fewer stations than in the past and that no data has been received from Estonia during recent years,

- endorsed the updated HELCOM MONAS work programme for 2012–2014 as contained in Annex 6 of document 3/3,

- thanked Chair of HELCOM MONAS Anna-Stiina Heiskanen, Finland, and Vice-Chair of HELCOM MONAS Lars M. Svendsen, Denmark, for their dedicated work in 2009–2011 and welcomed their re-election for the two year period of 2011–2013,

- recalled that the meeting of HELCOM MONAS 16/2012 will be organised in Warsaw, Poland on 11–13 April 2012 and approved the organizing of HELCOM MONAS 17/2012 on 25-28 September 2012 in Gothenburg, Sweden.

3.2 (LD 13) The Meeting appreciated the important input to HELCOM processes from HELCOM MONAS and also stressed the importance of maintaining transparency and openness in the preparation of background documents from MONAS for the HELCOM

mailto:[email protected]


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Ministerial meeting in 2013, such as the review of maximum allowable inputs and country-wise nutrient reduction targets.

3.3 (LD 14) The Meeting noted the various activities ongoing under HELCOM MONAS and the expected time demands and invited Denmark to consider its possibilities to schedule the Ministerial meeting in autumn 2013 so as to accommodate the delivery of the necessary scientific input.

3.4 (LD 15) The Meeting re-considered the proposed HELCOM MORE project for the revision of the joint HELCOM monitoring programmes, took note of the view of HELCOM MONAS on the importance of the involvement of HELCOM Contracting Parties in the revision of the joint regional monitoring and noted the proposed amendments by Denmark to the project proposal (document 3/8).

3.5 (LD 16) The Meeting stressed the importance of timely revision of the joint HELCOM monitoring programmes based on the needs for the implementation of the BSAP, as well as the EU MSFD and WFD for those Contracting Parties that are also EU Member States, and welcomed the start of the HELCOM monitoring revision as soon as possible.

3.6 (LD 17) The Meeting accepted the proposed amendments to the project description by Denmark (attachment 2 of document 3/8) and agreed to execute the project as contained in Annex 3.

3.7 (LD 18) The Meeting took note of the information by Sweden that they will need to re-confirm their offer of 20,000€ and a Project Manager for the project, and will inform the Secretariat accordingly as soon as possible. The Meeting invited also other Contracting Parties to consider their possibilities to part fund the project.

3.8 (LD 19) The Meeting invited the Secretariat to promote the needs of HELCOM related to the revision of monitoring programmes towards possible externally funded scientific projects under the BONUS programme that could provide scientific input to the needs for regional joint monitoring.

3.9 (LD 20) The Meeting agreed to fund the HELCOM MORE project from the HELCOM budget as far as the budget will not be covered by extra contributions by the Contracting Parties.

3.10 (LD 21) The Meeting took note of the Outcomes of the Fourth and Fifth Meetings of HELCOM Joint Advisory Board of the HELCOM CORESET and TARGREV projects held in Vilnius, Lithuania 4 October 2011 and Helsinki, Finland 16–17 November 2011 (document 3/12), presented by Ms. Anna-Stiina Heiskanen, Chair of HELCOM CORESET/TARGREV JAB in general and agreed on the arranging of the following meetings:

- HELCOM CORESET expert team meetings during January and February 2012,

- the Fifth HELCOM CORE EUTRO workshop for the updating of the eutrophication core indicators on 14–15 March 2012,

- the Fifth HELCOM CORESET biodiversity expert workshop (HELCOM CORESET BD 5/2012) on 27–28 March 2012,

- the Sixth Meeting of the HELCOM Joint Advisory Board of CORESET/TARGREV project (HELCOM JAB 6/2012) on 13–15 February 2012, welcoming the information that Sweden is willing to host this meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, and

- the Seventh Meeting of the HELCOM Joint Advisory Board of CORESET/TARGREV project (HELCOM JAB 7/2012) on 4–5 June 2012.

3.11 (LD 22) The Meeting invited the Contracting Parties to inform the Secretariat of their possibilities to host any of the above meetings.

3.12 (LD 23) The Meeting appreciated the work carried out by the Joint Advisory Board. The Meeting discussed the role of the Joint Advisory Board as the regional coordination platform fulfilling also the needs of the EU member Contracting States arising from the


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Marine Strategy Framework Directive and noted that currently the group has limited tasks that relate to indicators and assessments and it reports to HELCOM MONAS.

3.13 (LD 24) The Meeting was open for the broadening of the tasks of the group and pointed out that this should enable an increased focus on the facilitation of the implementation of the ecosystem approach and the BSAP as well as MSFD for those Contracting Parties that are also EU member states. The Meeting invited the Secretariat to produce draft Terms of Reference for a broadened coordination platform, linking the implementation of the ecosystem approach, BSAP and MSFD for submission to HELCOM 33/2012.

3.14 (LD 25) The Meeting welcomed the progress of the HELCOM TARGREV project as presented by Project Coordinator Mr. Jacob Carstensen, Denmark and took note of the information on how the HELCOM bodies have been informed of the progress and associated to this scientific project (document 3/18, Presentation 1). The Meeting welcomed the information that BNI in Stockholm will use the preliminary targets from the project for preliminary recalculation of BSAP targets and has already initiated the recalculation process.

3.15 (LD 26) The Meeting acknowledged that the TARGREV project provides sound scientific basis not only for the work on the review of the environmental targets and maximum allowable inputs for implementation of the HELCOM BSAP, but also of the EU MSFD, and agreed that transparent and open process with elaboration of the targets should give a solid ground for the monitoring of the progress of the BSAP review.

3.16 (LD 27) The Meeting emphasized the importance of the finalisation of the report of the project and regretted that not all work related to benthic fauna had been completed. The Meeting invited the project to revise the final report for the submission to HELCOM JAB 6/2012 two weeks prior to the meeting at the latest, based on the comments by the experts of the Contracting Parties received during the review round, and agreed to consider the publishing of the revised report during HELCOM 33/2012 based on the recommendation by HELCOM JAB 6/2012.

3.17 (LD 28) The Meeting considered the report “Development of a set of core indicators: Interim report of the HELCOM CORESET project” (document 3/21) and appreciated the report as an important input to national implementation processes for the BSAP as well as the MSFD.

3.18 (LD 29) The Meeting, noting the study reservation by Germany, agreed in principle on the inclusion into the report of a disclaimer “This publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the Helsinki Commission. This report should not be regarded as final but should be regarded as an important expert input to follow up the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, including the facilitation of the national implementation of the EU MSFD for those Contracting Parties that are also EU member states, according to the role of HELCOM as a platform for regional coordination.” The Meeting invited Germany to clarify its study reservation by 16 December 2011 by informing the Secretariat.

3.19 (LD 30) The Meeting approved the publishing of the CORESET Interim Report on the HELCOM web page in the Baltic Sea Environment Proceedings series after the language check and lay out editing, and thanked the project core staff Mr. Samuli Korpinen and Ms. Ulla Li Zweifel for their excellent work.

3.20 (LD 31) The Meeting took note of the draft Indicator-based assessment of coastal fish community status in the Baltic Sea, 2005–2009 (document 3/11) and agreed on tacit approval of the publication of the assessment in the Baltic Sea Environment Proceedings series, depending on whether possible comments by the Seventh Meeting of HELCOM FISH/ENV Forum can be integrated into the report without need for additional approval rounds.

3.21 (LD 32) The Meeting took note of comments by Poland about the importance of monitoring of coastal fish communities within overall revision of HELCOM monitoring programme and that Poland is planning to establish coastal fish monitoring.


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3.22 (LD 33) The Meeting took note of the Outcome of the Tenth Meeting of the HELCOM Maritime Group, 15–17 November 2011, in Helsinki (document 3/15), presented by Ms. Lolan Eriksson, the HELCOM MARITIME Chairlady, and more specifically:

- welcomed the decision by IMO (MEPC 62 in July 2011) to designate the Baltic Sea as a Special Area for sewage discharges from passenger ships under MARPOL Annex IV, which will enter into force when IMO is notified of availability of adequate reception facilities for sewage in ports of the Baltic Sea; and congratulated the Maritime Group and the Chairlady for this HELCOM success;

- took note that the nutrient removal standards for treatment plants onboard ships operating in the Baltic Sea Special Area are expected to be agreed within IMO next year;

- welcomed the progress in the framework of the Cooperation Platform on Port Reception Facilities (PRF) and with broad stakeholder involvement, including a number of workshops and activities to facilitate the upgrading of PRF for sewage and the ongoing work to develop HELCOM Guidance on operational and technical aspects of sewage delivery;

- welcomed the progress in establishing the strengthened regional cooperation in maritime safety, as required by the HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Declaration, including the arrangement by Sweden in cooperation with Denmark of the HELCOM Meeting of Experts on Maritime Safety on 22 February 2011 in Malmö, the identification of areas for the cooperation, and arrangement of the second HELCOM Meeting of Experts on Maritime Safety on 9 February 2012 in Denmark.

3.23 (LD 34) The Meeting considered the progress regarding the designation of the Baltic Sea as a NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) and agreed that with a view to discuss the NECA submission during HELCOM 33/2012:

- the Correspondence Group will continue the work with a scope to review the issue of abatement technology and related matters, including considering which status the review paper should have if considered for submission to IMO and that the work should be carried out, including a possibility for relevant experts to meet during late January/beginning of February 2012, with a view to present the findings at HELCOM 33/2012;

- the application to IMO, to designate the Baltic Sea as NECA fulfills in principle the IMO criteria in Appendix III to Annex VI to MARPOL, and thus is ready for a political decision. The findings and possible recommendations of the Correspondence Group on abatement technology and related matters should be considered by the HELCOM Heads of Delegation, including whether to accommodate these in the submission, taking into account the ongoing work in the IMO Correspondence Group on technology.

3.24 (LD 35) The Meeting took note of the information that the technology to meet the NECA emission requirements is developing rapidly and that apart from a new generation of engines equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction to meet IMO Tier III, the use of LNG as marine fuel is an alternative. The Meeting considered it important for further reducing ship emissions to promote the LNG fuel and development of the needed infrastructure as a future solution for the Baltic Sea.

3.25 (LD 36) The Meeting took note of the information by the HELCOM MARITIME Chairlady on the work ongoing within the North Sea region to soon finalize studies on socio-economic impacts and environmental benefits of NECA. The Meeting took note of the information by Russia that the designation of the North Sea as a NECA would strengthen the positive environmental effect on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.

3.26 (LD 37) The Meeting took note of the comment by WWF on the need to proceed with the submission of the Baltic Sea NECA proposal to IMO as quickly as possible and the importance of this measure for fighting eutrophication of the Baltic.

3.27 (LD 38) The Meeting fully supported the request by the Maritime Group to approach the OSPAR Secretariat to investigate the possibility to organize a joint workshop with the


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view to establishing a joint working group for closer cooperation with the North Sea countries on the risk assessments and other relevant Ballast Water Management issues.

3.28 (LD 39) The Meeting further welcomed the offer of Germany to host the possible joint workshop following a decision of the OSPAR Contracting Parties and mandated the Correspondence Group on the implementation of the Ballast Water Roadmap under the lead of Germany to further work on the content of the joint workshop, as well as on a Terms of Reference for a possible joint working group to be agreed via correspondence.

3.29 (LD 40) The Meeting welcomed the proposals of the Maritime Group for issues for the 2013 Ministerial meeting e.g. to address emissions from ships, also from existing ships and to promote the use of LNG fuel to further reduce emissions and the risk of environmental pollution. Other important issues for the Ministerial meeting are safety of navigation and pro-active route planning, currently investigated within Tanker Safety Project and MONA LISA project.

3.30 (LD 41) The Meeting took note of the comment by Russia that the issues of pro-active route planning should be considered by the upcoming HELCOM Meeting of Experts on Maritime Safety on 9 February 2012.

3.31 (LD 42) The Meeting welcomed the information by Sweden on awarding the Swedish Baltic Sea Water Award to Mr. Jorma Kämäräinen, Finland, leading a number of important initiatives within HELCOM MARITIME.

3.32 (LD 43) The Meeting considered the outcome of the HELCOM Project “Pilot risk assessments of alien species transfer on intra-Baltic ship voyages” (document 3/14) and approved the report as the outcome of the project, to provide the basis for further discussions on the harmonized implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention in the Baltic Sea area.

3.33 (LD 44) The Meeting considered the project proposal for "Study on Biological Surveys Protocols and Target Species Selection" (document 3/28) and welcomed the offer by Sweden and Finland to contribute financially to the study.

3.34 (LD 45) The Meeting adopted the project proposal for a Study on Biological Surveys Protocols and Target Species Selection as contained in Annex 4, asking Estonia to provide the Secretariat with possible comments about their study reservation by 12 December 2011 and invited Germany to confirm their possible financial contribution to the project as soon as possible.

3.35 (LD 46) The Meeting considered the draft HELCOM Recommendation on unified interpretation in relation to access to and use of HELCOM AIS (document 3/24) and agreed on the following amendments:

- to add “institutions in Russia” when specifying users of the HELCOM AIS,

- to revise the last paragraph in a preamble part to read “REQUESTS the AIS Expert Working Group to regularly evaluate the implementation of this Recommendation and amend the attached Guidelines as need be”.

3.36 (LD 47) The Meeting took note of the comment by Poland on the need to differentiate between historical and real-time data when considering the access to HELCOM AIS.

3.37 (LD 48) With the above amendments (LD 46), the Meeting supported the Recommendation in principle and requested the Contracting Parties to provide their possible further comments to the Secretariat by 16 January 2012 with a view to forwarding the Recommendation for adoption by HELCOM 33/2012.

3.38 (LD 49) The Meeting took note of the information by the European Union on a number of initiatives by the European Commission in the maritime field, including:

- the ongoing revision of the Port Reception Facilities Directive, with a proposal expected to be ready by the end of 2012/early 2013,


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- a possible legal proposal addressing alien species, following an impact assessment expected to be put forward by mid-2012,

- a possible proposal for an EU action on Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management expected by mid-2012.

3.39 (LD 50) The Meeting welcomed the offer by Denmark to host HELCOM MARITIME 11/2012 on 6–8 November 2012.

3.40 (LD 51) The Meeting highlighted the importance of involvement of all relevant HELCOM groups to contribute to the development of transboundary ecosystem based Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in the Baltic Sea and noted the increasing involvement of the Maritime Group in the MSP issues.

3.41 (LD 52) The Meeting took note of the presentation by Mr. Hermanni Backer, Project Manager of the Plan Bothnia Project, on testing joint HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning principles (document 3/16, Presentation 2). The Meeting appreciated the work carried out by the project and that it contributes knowledge to national processes, including the creation of national legislation on maritime spatial planning.

3.42 (LD 53) The Meeting noted comments by the EU that linking of existing ICZM planning and the upcoming management of the offshore areas within the MSP is crucial to avoid duplication and ensure coherence in application of both instruments.

3.43 (LD 54) The Meeting took note of the information by Germany that the BaltSeaPlan project will hold its final conference on 12 January 2012 in Berlin, Germany.

3.44 (LD 55) The Meeting took note of the Outcome of the Fifth Meeting of the ad hoc HELCOM SEAL Expert Group (HELCOM SEAL 5/2011) held on 20–21 September, in Tallinn, Estonia (document 3/4) and welcomed the activity on revising the Terms of Reference of the distribution team, as well as the rotation of the team leaders and team leader countries.

3.45 (LD 56) The Meeting welcomed the activity on the setting of Limit Reference Levels for each Baltic Sea seal management unit but could not agree on the proposed Reference Levels. The Meeting invited the group to further strengthen the scientific background of the Limit Reference Level proposals, e.g. through an evaluation of different risk levels, and taking IUCN work into consideration and welcomed the willingness of Finland and Sweden to further increase their involvement in this scientific work and invited submitting a proposal to the next meeting of the HELCOM SEAL in September 2012.

3.46 (LD 57) The Meeting also expressed its support to the seal-related work of the HELCOM CORESET project for development of biodiversity indicators and emphasized that this work should converge with the work by the HELCOM SEAL group.

3.47 (LD 58) The Meeting thanked Mr. Arne Bjørge, Norway, for his dedicated work during 2006–2011 as Chair of the HELCOM SEAL ad hoc expert group and welcomed the election of Mr. Anders Galatius, Denmark, as new Chair of HELCOM SEAL for 2011–2013.

3.48 (LD 59) The Meeting agreed on the organizing of the Sixth Meeting of the HELCOM SEAL expert group (HELCOM SEAL 6/2912) on 11–12 September 2012 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

3.49 (LD 60) The Meeting asked the Contracting Parties to inform the Secretariat ([email protected]) of their possibilities to host the HELCOM HABITAT 14/2012 meeting on 22–25 May 2012.

3.50 (LD 61) The Meeting took note of the Outcome of the third meeting of the HELCOM ad hoc Expert Group to update and review the existing information on dumped chemical munitions in the Baltic Sea (HELCOM MUNI 3/2011) on 22–24 November in Riga, Latvia (document 3/20) as well as:

- took note of the revised structure and timeline for preparation of the updated report (cf. Annex 2 and para 3.78–3.82 of document 3/20);



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- welcomed readiness of Russia to submit their national report to the Secretariat preferably by 31 December 2011, in order to allow inclusion of this information in the HELCOM MUNI report;

- requested Russia to clarify its study reservation on the recovery of dumped chemical munitions till HELCOM 33/2012;

- noting that Denmark is no longer willing to collect and compile HELCOM annual reports on incidents related to dumped chemical munitions, tasked the Secretariat to investigate possibilities to carry out this activity;

- invited HELCOM RESPONSE to consider the need for updating the HELCOM Combating Manual, Volume II with a chapter on precautionary measures related to possible contamination by chemical warfare agents, when the HELCOM MUNI Report has been finalised;

- approved arrangement of the Fourth Meeting of HELCOM MUNI during 14–16 May 2012, invited Russia to consider possibility of hosting the meeting and agreed that should no Contracting Party offer to host the meeting, it will be held at the premises of the HELCOM Secretariat.

3.51 (LD 62) The Meeting took note of the information by Poland on recently published issue of the Marine Technology Journal fully devoted to the activities of the International Dialogue for Underwater Munitions (IDUM), as well as on the secured funding and start-up of the CHEMSEA Project.

3.52 (LD 63) The Meeting took note of the Outcome of the 14th Meeting of the HELCOM RESPONSE Group, held on 13–15 September 2011, in Helsinki, Finland (document 3/1) presented by Mr. Bernt Stedt, Chairman of HELCOM RESPONSE, in general, as well as specifically:

- noted the progress in the work of the Expert Working Group on Shoreline Response, co-led by Germany and Poland, to amend the HELCOM Response Manual and develop a new HELCOM Recommendation,

- took note that the next meeting of the EWG on Shoreline Response will be hosted by Finland on 9 December 2011,

- thanked Denmark for the successfully organized 2011 BALEX DELTA exercise and welcomed the organization of the next year’s BALEX DELTA by Finland, 29–30 August 2012, and the organization of the Authority Exchange Meeting on oiled wildlife response by Finland and WWF Finland in conjunction with the exercise,

- thanked Finland and the participating countries for organizing/contributing to 2011 SuperCEPCO aerial surveillance operation and welcomed the organization of CEPCO North 2012 by Sweden and CEPCO South 2012 by Poland,

- took note that the next meeting of the Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance will take place on 20–21 March 2012, in Riga, Latvia,

- approved organizing the 15th Meeting of the Response Group on 18–20 April 2012 in

Poland and the 16th Meeting of the Group in the fall in Denmark.

3.53 (LD 64) The Meeting approved the revised HELCOM Recommendation 19/18 on reporting on incidents involving harmful substances and emergency dumping (document 3/1/Add.1) and decided to forward it to HELCOM 33/2012 for adoption.

3.54 (LD 65) The Meeting took note of the remark by Denmark that while this country is willing to offer their assistance in case of pollution at the shore to neighbouring countries, at the same time they will also have to ensure availability of sufficient national response capabilities in case of shoreline pollution incidents in Denmark.

3.55 (LD 66) The Meeting considered the draft HELCOM Recommendation on co-operation in response to spillages of oil and other harmful substances on the shore (document 3/13) and approved it for adoption by HELCOM 33/2012.


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3.56 (LD 67) The Meeting took note of the request by Estonia to provide information on response capabilities in the port of Ust-Luga and of the information by Russia that according to national legislation each oil terminal is required to put a contingency plan in place before the terminal is opened. The Meeting requested the Response Group to include this issue on the agenda for the next meeting.

3.57 (LD 68) The Meeting noted the discussion in the Response Group on the CECIS (the EU Common Emergency Communication and Information System) added value comparing to the current basic but operational HELCOM system and on the CECIS possible use on the regional basis. The Meeting took note that the EU is aware of these concerns and is investigating the possibilities to avoid double reporting.

3.58 (LD 69) The Meeting took note and discussed the information on the progress within the BRISK and BRISK-RU Projects on sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea (document 3/27), presented by Mr. Bernt Stedt, Chairman of HELCOM RESPONSE.

3.59 (LD 70) The Meeting re-iterated the importance of the BRISK/BRISK-RU Projects for improving response capabilities in the Baltic Sea and, based on the comments by the Contracting Parties received during the Meeting, requested the Projects to include the following specific topics in the final report to be completed in January 2012:

- a concise and transparent description of methodology of the risk assessment in order to be able to compare the results of the project with other risk assessments,

- information on added value of the risk assessment for bilateral and multilateral agreements such as an agreement between Poland and Russia,

- indicate that while the risk analysis points to the hot spots with the highest risks for spills on an overall Baltic-wide scale, some other areas, with relatively lower but still existing risks should also be highlighted and addressed,

- that some of the suggested risk reduction measures fall outside international maritime law and their hypothetical character should be highlighted.

3.60 (LD 71) The Meeting requested the BRISK and BRISK-RU Projects to in addition reflect the outcome of the BRISK/BRISK-RU Final Conference on 8 December 2011 in Helsinki in the final report and to forward the final report to HELCOM 33/2012 for consideration.

3.61 (LD 72) The Meeting took note of the information by the European Union on developments of a new EU regulation on offshore activities, including liability in relation to safety and environmental aspects of offshore exploration and production in EU marine waters.

3.62 (LD 73) The Meeting approved the project proposal for updating the Fifth Baltic Sea Pollution Load Compilation for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial meeting (HELCOM PLC-5.5) (document 3/6, Annex 5) and urged the Contracting Parties that have not yet provided their complete PLC datasets for 2009–2010 to do so as soon as possible but not later than by 31 December 2011 to the Data Consultant ([email protected]) enabling the quick start-up of the new project.

3.63 (LD 74) The Meeting took note of the published PLC-5 report, handed out during the meeting and that the Executive Summary of this report will be published in the first quarter of 2012. The Meeting expressed its gratitude to the PLC-5 Project Group for completion of this important task and wished success for the upcoming work on PLC 5.5 Project.

3.64 (LD 75) The Meeting took note of the information on the EU project "Environmental monitoring of the Black Sea with focus on nutrient pollution" (2011–2013), a collaboration project between the Black Sea Commission and Helsinki Commission (document 3/5) and agreed that the project should also be used for informing other entities of the specificities and needs of semi-enclosed brackish water seas.



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3.65 (LD 76) The Meeting considered the proposal for continuation of the HELCOM SALAR Project (SALAR II) (document 3/7) and took note of the comment by Estonia and Finland on the need to develop practical implementation of the habitat restoration in the priority salmon rivers and better harmonisation of the proposed project activities with national restoration programmes.

3.66 (LD 77) The Meeting noted the information by the EU on the need to consider also other possible sources of funding for SALAR II in case the funding from DG MARE will not be made available and requested the Secretariat to clarify the issue of funding by the Seventh Meeting of the HELCOM Fisheries and Environment Forum on 24–25 January 2012 as well as Denmark to clarify their study reservation on the proposal by this meeting.

3.67 (LD 78) The Meeting appreciated the results achieved in Phase I of the BALTHAZAR-project (document 3/9) and welcomed the on-going and planned activities in the current Phase. The Meeting acknowledged the importance of the project activities in implementation of the HELCOM BSAP in Russia by e.g. by performing screening activities of sources of hazardous substances in order to enable a complete picture in the whole Baltic Sea region as a complement of the activities in the COHIBA-project and enhancing the production of environmental data for HELCOM assessments. The Meeting emphasized that access to available data is crucial for the project to achieve the planned results and urged all data producers in the project to make all data available within their mandate.

3.68 (LD 79) The Meeting also welcomed the information on the signing of the contract between HELCOM and EU for the new BASE-project which builds on BALTHAZAR, acknowledging the good opportunity to further harmonise methods for assessments throughout the Baltic Sea region and implementation of pilot activities in Russia taking into account both Russian and EU best practices and requirements.

3.69 (LD 80) The Meeting emphasized the need to ensure the involvement of both EU and Russian expertise in the different tasks and acknowledged the role of HOD and HELCOM Working Groups in ensuring the relevance of the planned project activities to other related HELCOM activities. The Meeting emphasized the need to continue with two co-chairs in the Project Steering Group, one coming from the beneficiary country Russia and the other from another HELCOM country with connection to other related activities and programmes such as NDEP, IFI and bilateral initiatives.

3.70 (LD 81) The Meeting took note of the progress of the Project on Urban Reduction of Eutrophication (PURE) (document 3/17), encouraged participation of the Contracting Parties in the project activities contributing to the implementation of the Eutrophication Segment of the HELCOM BSAP, and invited the Contracting Parties to utilise information obtained from the PURE partner water utilities for possible nominations to the HELCOM Green Baltic Spots List. The Meeting appreciated the work of the PURE project facilitating implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan at the local level and also contributing to the Clean Waste Water flagship project under the of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.

3.71 (LD 82) The Meeting noted additional information by the Secretariat about the start-up of the PRESTO Project addressing prevention of pollution in Belarus through priority investments, as well as capacity building and training of the staff in several municipal waste water utilities.

3.72 (LD 83) The Meeting welcomed the information by the Polish EU Presidency on the expected changes to the Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 limiting phosphorus content in laundry detergent by 30 June 2013 and in dishwasher detergents by 1 January 2017.

3.73 (LD 84) The Meeting welcomed the information on the progress of the Project “Control of Hazardous Substances in the Baltic Sea region” (COHIBA) (document 3/19), discussed integration of the project outcomes into the process of implementation of the Hazardous Substances Segment of the HELCOM BSAP, including the list of deliverables (cf. Annex 1 of document 3/19), and invited the COHIBA Project to inform about the final outcomes of the Project as well as possibilities for HELCOM’s support for continuation of the project at HELCOM 33/2012.


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3.74 (LD 85) The Meeting noted the comments by Sweden on the importance of the outcomes of the COHIBA Project for implementation of the Hazardous substances segment of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and as well as for other frameworks, e.g. the Priority Area 3 of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, and specifically the need to support the regional network of experts created by the COHIBA Project with wide and valuable competence in hazardous substances.

3.75 (LD 86) The Meeting also welcomed the kick-off in October 2011 of the network of Baltic experts on pharmaceuticals led by Swedish Medical Products Agency within Priority Area 3 of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and wished the success for this initiative, and encouraged participation of all the Contracting Parties in this network, that includes not only environmental, but also industrial stakeholders and contributes to implementation of decisions contained in the HELCOM BSAP and the Declaration of the 2010 HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Meeting.

3.76 (LD 87) The Meeting took note of the progress report of the HELCOM Red List project (document 3/26) and welcomed the progress made especially in creating checklists of Baltic Sea macro-species (document 3/22) and the provisional red list of Baltic breeding birds (document 3/23).

3.77 (LD 88) The Meeting agreed that the Contracting States will need to ensure a sufficient level of participation and data resources for the project to ensure the delivery of the threat assessment products by the time of the 2013 Ministerial meeting.

3.78 (LD 89) The Meeting welcomed the information that funding has been secured from Sweden (500,000 SEK) and the Nordic Council of Ministers (600,000 DKK) to support the work of the biotopes team of the HELCOM RED LIST project, including for travels of national experts to biotope team’s workshops.

3.79 (LD 90) The Meeting agreed on holding the meetings of the HELCOM Red list project expert teams:

- RED LIST BI (benthic invertebrates) 4/2012, on 14–15 of May 2012, possibly in Swinoujscie, Poland (to be confirmed by mid-January 2012),

- RED LIST BIOTOPES 5/2012, in Tallinn, Estonia on 8–10 February 2012,

- RED LIST MACROPHYTES 5/2012 on the 21–23 March 2012 on Askö, Sweden, and

- RED LIST Steering group (HELCOM RED LIST 4/2012) on the 9–10 October 2012 in Poland.

3.80 (LD 91) The Meeting took note that the Comprehensive Checklist of Baltic Sea macro-species (document 3/22) will be the founding document providing the necessary background and methodology and a separate digital checklist will be kept up to date by a regular review to be set up by HELCOM HABITAT and approved the publishing of the Comprehensive Checklist of Baltic Sea macro-species in the HELCOM Baltic Sea Environment Proceedings on the HELCOM web page after a scientific stakeholder review, taking note of the study reservation by Germany. The Meeting invited Germany to clarify its study reservation by 23 December 2011.

3.81 (LD 92) The Meeting considered the final draft of the provisional Red List of Baltic Breeding Birds (document 3/23), and agreed on publishing it on the HELCOM web page with the understanding that it will be complemented by other parts of the Red List and produced into one overarching Red List of Baltic Sea macro-species aimed to be published in the BSEP series by the early 2013, taking note of the study reservation by Germany. The Meeting invited Germany to clarify its study reservation by 23 December 2011.

3.82 (LD 93) The Meeting considered HELCOM Green Baltic Spots in the municipal wastewater sector (document 3/10), welcomed in general the way forward and invited the Secretariat to make minor updates to the Criteria for Green Baltic Spots regarding the number of potential nominations and the applicability of unanimity rule for deciding on nominations.


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3.83 (LD 94) The Meeting invited the Contracting Parties to re-/nominate candidates for the Green Baltic Spots Award (wastewater treatment) and submit these preferably by 15 December 2011 and no later than by 31 December 2011 to the HELCOM Secretariat ([email protected]). The Meeting noted the re-nomination of Vodokanal of St. Petersburg to the HELCOM Green Baltic Spots List as contained in document 3/30.

3.84 (LD 95) The Meeting noted the comment by Finland on the re-nomination of St.Petersburg and the need to take into account that there are still ongoing environmental improvements in the city and the clarification by Russia that the re-nomination concerns only the Vodokanal and not the whole city of St. Petersburg as was the case in the June 2011 nomination.

3.85 (LD 96) The Meeting asked HELCOM LAND, via e-mail procedure, to go through the nominated candidates, with the aim to propose to HELCOM HODs at the latest on 15 February 2012 three to five (or more, if applicable) candidates to be recommended for final approval by HELCOM 33/2012 on the unanimity basis, including the possible removal of these candidates from the list of HELCOM Hot Spots.

3.86 (LD 97) The Meeting discussed elaboration of draft Criteria for the HELCOM Green Baltic Spots Award in other sectors, and agreed to wait with considering development of the criteria for other sectors until the Award in municipal waste water sector has been launched, taking into account already ongoing activities e.g. Baltic Farmer Award established by the WWF.

3.87 (LD 98) The Meeting took note of the Outcome of the Third Meeting of the Joint HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group, 28-29 September 2011, Helsinki, Finland (document 3/2) and emphasized the good cooperation and importance of HELCOM and VASAB work on ecosystem based Maritime Spatial Planning, which was also recognized at the joint HELCOM/VASAB, OSPAR and ICES Workshop on Multi-Disciplinary Case Studies of MSP, 2–4 November 2011, Lisbon, Portugal.

3.88 (LD 99) The Meeting took note of the outcome of the 3rd Meeting of Priority Area 1 (Eutrophication) of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (document 3/29) on 27 October 2011 in Gdansk, Poland.

Agenda Item 4 HELCOM institutional and organisational matters

Documents: 4/1, 4/2, 4/3, 4/4, 4/5, 4/6

4.1 (LD 100) The Meeting took note of the report of the Auditors, the Statement of Accounts and the Balance Sheet of the Helsinki Commission for the financial period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 as well as of the explanatory memorandum (document 4/4) and advised the Executive Secretary to submit them to HELCOM 33/2012 in order to have the accountables officially discharged from responsibility.

4.2 (LD 101) The Meeting confirmed the mandate of the Executive Secretary to grant salary advances in accordance with Rules 2.9 and 2.10 of the P- and G-staff regulations, respectively.

4.3 (LD 102) The Meeting noted that granting salary advances had been the practice since the establishment of HELCOM and that, upon the recommendation of the Finnish State Auditor, this had been codified in the staff regulations in 2001, with the current wording.

4.4 (LD 103) The Meeting noted the internal procedure elaborated by the Executive Secretary to complement Rules 2.9 and 2.10 of the staff regulations.

4.5 (LD 104) The Meeting considered a draft budget for the financial period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 (document 4/1) and advised the Executive Secretary to submit the draft budget to HELCOM 33/2012 for official adoption.

4.6 (LD 105) The Meeting discussed the draft budget estimate for 2013–2014 and roadmap towards reaching equal shares (document 4/2).


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4.7 (LD 106) The Meeting took note of the reference by Latvia to the 2009 decision by the Cabinet of Ministers stating that due the economic situation in Latvia at that time it was not able to increase their financial contribution to the HELCOM budget until year 2013, however Latvia is flexible to gradually meet the requirements of Article 22 Part 3 of the Helsinki Convention when considering the budget for the financial year 2013–2014.

4.8 (LD 107) The Meeting decided to submit the draft budget estimate to HELCOM 33/2012, taking into account the comment by Latvia on a preliminary nature of the indicated budget contribution by Latvia to the budget year 2013–2014.

4.9 (LD 108) The Meeting stressed the need to elaborate a five-year budget frame to ensure longer perspective for HELCOM finances and planning of HELCOM work beyond a single budget year.

4.10 (LD 109) The Meeting took note of the outcome of the selection procedure of the new Executive Secretary and congratulated Ms. Monika Stankiewicz on her appointment to start as Executive Secretary on 1 February 2012. The Meeting decided to submit this outcome to HELCOM 33/2012 for information.

4.11 (LD 110) The Meeting discussed general issues related to the future selection procedures of Professional Staff Members, including Executive Secretaries, and asked the Secretariat to review the recruitment procedures used in other international organizations, e.g. UN, EU and Regional Commissions, with a view to reconsider the present HELCOM recruitment procedure.

4.12 (LD 111) The Meeting considered the recruitment of Professional Secretary for the HELCOM RESPONSE and MARITIME Groups (document 4/3) and approved the slightly revised vacancy announcement and post description, especially agreeing to make an exception to item number 3 in the “Procedure to recruit P-staff members to the HELCOM Secretariat”.

4.13 (LD 112) The Meeting agreed on the timetable as well as requested the Executive Secretary to proceed according to the recruitment procedure.

4.14 (LD 113) The Meeting nominated Russia, Denmark and the European Union to participate in the Recruitment Panel in addition to the ex officio members, i.e., the Chair and the Executive Secretary of the Commission, to conduct the selection procedure.

4.15 (LD 114) The Meeting considered document 4/5 containing HELCOM Observer Review and agreed that the list should be further updated and discussed by HELCOM 33/2012 taking into account the Guidelines for granting observer status.

4.16 (LD 115) The Meeting considered Finland's proposal to solve the pension issue (document 4/6) and that in the future all staff members shall be entitled only to a private pension. The Meeting asked Finland to consider the issue of long-term staff members who have chosen the governmental pensions scheme and how this would affect them. The Meeting decided to come back to this issue at HELCOM 33/2012. The Meeting thanked Finland and especially Ms. Eeva-Liisa Poutanen for her dedicated efforts to find a solution to the issue of pensionable remuneration.

Agenda Item 5 Information and communication strategy

Documents: 5/1

5.1 (LD 116) The Meeting welcomed Ms. Johanna Laurila, HELCOM Information Secretary, as a new member of the Secretariat staff.

5.2 LD 117) The Meeting considered and approved the progress report on the implementation of the annual HELCOM Plan of Information and Communication activities for 2011 as well as plans for future communication and information activities of HELCOM (document 5/1) taking into account the comments by the Contracting Parties.


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Agenda Item 6 Any other business

Documents: 6/1, 6/2, 6/3, 6/4, 6/5, 6/6

6.1 (LD 118) The Meeting discussed the outcome of an EU Report “Compliance Assessment of the Helsinki Commission for the joint management with the European Commission” (document 6/1) and the final report of the Compliance Assessment of HELCOM for the joint management with the European Commission - Follow-up measures by the Helsinki Commission (document 6/5).

6.2 (LD 119) Taking into account the late submission of document 6/5, the Meeting asked the Contracting Parties to provide their comments to the recommendations for proposed measures by 16 January 2012 to the Secretariat ([email protected]).

6.3 (LD 120) The Meeting took note of the comments by the Executive Secretary that in each case of receiving external funding the funding programme/source specific requirements are applied for financial control of budget expenditures through e.g. first level control and auditing.

6.4 (LD 121) The Meeting took note of the information by Denmark about the Fixed Link Accross the Fehmarnbelt project (document 6/2).

6.5 (LD 122) The Meeting took note of the information about ongoing and planned projects within HELCOM (document 6/3) and a suggestion to include figures on the budgets of externally financed projects.

6.6 (LD 123) The Meeting took note of the information on forthcoming meetings and exercises within HELCOM in 2012 (document 6/4) and invited the Secretariat to update the list of meetings with information provided by the Contracting Parties.

6.7 (LD 124) The Meeting took note of the announcement and the first draft programme of the XIII International Baltic Sea Day Environmental Forum, 21–23 March 2012 in St. Petersburg, Russia (document 6/6), to be organized in line with the agreement of HOD 17/2005 on the biannual basis for arranging the event at international level and with HELCOM support.

6.8 (LD 125) The Meeting encouraged participation of representatives of the Contracting Parties in the Forum.

6.9 LD 126) The Meeting invited Denmark to inform on their upcoming HELCOM Chairmanship during HELCOM 33/2012.

6.10 LD 127) The Meeting took note of the information by Poland on the upcoming meeting of the EU Marine and Water Directors on 7–9 December 2011 in Warsaw, Poland and the appointment of Mr. Marcin Korolec as the new Minister of Environment.

Agenda Item 7 Next meeting(s)

Documents: None

7.1 (LD 128) The Meeting decided that the next HELCOM HOD meeting (HELCOM HOD 37/2012) will be held on 14–15 June 2012. The Secretariat will inform about the venue of the Meeting in due time.

Agenda Item 8 Outcome of the Meeting

Documents: 8/1, 8/1/Rev. 1

8.1 LD 129) The Meeting adopted the draft List of Decisions as contained in document 8/1.


MINUTES OF HELCOM HOD 36/2011 ANNEX 1

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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

CHAIR Ms. Gabriella Lindholm

Chair of HELCOM

Ministry of Environment

SE-103 33 Stockholm

Dir.Phone: +46 84051000

Fax:

Email: [email protected]

DENMARK Mr. Tonny Niilonen *)

Ministry of the Environment

Danish Nature Agency

Water Resources Planning and Marine Environment

Haraldsgade 53

DK-2100 Copenhagen Ö

Dir.Phone: +45 72544866

Fax: +45 39279899


Ms. Lisbet Oelgaard

Ministry of Environment

Danish Nature Agency

Water Resources Planning and Marine Environment

Haraldsgade 53

DK-2100 Copenhagen Ö

Dir.Phone:

Fax:


ESTONIA Mr. Harry Liiv *)

Ministry of the Environment of Estonia

Narva mnt 7a

EE-15172 Tallinn

Dir.Phone: +372 6262850

Fax: +372 6262801


EUROPEAN UNION Mr. Claude Rouam *)

European Commission

DG Environment

BU-9

B-1049 Brussels

Dir.Phone: +32 22957994

Fax: +32 22979697


FINLAND Ms. Eeva-Liisa Poutanen *)

Ministry of the Environment of Finland

Kasarmikatu 25

P.O. Box 35

FI-00023 Government

Dir.Phone: +358 505719333

Fax: +358 916039395


Ms. Lolan Margaretha Eriksson

Chair of HELCOM MARITIME

Ministry of Transport and Communications

Transport Policy Department

P.O. 31

FI-00023 Government

Dir.Phone: +358 407448118

Fax: +358 916028592


Ms. Anna-Stiina Heiskanen

Chair of HELCOM MONAS

Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)

P.O. Box 140

FI-00251 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 408258188

Fax: +358 204902291


GERMANY Ms. Romy Schroeder *)

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety

P.O. Box 120629

D-53048 Bonn

Dir.Phone: +49 228 99305 2525

Fax: +49 228 993052396


LATVIA Ms. Baiba Zasa *)

Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development

Department of Environmental Protection

Peldu Str. 25

LV-1494 Riga

Dir.Phone: +371 67026910

Fax: +371 67820442



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LITHUANIA Mr. Dalius Krinickas *)

Ministry of the Environment of Lithuania

A. Jaksto str. 4/9

LT-01105 Vilnius

Dir.Phone: +370 52663521

Fax: +370 52663663


POLAND Mr. Andrzej Jagusiewicz *)


Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection

Wawelska Str. 52/54

PL-00 922 Warsaw

Dir.Phone: +48 228253325

Fax: +48 228250465


Ms. Malgorzata Ochorok Jedynak


Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection

Wawelska Str. 52/54

PL-00 922 Warsaw

Dir.Phone: +48 225792824

Fax: +48 228250022


RUSSIA Ms. Natalia Tretiakova *)

Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Russian Federation

4/6, Bol. Gruzinskaya Str.

RU-123995 Moscow, D-242, GSP-5

Dir.Phone: +7 4952547947

Fax: +7 4952548283


Ms. Natalia Kutaeva

State Marine Pollution Control, Salvage and Rescue Administration of the Russian Federation (SMPCSA)

Marine Environment Protection Division

Ul. Petrovka 3/6

RU-125993 Moscow

Dir.Phone: +7 4956261806

Fax: +7 4956261809


Mr. Leonid Korovin

Chair of HELCOM LAND

Saint-Petersburg Public Organization "Ecology and Business"

P.O. Box 66

(Sabirovskaya str. 37-304)

RU-197342 St. Petersburg

Dir.Phone: +7 8124306860

Fax: +7 8124309305


Mr. Denis Oksenenko

Embassy of the Russian Federation

Tehtaankatu 1 B

FI-00140 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 9607050

Fax: +358 9661006


SWEDEN Ms. Ida Reuterswärd *)


Division for International Affairs

Tegelbacken 2

SE-103 33 Stockholm

Dir.Phone: +46 464052775

Fax:


Ms. Ylva Engwall

Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management

Box 11 930

SE-404 39 Gothenburg

Dir.Phone: +46 106986291

Fax:


Mr. Bernt Stedt

Chair of HELCOM RESPONSE

Swedish Coast Guard HQ

Response and Law Enforcement Department

Stumholmen

P.O. Box 536

SE-371 23 Karlskrona

Dir.Phone: +46 455353453

Fax: +46 45510521



Page 18 of 37

OBSERVERS BSPC

Mr. Steffen Davids Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)

c/o Landtag Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Secretariat of the Committee on European and Legal Affairs

Lennestrasse 1

D-19053 Schwerin

Dir.Phone: + 49 3855251533

Fax: + 49 3855251535


Ms. Christina Gestrin

Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)

Parliament of Finland

FI-00102 Government

Dir.Phone: +358 94323121

Fax: +358 94323259


Ms. Mari Hokkanen

Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)

Parliament of Finland

FI-00102 Government

Dir.Phone: +358 5741559

Fax:


CPMR

Mr. Janne Tamminen

Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) - Baltic Sea Commission

c/o Uudenmaan liitto

Esterinportti 2 B

FI-00240 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 50 5586303

Fax: +358 947674300


WWF

Ms. Pauli Merriman

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme

Ulriksdals Slott

S-170 81 Solna

Dir.Phone: 46 767886185

Fax: +46 8851329


HELCOM SECRETARIAT Ms. Anne Christine Brusendorff

Executive Secretary

Helsinki Commission

Katajanokanlaituri 6 B

FI-00160 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 468509194

Fax: +358 207412645


Mr. Mikhail Durkin

Professional Secretary

Helsinki Commission


FI-00160 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 468509195

Fax: +358 207412645


Ms. Maria Laamanen


Helsinki Commission


FI-00160 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 468509198

Fax: +358 207412645


Ms. Monika Stankiewicz


Helsinki Commission


FI-00160 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 408402471

Fax: +358 207412645


Ms. Johanna Laurila

Information Secretary

Helsinki Commission


FI-00160 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 405238988

Fax: +358 207412645


Ms. Satu Raisamo

Administrative Officer

Helsinki Commission


FI-00160 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 46 850 9201

Fax: +358 207412645


Ms. Laura Meski

Assisting Professional Secretary

Helsinki Commission


FI-00160 Helsinki

Dir.Phone: +358 401622053

Fax: +358 207412645



Page 19 of 37

PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR HELCOM 33/2012 (6–7 MARCH 2012)

1 Adoption of the Agenda

2 Implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and its re-enforcement through other processes

3 Preparations for the HELCOM 2013 Ministerial meeting

4 Matters arising from the subsidiary bodies

5 Activities of the Commission during 2011 and contributions to the work of the Helsinki Commission

6 Accounts 2010 – 2011, budget 2012 - 2013 and other institutional and organisational matters of the Commission

7 Any other business

8 Next meeting(s) of the Commission

9 Outcome of the Meeting


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PROJECT “REVISION OF THE HELCOM MONITORING PROGRAMMES (HELCOM MORE)”

(HELCOM Project No. 11.40, approved by HELCOM HOD 36/2011, cf. LD 17)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION OF “HELCOM MORE”

1. Title of Project

Revision of the HELCOM monitoring programmes (HELCOM MORE)

2. Project Manager

[Mr. Philip Axe, Sweden]

In addition, a Project Researcher will be hired.

3. Proposing Party

Contracting Party _____

Commission _____

Subsidiary body: HELCOM MONAS

Heads of Delegation _____

Executive Secretary _____

4. The body supervising the Project

As the subsidiary body responsible for monitoring and assessment work, HELCOM MONAS will supervise the project but the project will be carried out in good cooperation and coordination with other HELCOM Working Groups, especially HELCOM HABITAT.

5. Background, target and activities

5.1. Background

In the 2010 HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Declaration, the Ministers of the Environment of the HELCOM Contracting Parties “decided to establish, for those HELCOM Contracting States being also EU-Member States, the role of HELCOM as the coordinating platform for the regional implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EU MSFD) in the Baltic Sea...”.

In order to achieve this objective, the Ministers agreed that this work should be based on common principles, inter alia “joint coordinated monitoring providing the necessary data for regular assessment of the status of the Baltic Sea and of pressures and impacts affecting the status". It was also agreed that HELCOM Monitoring programmes should be "adapted to support the assessing of progress towards the achievement of the environmental objectives and targets" (i.e. GES). It was also agreed that the revised monitoring should provide data for the indicators, which are being developed under the Baltic Sea Action Plan, "enabling the assessment and evaluation of the implementation of the jointly agreed measures”.

To implement the agreed principles, the Ministers decided “that the already initiated revision of the HELCOM monitoring programmes be finalized by 2013 and that it … [should result] in cost-effective joint monitoring, which fully supports the indicator-based assessment approach and monitoring of the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, and is in line with other international monitoring and reporting requirements”.

The development of a Core Set of Indicators (CSI), which was initiated already in 2008, can be seen as the first step of the revision of the HELCOM monitoring programme. A demonstration set of CSI for eutrophication was presented during the 2010 Moscow Ministerial Meeting and can be viewed on the HELCOM website (http://www.helcom.fi/BSAP_assessment/en_GB/main/). HELCOM MONAS and the HELCOM TARGREV project are working to further improve the core set of eutrophication


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indicators and the HELCOM CORESET project is working on the development of the Core Set Indicators for biodiversity and hazardous substances. Currently, there is not any specific HELCOM monitoring programme targeted at biodiversity although certain components of biodiversity are being monitored e.g. within the HELCOM COMBINE programme, HELCOM FISH project and under the HELCOM ad hoc SEAL expert group.

ICES is currently working to develop indicators and targets for commercial pelagic fish stocks and, consequently, might also propose changes to the respective monitoring.

In compiling a preliminary set of Core Set indicators, the HELCOM CORESET project is expected to identify parameters that need to be monitored operationally in order to fulfil the requirements of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan as well as the EU MSFD.

The work on developing Core Set Indicators also supports and facilitates the work of those HELCOM Contracting Parties which are also EU member states in implementing the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The targets of the HELCOM Core Set Indicators are therefore being developed to be in line with Good Environmental Status (GES) as defined in the Directive, and the ensuing guidelines or criteria. Furthermore, the HELCOM CORESET will also be responsible for developing core set pressure indicators that represent the intensity of anthropogenic activities. Development of pressure indicators will require close cooperation with HELCOM LAND, HELCOM MARITIME and HELCOM RESPONSE.

5.2. Targets and objectives

The main objective of the project is to develop a guidelines for a scientifically sound, well-coordinated, optimised and cost-effective joint HELCOM monitoring programme which provides the necessary data for HELCOM‟s Baltic-wide indicator-based assessment activities, focusing on the state of the marine environment but also on human-induced pressures impacting the status. The guidelines will be presented to HELCOM MONAS for endorsement and subsequently to HELCOM for adoption.

The main objectives of the HELCOM MORE project are to:

Summarize and list the required parameters, processes and products, including those identified by TARGREV and CORESET that must be monitored/produced to meet the requirements of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, HELCOM Ministerial declarations and for HELCOM States being also EU Members especially the EU Water Framework Directive and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Identify gaps in the current programmes based on the outcome of the aforementioned HELCOM projects and the requirements of the EU Directives

Define the parameters as well as their spatial and temporal observation needs, making use where possible of previous studies (e.g. PEX, HELCOM MON-PRO, the EU projects ODON and ECOOP);

Prepare revised guidelines for a joint programme fulfilling the requirements of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and Declaration of the Moscow Ministerial Meeting, as well as for the EU Member countries the needs of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the EU Water Framework Directive.

Revised HELCOM monitoring should result in cost-effective joint coordinated monitoring which supports the implementation of the ecosystem approach to the management of the marine environment in the Baltic Sea region. The revised guidelines for a joint monitoring programme will satisfy the criticism contained in the „Joint Final Report on the Audit of Environmental Monitoring and Fisheries Management and Control in the Baltic Sea, January 2009‟, which stated that the existing COMBINE measuring network is not based on scientific research.

5.3. Activities

The project work will consist of the following activities:


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1. The first task of the HELCOM MORE project will be to make an inventory of all existing regular marine monitoring in the HELCOM Convention area, including an overview of the data being regularly reported to common databases.

2. The second task is to use the outcomes of the HELCOM TARGREV and CORESET projects and compare them with the requirements of the EU WFD and MSFD and the HELCOM BSAP requirements as the basis for monitoring requirements. The national Initial Assessments, determinations of GES as well as targets and indicators made for the implementation of the EU WFD and MSFD will be used too as they become available.

3. In assessing the state of the art of current monitoring and comparing it with the monitoring needs identified e.g. by the HELCOM projects and the Initial Assessments, HELCOM MORE will identify where there are gaps in the HELCOM monitoring programmes.

4. The subsequent step is scientific analysis and review of monitoring programmes to provide the basis for optimising the observation network where possible. This analysis will include the use of various statistical methods. The details of the methodology will be agreed upon by the project group. The analysis that was carried out by SMHI during the HELCOM MON-PRO process should also be scrutinized as well as the results of EU projects such as ODON and ECOOP. The joint high-resolution Alg@line data and NPZD model results will be relevant and used in the work.

5. The current use, availability and usefulness of remote sensing and unattended in situ detection methods ("new platforms") will be analysed and assessed in relation to the commonly used monitoring methods. The use of mathematical models to support monitoring will be evaluated.

6. The project will analyze costs of monitoring and propose cost-effective new concepts by sharing both costs and work load.

Based on the outcomes of the inventory and assessments, and taking into account the experiences and conclusions from the HELCOM thematic assessment, the HELCOM MORE project will prepare guidelines on a revised HELCOM monitoring programme. These guidelines should take into account the potential of autonomous observation tools and remote sensing, such as instrumented buoys, gliders, drifters, ferry boxes, airborne surveillance and satellite sensors.

A Project Group consisting of experts of the Contracting Parties will be established. A Project Researcher will be hired to produce the background report, scientific analysis of monitoring and economic considerations. The Project Researcher will also help in organising the project workshops and in producing the necessary documentation for those meetings. Close cooperation with the regional component (BOOS) of the European Ocean Observing System (EuroGOOS) is expected.

An externally hired Project Manager will chair the meetings and supervise the supporting work of the Project Researcher in cooperation with the responsible Professional Secretary.

The HELCOM MORE project should fit in with the HELCOM and EU deadlines.


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6. Expected results

The main outcomes of the HELCOM MORE project will be:

1. Background report providing a detailed overview of all operational monitoring (activity, pressure, state and impact monitoring) in the HELCOM Convention area, including an overview of the data that is being regularly reported to the common databases

2. Scientific analysis of the monitoring programmes to provide further scientific basis for the optimization of the monitoring network for pressure and state variables.

3. Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of the HELCOM monitoring programmes, including an analysis of the benefits of joint coordinated monitoring including new concepts for sharing the costs and the work load.

4. Final report containing guidelines for the revised HELCOM monitoring programme.

7. Consistency with HELCOM priorities yes

8. Timetable

HELCOM MORE will be carried out starting as soon as possible (as of 6 December 2011) and ending 31 December 2013.

9. Budget (taking into account financial year from 1 July to 30 June)

9.1 Total Costs

€ 68,000

9.2 Allocation of costs

HELCOM HOD 36/2011 took note of the information by Sweden that they will need to re-confirm their offer of 20,000€ and a Project Manager for the project, and will inform the Secretariat accordingly as soon as possible. The Meeting invited also other Contracting Parties to consider their possibilities to part fund the project (LD 18). The Meeting agreed to fund the HELCOM MORE project from the HELCOM budget as far as the budget will not be covered by extra contributions by the Contracting Parties (LD 20).

10. Additional requests (manpower, equipment, facilities, etc.)

10.1 From the Contracting Parties

The Contracting Parties must nominate national experts with an understanding of national monitoring activities related to the marine environment for participation in the Project Group.

The Contracting Parties must provide information for the inventory of all adequate regular monitoring programmes (pressure, state, impact) in the HELCOM Convention area.

The Central Baltic INTERREG IV Project "Good environmental status through regional coordination and capacity building (GES-REG)", participated by Estonia, Finland and Latvia will support the project, especially contributing to the analysis of initial assessments and development of sound and cost effective joint monitoring and assessment scheme.

10.2 From the Secretariat

A Project Researcher will work in the Secretariat to implement the project. In addition an external Project Manager will be hired to supervise the work and if needed, also to Chair the workshops. The Professional Secretary for HELCOM MONAS and HELCOM HABITAT will participate and coordinate the work with other HELCOM bodies. The HELCOM Secretariat will provide general assistance to the project.

11. Procedure of nomination of the Project Group members

The Contracting Parties are requested to nominate monitoring experts for HELCOM MORE by informing the Secretariat ([email protected]) by 29 February 2012.


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12. Signature of the Project Manager

13. Opinion of the Chair of the relevant body

The Chairlady of HELCOM MONAS supports the establishment of the Project.

14. Opinion of the Executive Secretary

The Executive Secretary, Ms. Anne Christine Brusendorff, supports the Project.

15. Decision of the Heads of Delegation

__X__ to establish ____ not to establish


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PROJECT "STUDY ON BIOLOGICAL SURVEYS PROTOCOLS AND TARGET SPECIES SELECTION"

(HELCOM Project No. 11.41, approved by HELCOM HOD 36/2011, cf. LD 44)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. Title of Project Study on biological surveys protocols and target species selection

2. Project Manager (s) To be decided

3. Proposing Party HELCOM MARITIME

4. The body supervising the Project HELCOM MARITIME

5. Background, target and activities

Background In the Baltic Sea Action Plan the Contracting States have agreed to ratify the 2004 International Convention for Control and Management of Ship’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) as soon as possible, but in all cases not later than 2013. Once the BWM Convention enters into force, it will be instrumental in reducing the risk of transfer of alien species to the Baltic Sea. According to BWMC ships will be required to implement the ballast water management unless an exemption has been granted following a risk assessment to assess whether a ship is on a voyage posing a high or low risk of spreading alien species. Port States may undertake the risk assessment themselves in order to grant exemptions, or require the shipowner or operator to undertake the risk assessment. Where a Party to the BWM Convention has determined that the shipowner or operator should undertake the risk assessment, the Party should provide relevant information, including any application requirements, the risk assessment model to be used, any harmful species to be considered, data standards and any other required information. The Road map towards harmonized implementation and ratification of the BWMC Convention, adopted as part of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, requires arriving at a unified Baltic Sea exemption system according to regulation A-4 of the Annex to BWMC. The 2010 HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Meeting adopted the Guidance to distinguish between unacceptable high risk scenarios and acceptable low risk scenarios – a risk of spreading of alien species by ships on intra-Baltic voyages. The Guidance has been tested within the HELCOM project “Pilot risk assessments of alien species transfer on intra-Baltic ship voyages”.

Data availability and selection of alien species for the purpose of the risk assessments under the BWM Convention have been identified by HELCOM MARITIME as next most urgent topics to be dealt with on a regional basis. Availability of data on alien species and


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environmental conditions in ports are a pre-requisite for carrying out reliable risk assessments, as the basis for exemptions under regulation A-4 of the BWM Convention.

In order to create port profiles with biological data on alien species, it is essential that the same protocols with the same level of detail are followed within the surveys. Moreover, HELCOM MARITIME highlighted the need to cooperate with the North Sea countries to put in place a consistent exemption regime.

Target The aim of the project is to propose protocols on biological surveys in ports of the Baltic Sea to be commonly applied when surveying the ports for the purposes of gathering the information on alien species, taking into account the need for and benefits of having a consistent approach with the North Sea region. The project will also identify target species for the risk assessments relevant for intra-Baltic ship voyages. In addition, the project will propose how to structure the data collection to support the decision-making on exemptions (according to regulation A-4 of the BWMC) and sharing of information.

Activities The project will start with preparing the detailed project working plan and will consist of three work packages: WP 1: Identification of target species according to the IMO Guideline G7 on risk assessments, taking into account the results of the project “Pilot risk assessments of alien species transfer on intra-Baltic ship voyages” and based on the HELCOM list of alien species in the Baltic Sea and other relevant information. WP 2: Development of a proposal for protocols for biological surveys in ports, taking into account Globallast protocols, other protocols e.g. in Australia and USA, and data collection standards in HELCOM monitoring programmes and other relevant information, as well as taking into consideration the selected target species as well as the need to possibly address other alien species. A survey in a selected port(s) could be conducted to support development of protocols. WP 3: Development of a proposal for how to structure data collection to support the decision making on the exemptions from applying ballast water management and to facilitate the data sharing.

6. Expected results Unified implementation of the BWMC provisions in the Baltic Sea area, and regional protocols for biological surveys in ports with regard to alien species and a regional list of target species to be used in risk assessments of intra-Baltic ship voyages under BWMC.

7. Consistency with HELCOM priorities __X_ yes ____ no

The Project is in line with the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and the Road Map for harmonized implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention.

The project has a relevance to the work of HELCOM MONAS and HELCOM HABITAT.


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8. Timetable Starting: December 2011 Completion: report for MARITIME 11/2012

9. Budget

9.1 Total costs 80,000 EUR: - 30,000 EUR special contribution by Sweden - 20,000 EUR special contribution by Finland - [30,000 EUR special contribution by Germany] Financial year 2011-2012: [40,000 EUR] Financial year 2012-2013 [40,000 EUR]

10. Additional requests The Contracting Parties are requested to support the project through the Correspondence Group on implementation of the Ballast Water Road Map. HELCOM MONAS and HELCOM HABITAT will be involved in considering the project results.

11. Organization of Project/ Procedure of nomination of the Project team members The Correspondence Group on implementation of the Ballast Water Road Map, established under HELCOM MARITIME and led by Germany in cooperation with the Secretariat, will be involved in the project. The Contracting Parties should nominate their member(s) in the Correspondence Group if they have not done yet so. The Project will hold a kick-off meeting. In addition, a project meeting to consider intermediate results may be organized, if needed. 12. Signature of the Project Manager

13. Opinion of the Chair of the relevant body The Chair of HELCOM MARITIME supports the establishment of the project.

14. Opinion of the Executive Secretary The Executive Secretary supports the establishment of the project.

15. Decision of the Heads of Delegation __X__to establish ____not to establish


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PROJECT “REVIEW OF FIFTH BALTIC SEA POLLUTION LOAD COMPILATION FOR 2013 HELCOM

MINISTERIAL MEETING (HELCOM PLC-5.5)”

(HELCOM Project No. 11.42,

approved by HELCOM HOD 36/2011, cf. LD 73)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. Title of Project: Review of Fifth Baltic Sea Pollution Load Compilation for 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting (HELCOM PLC-5.5)

2. Project Manager: Mr. Lars Svendsen, Denmark Chair of HELCOM LOAD

3. Proposing Party:

Contracting Party:

Commission:

Subsidiary body: HELCOM MONAS

Heads of Delegation:

Executive Secretary:

4. The body supervising the project: HELCOM MONAS

5. Target and activities

The overall task of the Project is to update the Fifth Pollution Load Compilation with data on waterborne (and airborne) inputs to the Baltic Sea from 2009 (2010).

The project will be carried out in two consecutive stages:

1. Data collection, submission and compilation

2. Preparation of the report

This PLC-5.5 report shall:

- quantify and describe the waterborne discharges from point sources and losses from non-point pollution sources as well as the quantified natural background losses into inland surface waters (source oriented approach) within the catchment area of the Baltic Sea located within the borders of the Contracting Parties and request non Contracting Parties to submit information on sources based on PLC-5 data and possible updates by the Contracting Parties;

- quantify and describe the waterborne loads (from rivers, unmonitored and coastal areas as well as point sources) discharging directly to the Baltic Sea (load oriented approach);

- quantify and describe the airborne deposition of nutrients to the Baltic Sea and its sub-basins (total and from combustion, agriculture, road transport and shipping sectors of the Contracting Parties and sources outside the Baltic Sea Area);

- evaluate changes and trends in the pollution load since 1994;

- assess changes and trends in country- and sub-basin-wise nutrient loads in relation to maximum allowable inputs and nutrient reduction targets;


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- explain to which extent changes are caused by human activities or natural variations;

- overall evaluate the significance of main water protection measures applied in the Baltic Sea catchment area to reduce the pollution load from land-based sources.

- quantify air emissions relevant for the Baltic Sea divided per source and per country

- quantify and describe atmospheric deposition on Baltic Sea sub-basins

- include a blame matrix of deposition including transboundary deposition and deposition from ship emission

- evaluate trends in air deposition 1995-2009 (2010) and compared with reference period

- overall evaluate the significance of major measures to combat air emission applies within the Baltic Sea catchment areas and sources outside the catchment relevant for air deposition on the Baltic Sea

The PLC-5.5 report should be based on the data collected by the Contracting Parties for the annual indicator facts sheets on total waterborne loads and additional comprehensive data for the year 2009 (2010) and in accordance with the Waterborne Pollution Load Guidelines. Data on airborne emissions and deposition should be used on data reported by the Contracting Parties to EMEP.

The PLC-5.5, as the previous compilations, will be internationally recognised and referred to as a standard publication for a number of years. Therefore, the final PLC-5.5 project report should be published in a consistent and easily readable form which attracts scientists, administrators and the general public.

HELCOM LOAD will replace the role of PLC Group, therefore no separate workshops will be organised. HELCOM LOAD Core Group will replace the role of PLC Core Group to steer the implementation of the Project.

A detailed description of the preparation of updated Fifth Pollution Load Compilation is contained in Attachment.

6. Expected results

The objectives of periodic pollution load compilations (PLC-Water) regarding pollution of the Baltic Sea from land-based sources are:

1. to compile information on the water (and airborne) inputs of important pollutants entering the Baltic Sea and from different sources in the Baltic Sea catchment area on the basis of harmonised monitoring methods; data on sources besides direct point source load shall be based on PLC-5;

2. to follow up the long-term changes in the waterborne and airborne pollution load to the Baltic Sea;

3. to determine the priority order of different sources of pollutants for the pollution of the Baltic Sea (to be based on PLC-5);

4. to overall assess the effect of main measures taken to reduce the pollution load in the Baltic Sea catchment area; and

5. to provide information for assessment of long-term changes and the state of the marine environment in the open sea and the coastal zones.

A final report shall be presented to HELCOM 34/2013 (HELCOM HOD in December 2012) with a view to use it for the purposes of HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in 2013. A preliminary description of the content of the report is contained in Attachment.

7. Consistency with HELCOM priorities __X__ yes ____ no

The project is in accordance with the priority activities decided by HELCOM HOD 35/2011.


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8. Timetable

Starting: 2011 – Ending: 2013

2011 - Data compilation and reporting of 2009-data by Contracting Parties and updating of data base and checking 2009-data by the Data Consultant.

- Data compilation and reporting of 2010 data

- Agreement on table of content of PLC5.5 report

2012 - Updating and checking data by data consultant and follow up on missing data

- Data validation by PLC LOAD project

- Data assessment, trend analysis and preparation of the PLC-5.5 report

- Finalization of the PLC-5.5 report and approval by HELCOM HOD in December

2013 - Presentation of the report to HELCOM 34/2013 and HELCOM MINISTERIAL

9. Budget

9.1 Total Costs 60,000 EUR

(See Attachment for detailed project budget)

9.2 Costs divided per financial year

- 2011/2012 10,000 EUR

- 2012/2013 50,000 EUR

9.3 Sources of financing divided per financial year

- 2011/2012 HELCOM budget [+possible contribution from CPs]

- 2012/2013 HELCOM budget [+possible contribution from CPs]

10. Additional requests (manpower, equipment, facilities, etc.)

10.1 From the Contracting Parties The required data shall be monitored, collected and reported electronically, and corrected if needed, in accordance with the format prepared by the Data Consultant.

10.2 From the Secretariat The Project shall be supported by the Secretariat.

11. Organization of Project

The Project will be supervised and coordinated by the HELCOM LOAD Group. Relevant PLC experts from every Contracting Party shall participate in the work of HELCOM LOAD to ensure continuity of the work on load compilation. Data Consultant shall also participate in the work of HELCOM LOAD.

The Contracting Parties are responsible for collecting and reporting the data according to Waterborne Pollution Load Guidelines.

The LOAD Group is responsible for verifying national data and commenting on drafts of the PLC Report.


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The Project Manager (Chair of HELCOM LOAD) is responsible for the general coordination of the Project. In addition, the Project Manager, with assistance from the Group, is responsible for producing the draft report. The Data Consultant is responsible for necessary data handling, compilation of data and production of needed data products (tables and figures) according to a separate contract between HELCOM and the Data Consultant and as defined in Attachment 1.

The Project Manager will be Mr. Lars Svendsen, Denmark.

The Members of the Project Group are nominated HELCOM LOAD members: Ms. Tuija Ruoho-Airola, Mr. Seppo Knuuttila, Finland, Mr. Sergey Kondratyev, Russia, Mr. Lars Sonesten, Sweden, Ms. Anna Robak-Bakierowska, Poland, Ms. Antje Ullrich, Mr. Jakob Frommer, Ms. Wera Leujak, Germany, Mr. Svajunas Plunge, Lithuania, Mr. Jerzy Bartnicki, EMEP, Mr. Bo Gustafsson, BNI and in addition (Ms. Ulle Leisk, Estonia, Ms. Gaudenta Sakalauskiene, Lithuania, Mr. Waldemar Jarosinski, Poland, Ms. Catarina Johansson, Sweden, Ms. Larisa Makarova, Russia, [expert from Latvia to be nominated]).

The Members of the LOAD Core Group are: Mr. Lars Svendsen, Denmark, Mr. Seppo Knuuttila, Finland, Mr. Bo Gustafsson, BNI, Sweden, Mr. Mikhail Durkin, HELCOM.

Persons acting as quality assurance (QA) experts for PLC-5 from each country are expected to contribute to QA of PLC 5.5 data. Ms. Susanne Bouttrup, Denmark is suggested to coordinate QA issues and report to HELCOM LOAD.

The Project shall be supported by the Secretariat.

12. Signature of the Project Manager

Lars M. Svendsen

13. Opinion of the Chairperson of the relevant body

The Chairman of HELCOM MONAS supports the establishment of the Project.

14. Opinion of the Executive Secretary

The Executive Secretary supports the establishment of the Project.

15. Decision of the Heads of Delegation

__X__to establish ____not to establish


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Attachment 1

DESCRIPTION FOR PREPARATION OF THE REVIEW OF FIFTH BALTIC SEA POLLUTION LOAD

COMPILATION (PLC-5) FOR HELCOM MINISTERIAL MEETING 2013

In the following, the main steps of the process will be shortly explained:

The PLC-5.5 project will be carried out in three main stages:

1. Monitoring in 2009-2010

The monitoring activities in accordance with the PLC-5 Guidelines (cf. 2.) take place from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. Data from 2010 would be also preferable, but subject to availability in the Contracting Parties.

2. Data collection, submission and compilation on national level (2011-2012)

The first data compilation produced by the Data Consultant should be sent in January 2012 to all Contracting Parties for comments. Corrections and amendments should be sent to the Data Consultant by the end of February 2012 to enable it to be discussed at HELCOM LOAD 3/2012.

3. Assessment work to verify data and drafting of report (2012/2013).

During the first half of 2012 the Project Manager, with the assistance of the LOAD Group, should prepare the draft of the PLC-5.5 report. Comments to the draft report should be submitted before 1 August 2012.

The LOAD Group will consider the updated draft at a meeting in September 2012 in order to finalise the draft report for submission to the HELCOM MONAS Meeting in October 2012.

After MONAS final linguistic checking, the editing and lay-out will be carried out before submission for approval by HELCOM HOD in December 2012. The PLC-5.5 report should be ready for printing in January 2013.

Contents of the report should follow the outline for PLC-5.5 Report (see below)

Project Budget

2011/2012 2012/2013 Total (EUR)

Managing the project

salaries (Project Manager), 3 man-month

5000

45000

50000

Meeting support 2000 2000 4000

Data handling costs

waterborne loads, 2009 (2010) data

blame matrixes of airborne deposition

PLC-annual 3000

PLC-annual 3000

PLC-annual 6000

Total (EUR) 10000 50000 60000


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Attachment 2

Draft outline of the PLC-5.5 report

Preface

Summary

1. Introduction

1.1 Pollution of the Baltic Sea

1.2 Objectives of the PLC

1.3 Main focus of the report

1.4 Classification of inputs

1.5 History of the PLC

2. Description of the Baltic Sea catchment area

2.1 Division of the Baltic Sea catchment area

2.2 Land use in the Baltic Sea catchment area

2.3 The effects of hydrological conditions on nutrient loads

2.4 Possible effects of climate change

3. Methodology and quality assurance

3.1 Methodology used for assessing point sources, diffuse sources, natural background losses, riverine inputs, retention and source apportionment and for compiling air emissions, model air deposition, elaborated “blame matrix” for air deposition

3.2 Reporting of data

3.3 Analytical methods

3.4 Recommendations

4. Results

4.1 Total nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea

4.1.1 Total input to the Baltic Sea (water+air)

4.1.2 Total air deposition

4.1.3 Total waterborne load to the Baltic Sea

4.1.4 Riverine and direct loads to the Baltic Sea

4.1.5 Direct discharges of nitrogen and phosphorus into the Baltic Sea

4.2 Sources for airborne deposition (emissions) to the Baltic

4.2.1 Emissions by Contracting parties, transboundary and shipping

4.2.2 Emission by sectors and by sources/sectors

4.3 Sources of riverine N and P loads to the Baltic Sea

4.3.1 Introduction

4.3.2 Results

4.3.3 Retention in surface waters

4.3.4 Area-specific load

4.3 Air deposition by CP and by sector – blame matrix

4.4 Discharges and losses into inland surface waters within the catchment area

4.5 Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals on the Baltic Sea

4.6 Discharges and losses of heavy metals into the Baltic Sea

5. Development in water and airborne nitrogen and waterborne phosphorus inputs to the Baltic Sea from 1994 to 2009 (2010)

5.1 Total input to the Baltic Sea 1995-2009 (2010)


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5.1.1 Total input to the Baltic Sea 1995-2009 (2010)

5.1.2 Air deposition to the Baltic Sea from 1995-2009 (2010)

Waterborne nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea from 1994 to 2009 (2010)

5.2 Normalization of input data

5.2.1 Normalizing air deposition data

5.2.2 Normalizing load data

5.3 Trend analysis of input data

5.3.1 Trend analysis of nitrogen air deposition

5.3.2 Trend analysis of waterborne nitrogen and phosphorus loads

5.4.3 Trend analysis of total nitrogen inputs to the Baltic Sea

5.4 Development of waterborne loads and total nitrogen inputs compared with BSAP targets

6. Discussion, conclusions and future prospects

6.1 Shortcomings in PLC 5 and air deposition concerning data, analysis and applied methodologies

6.1.1 Emission assessments

6.1.2 Deposition modelling

6.1.3 Blame matrix

6.1.4 Riverine load apportionment

6.1.5 Riverine flow

6.1.6 Analytical methods and the limits of quantification

6.1.7 Riverine loads (and coastal areas)

6.1.8 Point-source loads

6.1.9 Diffuse losses

6.2 Changes in nutrient loading and inputs over a longer period of time

6.2.1 Overall results

6.2.2 Changes in the marine environment

6.2.3 Changes in emissions for different sectors

6.2.4 Point source discharges

6.2.5 Losses from agriculture

6.2.6 Losses from forestry, scattered dwellings and storm water

6.2.7 Losses from natural background sources

6.3. An approach to estimate the reduction potential in different sectors

6.3.1 Municipal wastewater treatment plants

6.3.2 Scattered settlements

6.3.3 Agriculture

6.3.4 Concluding remarks

6.4 Lessons learned and future prospects

6.4.1 What data should be compiled in the future?

6.4.2 How to improve the completeness and reliability of data?

6.4.3 How to improve emission assessments and modelling deposition

6.4.4 Water monitoring

6.4.5 Improvement in assessing individual sources

7 List of References


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LIST OF DOCUMENTS

HELCOM HOD 36/2011

Date dd.mm.yy

Title Submitted by

1/1 21.10.11 Provisional Agenda Executive Secretary

1/1/Rev. 1 11.11.11 Provisional Agenda Executive Secretary

1/2 21.10.11 Annotations to the Provisional Agenda Executive Secretary

1/2/Rev. 1 11.11.11 Annotations to the Provisional Agenda Executive Secretary

2/1 11.11.11 Provisional agenda for HELCOM 33/2012

Chairlady and Executive Secretary

2/1/Rev. 1 06.12.11 Provisional agenda for HELCOM 33/2012

Chairlady and Executive Secretary

2/2 11.11.11 Outline for the 2013 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting

Executive Secretary

2/3 30.11.11 Draft outline for a HELCOM statement/contribution in the context of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil in June 2012

Executive Secretary

3/1 21.10.11 Outcome of the 14th Meeting of the HELCOM RESPONSE Group, 13-15 September 2011, Helsinki, Finland

Executive Secretary

3/1/Add.1 22.11.11 Revised HELCOM Recommendation 19/18 on Reporting on incidents involving harmful substances and emergency dumping

Executive Secretary

3/2 21.10.11 Outcome of the Third Meeting of the Joint HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spacial Planning Working Group 28-29 September 2011, Helsinki, Finland

Executive Secretary

3/3 21.10.11 Outcome of the 15th Meeting of the Monitoring and Assessment Group (HELCOM MONAS 15/2011), held in Vilnius, Lithuania 4–7 October 2011

Executive Secretary

3/4 21.10.11 Outcome of the Fifth Meeting of the ad hoc HELCOM SEAL Expert Group (HELCOM SEAL 5/2011) 20–21 September, Tallinn, Estonia

Executive Secretary

3/5 21.10.11 Information on the EU project "Environmental monitoring of the Black Sea with focus on nutrient pollution" (2011-2013)

Executive Secretary

3/6 11.11.11 PLC 5.5 Project proposal Executive Secretary

3/7 11.11.11 Proposal for continuation of the HELCOM SALAR Project (SALAR II)

Executive Secretary

3/8 11.11.11 Update on the proposal for HELCOM MORE project

Executive Secretary

3/9 11.11.11 Progress of the EU-funded BALTHAZAR project and status of preparation of the new joint cooperation project for implementation of the BSAP in Russia (BASE-Project)

Executive Secretary


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3/10 22.11.11 HELCOM Green Baltic Spots – in the municipal wastewater sector

Executive Secretary

3/11 22.11.11 Indicator-based assessment of coastal fish community status in the Baltic Sea, 2005-2009

HELCOM FISH-PRO Project Manager

3/12 22.11.11 Outcomes of the Fourth and Fifth Meetings of HELCOM Joint Advisory Board of the HELCOM CORESET and TARGREV projects

Executive Secretary

3/13 22.11.11 Draft HELCOM Recommendation on co-operation in response to spillages of oil and other harmful substances on the shore

Executive Secretary

3/14 22.11.11 Outcome of the HELCOM Project “Pilot risk assessments of alien species transfer on intra-Baltic ship voyages”

Executive Secretary

3/15 22.11.11 Outcome of the Tenth Meeting of the HELCOM Maritime Group

Executive Secretary

3/16 22.11.11 Progress of the Plan Bothnia Project Project Manager

3/17 22.11.11 Progress of the Project on Urban Reduction of Eutrophication (PURE)

Executive Secretary

3/18 28.11.11 HELCOM TARGREV project and the review process within HELCOM

Executive Secretary

3/19 28.11.11 Information on the progress of the Project “Control of Hazardous Substances in the Baltic Sea region” (COHIBA)

Project Manager

3/20 28.11.11 Outcome of the third meeting of the HELCOM ad hoc Expert Group to update and review the existing information on dumped chemical munitions in the Baltic Sea (HELCOM MUNI 3/2011)

Executive Secretary

3/21 28.11.11 Development of a set of core indicators: Interim report of the HELCOM CORESET project

Executive Secretary

3/22 28.11.11 Comprehensive Checklist of Baltic Sea Macro-Species

Executive Secretary

3/23 28.11.11 Provisional Red List of Baltic Sea Breeding Birds

Executive Secretary

3/24 28.11.11 Draft HELCOM Recommendation on unified interpretation in relation to access to and use of HELCOM AIS

Chair of HELCOM AIS EWG and the Secretariat

3/25 28.11.11 Baltic Sea Action Plan Index of Actions - follow-up of implementation

Executive Secretary

3/26 28.11.11 Progress report of the HELCOM Red List project

Executive Secretary

3/27 30.11.11 Progress within the BRISK and BRISK-RU projects

Project Manager


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3/28 30.11.11 Project proposal for "Study on Biological Surveys Protocols and Target Species Selection"

Executive Secretary

3/29 05.12.11 Brief outcome of the 3rd meeting of Priority Area 1 (Eutrophication) of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

Poland

3/30 05.12.11 Re-nomination of the Vodokanal of St. Petersburg to the HELCOM Green Baltic Spots List

Russian Federation

4/1 11.11.11 Draft budget for the financial period 2012-2013

Executive Secretary

4/2 11.11.11 Budget estimate for 2013-2014 and roadmap towards reaching equal shares

Executive Secretary

4/3 22.11.11 Recruitment of Professional Secretary Executive Secretary

4/4 28.11.11 Explanatory Memorandum on the Accounts of the Commission for the Financial Period 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2011

Executive Secretary

4/5 28.11.11 HELCOM Observer Review Executive Secretary

4/6 30.11.11 Finland's proposal to solve the pension issue

Finland

5/1 30.11.11 Progress report on the annual HELCOM Plan of Information and Communication activities (2011)

Executive Secretary

6/1 21.10.11 Outcome of an EU Report “Compliance Assessment of the Helsinki Commission for the joint management with the European Commission”

Executive Secretary

6/2 11.11.11 Information about the Fixed Link Accross the Fehmarnbelt project

Denmark

6/3 11.11.11 Ongoing HELCOM projects Executive Secretary

6/4 22.11.11 Meetings and exercises within HELCOM in 2012

Executive Secretary

6/5 28.11.11 Final report of the Compliance Assessment of HELCOM for the joint management with the European Commission - Follow-up measures by the Helsinki Commission

Executive Secretary

6/6 05.12.11 Announcement and first draft programme of the XIII International Baltic Sea Day Environmental Forum

Russian Federation

8/1 06.12.11 Draft List of Decisions Executive Secretary

8/1/Rev. 1 06.12.11 List of Decisions Executive Secretary