Introduction 5 Chapter 1: a description of the organisational structure set up for the implementation of the Strategy 6

Danish Maritime Authority

Clea Henrichsen(cge@dma.dk)

Helle Knudsen (hkn@dma.dk )

and

Finland leading the work of the Correspondence Group - Jorma Kämäräinen, Finnish Transport Safety Agency

Based on the Maritime Activities segment in the HELCOM BSAP

- IMO/MARPOL (Annex VI) introduces even stricter conditions for SOx in the Baltic Sea

- IMO/MARPOL (Annex IV) provides for establishing marine areas as a NOx emission control areas

- possibility to establish the Baltic Sea as a NOx Emission Control Area (NECA)

- EU to assess, whether action is required at EU level or specifically within the Baltic Sea Region

Work is well under way.

All Baltic Sea countries agreed that the Baltic Sea should be designated as a NECA. Joint submission by the HELCOM countries to IMO on the Baltic Sea NECA is being finalized, e.g. based on a HELCOM study on the Baltic NECA economic impact for presentation of a progress report in June 2011, further concluding on the submission in November (HELCOM MARITIME 10/2011) and a decision in December 2011.

- enhanced application of HELCOM’s ‘no special-fee’ system for port reception facilities especially for oily wastes from machinery spaces, sewage and garbage)

- availability of port reception facilities in the Baltic Sea Ports to be further enhanced covering the delivery of all wastes, especially waste waters, taking into account the proposal by the HELCOM Member States to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), asking for a prohibition of the discharge of sewage from ships, especially from passenger ships and ferries

(FAST TRACK)

Policy framework is in place.

HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Meeting adopted Roadmap for upgrading port reception facilities for sewage in passenger ports in the Baltic Sea Area. Road map is to be implemented by 2015 at the latest (the condition for the Baltic Sea Special Area under Annex IV of MARPOL to take effect).

Finnish Transport Safety Agency

Jorma Kämäräinen
(jorma.kamarainen@trafi.fi)

Sweden

Swedish Maritime Administration

Reidar Grundström (Reidar.Grundstrom@Sjofartsverket.se)

- for shore side electricity facilities or for emission treatment in all major ports around the Baltic Sea

- promoted through taxation or tariff measures in order to come to a level playing field

(FAST TRACK)

The HELCOM-supported flagship InnoShip Project is to give advice to decision-makers on cost-efficient policy options to further reduce ship emissions, especially in the light of designation of the Baltic Sea as a NECA (which will concern only new ships) and the need to create a level playing field for existing ships.

The flagship Clean Ship project is also active in this area.

Need for actions on national and port level to implement HELCOM Recommendation 28E/13 on introducing economic incentives as a complement to existing regulations to reduce emissions from ships.

(Swedish Maritime Administration Reidar Grundström Reidar.Grundstrom@Sjofartsverket.se )

(Government of Åland

Mikael Wennström, mikael.wennstrom@regeringen.ax)

- to set incentives for ships producing low emissions, managing waste water and ballast water in a sustainable way, using environmentally friendly technologies

Need to raise the interest of ports regarding implementation of Ballast Water Management Convention

(Finnish Transport Safety Agency Jorma Kämäräinen (jorma.kamarainen@trafi.fi))

Jorma Kämäräinen, Finnish Transport Safety Agency

- establishing, through the International Maritime Organisation, the Baltic Sea as a Special Area according to the Annex IV of MARPOL

HELCOM countries submitted to IMO MEPC 60 in December 2009 a joint proposal to designate the Baltic Sea as a control area for sewage discharges from passenger ships, whereby passenger ships will be required to treat their sewage to remove nutrients or deliver it to port reception facilities. HELCOM countries have also submitted in June 2010 supplementary information to the proposal for consideration by MEPC 61 (MEPC 61/7). MEPC 61 approved new regulations, which – after adoption at MEPC 62 in 2011 - will come into force when the Baltic Sea countries inform IMO on adequacy of PRF for sewage in their passenger ports.

HELCOM countries have been requested to encourage voluntary tightening of the existing regime for sewage discharges from ships.

The European Cruise Council, representing the leading cruise companies operating in Europe, has committed their members to undertake to discharge waste water ashore at Baltic ports with adequate port reception facilities which operate under a “no-special-fee” system.

Therese Nilsson, (therese.nilsson@regionblekinge.se)

- through better involvement of different actors, i.e. coastal municipalities and ports together with national authorities, research institutes, universities and pan-Baltic organisations and finding practical solutions to improve waste handling (BALTIC MASTER II)

Policy framework in place (e.g. HELCOM Recommendations 23/1, 22/3, 22/1, 19/3, 19/12, 19/10, 19/9, 14/7 and more at www.helcom.fi )

Mogens Schrøder Bech(mb@dma.dk)

Nordic Council of Ministers

- evaluate the economic performance of the fleet segments and apply necessary measures to adjust fishing capacity to a level in-line with the available resource using national means or

regulations within the framework of the CFP

- enhancement of national quota utilisation and fisheries control and inspection, especially by high- tech monitoring and surveillance, improved coordination and harmonisation among Member States

- an effective traceability system based on existing legislation and further analysis of developments should be established

- Copenhagen Declaration on combating unreported cod fishery in the Baltic Sea should be implemented

Information exchange within HELCOM Baltic Fisheries and Environmental Authorities Forum

Availability of new technical means to monitor landings/catches; exchange of available Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data

- to develop a common Baltic Sea Region approach

- national forest programmes or similar and / or national renewable energy plans, balancing renewable energy development, nature conservation strategies and wood mobilisation

Ministry of Agriculture

Laimonas Čiakas (laimon@zum.lt)

Vitalija Fokienė (vitalija.fokiene@zum.lt)

- streamlining of the rural development measures in the national rural development programmes, including joint studies and monitoring

- need to develop joint training and advisory measures, with more emphasis on common innovation across borders

- deeper cooperation between the Local Action Groups in LEADER and other stakeholders in rural areas, leading to development of joint projects

HELCOM participation in Baltic COMPASS Project 2010-2012:

• 
  discussions of experiences and assessment of environmental efficiency of past Rural Development Programmes between different countries
  

• 
  contribute to drafting of and discussion on implementability of changes to RDPs to adjust them accordingly in each country to target the locally critical issues
  

Mika Mustonen (mika.mustonen@efi.int),

Teemu Seppä (teemu.seppa@mmm.fi)

Mads Randbøll Wolf (mrw@norden.org)

Katrine Hahn (hahn@life.ku.dk)

that are considered to have positive effect on hindering soil erosion, to minimize the use of acidifying substances, on Carbon capture and storage and finally to conserve genetic diversity

Swedish Board of Agriculture

Joakim Holmdahl (joakim.holmdahl@jordbruksverket.se)

should be reinforced. Actions and experience by the Nordic Council of Ministers should be exploited for further cooperation and development, including the Nordic Baltic cooperation in this field

• 
  streamlining of the coastal development measures in the national EFF programmes, including joint studies and monitoring
  
• 
  need to develop joint training and advisory measures, with more emphasis on common innovation across borders
  
• 
  deeper cooperation between the stakeholders, leading to development of joint projects
  
• 
  - inter-regional and trans-national cooperation to be promoted among the fisheries groups under the EFF support for the sustainable development of fisheries areas, mainly through the national and the Community networks
  

Ministry of Agriculture

Robert Andrén (robert.andren@agriculture.ministry.se)

Agnetha Alriksson (agnetha.alriksson@agriculture.ministry.se)

and

A forum called Baltfish has been established to enhance collaboration among Baltic Sea Member States as a first step towards further regionalisation of fisheries management. The forum will elaborate with relevant Baltic Sea organisations including the BS RAC and HELCOM how integration of concerned stakeholders in fisheries management and policy implementation can be strengthened

The project is expected to continue without a pre-determined endpoint

Work within HELCOM Baltic Fisheries and Environmental Forum assists the coordination and cooperation and a joint contribution to the EU on the reform of CFP addresses for further regionalization of management and decision-making.

Co-ordination of activities between the HELCOM Fisheries and Environment Forum and BaltFish, e.g. through back-to-back meetings.

Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Ole Poulsen (opo@fvm.dk),

Stina Gmür (stgm@fvm.dk)

Even though discard rates are comparatively low in the Baltic Sea, there is scope for measures to reduce or eliminate them. This could be done by establishing joint pilot projects to identify viable solutions including gear modifications or temporal closures

A Technical Working Group was established in spring 2010 with two meetings held in April and May

The project is expected to be finished by the end of 2010 or

first half of 2011

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Maria Szemplinska (Maria.Szemplinska@minrol.gov.pl )

Sweden

Swedish National Network for Rural Development

Hans-Olof Stålgren (hans-olof@stalgren@hush.se )

- to develop sustainable rural tourism, agriculture, forestry and aquaculture or inland water fisheries

- new practices on using an integrated approach to be developed to minimize the leakage of nutrients

HELCOM participation in Baltic COMPASS Project 2010-2012

Swedish Board of Fisheries

Laura Piriz (Laura.piriz@fiskeriverket.se)

- addressing failures and opportunities in the policy as identified in the Common Fisheries Policy reform process in cooperation with stakeholders concerned and including the development of alternative approaches and the exchange of existing best practice in support of the reform of the policy

- public authorities and stakeholders to take into account the recommendations of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

Work within HELCOM Baltic Fisheries and Environmental Forum.

Development of the Core Set of indicators to reflect the ecological objectives of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and updating of the existing almost forty indicator fact sheets on the HELCOM website annually

Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute

Unto Eskelinen (unto.eskelinen@rktl.fi )

- implemented by the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) operational programmes of the EU Member States

Mika Mustonen (mika.mustonen@efi.int),

Teemu Seppä (teemu.seppa@mmm.fi)

Mads Randbøll Wolf (mrw@norden.org)

Katrine Hahn (hahn@life.ku.dk)

EFINORD interacts with EU especially in policy related issues and integrates forest research of the Nordic region into Europe. The network should focus on sustainable forest management, reflecting regional issues; primarily biomass production and ecosystem services, which are high on the agenda for forest owners, industry, and society at large

At the moment, there are altogether nine projects under the flagship. The projects are at various stages of project cycle. Project "Hardwoods are good" has received funding (1.2 million € from the South Baltic Programme) and implementation is underway. Three projects/activities ("Evolutionary genetic pockets for broadleaved tree species", "Cooperation in breeding of Norway spruce" and "Creating a Nordic-Baltic information service for forests and forestry") have received seed-money from the Nordic Council of Ministers. The goal of the seed money granted to launch start-up phase and to further develop project activities. The rest of the projects are currently still at planning phase or seeking funding.

Nordic Council of Ministers

Mads Randbøll Wolf

(mrw@norden.org )

to secure sustainable conservation and use of plant genetic resources relevant for food and agriculture. To accomplish this, networks of institutions within the region are already established to exchange and develop knowledge within the field.

Innovation Centre for Bioenergy and Environmental Technology (CBMI)

Knud Tubrik (kt@cbmi.dk )

Finland

Agrifood Research, Technology Research and Environmental Research (MTT)

and

- exchange of information on how to process manure in sustainable ways in the Baltic Sea Region to minimize the environmental impact, and to reach benefits such as renewable energy

HELCOM Agriculture and Environment Forum

HELCOM BALTHAZAR Project

HELCOM participation in the Baltic COMPASS Project

Julius-Kühn-Institut

Silvia Haneklaus (silvia.haneklaus@jki.bund.de )

BATMAN

Swedish Board of Agriculture

Joakim Holmdahl (joakim.holmdahl@jordbruksverket.se)

In the Nordic-Baltic region veterinary contingency planning has been on the common agenda for some years and some of the experience will be used in a future cooperation in the whole Baltic Sea Region. The efforts made to facilitate training in the Nordic-Baltic region in the use of risk analysis and creation of networks for sharing experiences should be explored

Bjarke Wiehe Bøtcher, DaMSA, (bbt@frv.dk)

Steen Balslev

Silja Ruokola

Hannu Laurikaineni

and

- creation of an integrated network of reporting and surveillance systems is needed for all maritime activities, such as maritime safety, maritime security, protection of the marine environment, fisheries control, customs, border control and law enforcement

- identify possible gaps and inconsistencies in fields where cooperation between civil and military assets exists, or could be developed in the future

- improve the coordination and information sharing mechanisms between the existing systems to ensure their effective interoperability

- Coastal states should jointly consider whether new measures (routing/traffic separation schemes/mandatory reporting systems) should be introduced

- decisions on these measures should be based on the analysis of the risks and effectiveness of the measures based on a formal safety assessment and research projects

- jointly utilize improved satellite navigation systems, such as Galileo, to support maritime positioning and navigation, especially for Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VMS), hazardous-cargo monitoring, for port approaches, ports and restricted waters as well as for safety systems for Search and Rescue

A HELCOM meeting of experts on maritime safety, 22 February 2011, Malmö, identified 12 areas for strengthening of regional expert cooperation in navigational safety.

Overall risk analysis of shipping accidents on-going under the HELCOM’s BRISK and BRISK-RU Projects.

Joint application to IMO regarding increased use and optimization of AIS application-specific messages, based on the AISBALTIC Project. The work will continue (within the AISBALTIC follow-up actions and the Efficient Sea Project reported to HELCOM AIS EWG) to promote the use of the messages in the Baltic Sea to enhance the information exchange between ships and shore authorities.

Bernt Stedt, Chairman of HELCOM Response Group, Swedish Coast Guard

such as coastal radars, Automatic Identification System (AIS), Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT), earth observation satellites and maritime patrol aircraft, in the Baltic Sea Region

- cooperation between Baltic Sea Region Member States and the European Maritime Safety Agency in tracing illegal discharges by ships will continue

- further dialogue between relevant authorities, including the armed forces, to investigate the possibility of operating jointly national assets at regional level should take place

Joint aerial surveillance activities, supported by AIS, VMS, satellites and oil drift forecasting tool Seatrack Web coordinated by HELCOM RESPONSE and its Informal Working Group on Aerial Surveillance.

Cooperation with EMSA well established, including coordinated request for satellite images covering the Baltic Sea.

The Finnish Border Guard

Marko Tuominen

(marko.tuominen@raja.fi)

Bernt Stedt, Chairman of HELCOM Response Group, Swedish Coast Guard

- to involve national “coast guard-like” services in EU Member States and third countries, in the context of maritime safety, maritime security, and pollution prevention and response in the Baltic Sea

Swedish Coast Guard Headquarters

Dan Thorell

(dan.thorell@coastguard.se)

- to develop and test mechanisms for improving maritime awareness by sharing operational information between government departments and agencies responsible for monitoring activities at sea of all Baltic Sea countries

- development of technical interfaces that securely allow for all countries to join in a common situational image containing restricted law enforcement and other information

(FAST TRACK)

(Juha Korhonen, Finnish Transport Agency)

- to ensure that safety of navigation is not endangered by inadequate source information

The Moscow Ministerial Meeting agreed to extend the scope of the 2001 HELCOM Copenhagen Declaration to cover all routes and other areas used for navigation according to the revised Baltic re-survey scheme to be developed based on the 2009 Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission Vision for the re-survey as well as to:

1. 
   - present their national re-survey plans preferably by 2013, but not later than 2015, including time schedule estimations;
   
2. 
   - undertake necessary measures to ensure that sufficient funding, including external funding, will be available for re-surveys;
   
3. 
   - undertake measures to improve mariners’ abilities to assess and interpret hydrographic content in nautical charts and publications either in printed or digital form, especially in the Electronic Chart Display and Information System.
   
4. 
   
   
5. 
   The BSHC Re-survey Monitoring Working Group has adjusted its Work Programme accordingly (as approved by BSHC 15th Conference in 2010).
   
6. 
   An application to the EU TEN-T funding to speed up re-surveys of the Finnish and Swedish area has been approved in 2011).
   

- establishing one or more e-navigation trial zones, in view of the gradual achievement of an integrated network of e-navigation systems for European coastal waters and the high seas (EfficienSea project)

Ministry of Infrastructure, Department of Maritime Transport and Inland Navigation

Dorota Lost-Sieminska

Justyna Bartnicka

(jbartnicka@mi.gov.pl )

- to provide young people attractive prospects for a life-long career in maritime enterprises / professions and facilitate mobility between sea and land based jobs

“Jointly develop high standards of training, drills and exercises” for upgrading seafarers' competences, and adapting requirements to today's shipping industry (sophisticated vessels, ICT, security and safety, navigation in ice conditions)

- ensure familiarity with security plans and procedures for ship and port facility security

HELCOM Recommendation 28E/11 on further measures to improve the safety of navigation in ice conditions in the Baltic Sea.

HELCOM supports at policy level training in ECDIS use (through its Ministerial Meeting in Moscow in May 2010).

- improving the way information on accidents is gathered and analysed, enhanced training and awareness programmes, as well as sharing best practices and developing specific measures to increase the safety of fishermen

- to identify any preventive measures and regulations in relation to safety and security.

Danish Defence Command / Policy Branch

Claus Smith Rasmussen

and

- to ensure swift national and international response to maritime pollution incidents, including intensifying cooperation between offshore and shoreline response (notably including local and regional authorities),

and enhanced cooperation on places of refuge based on directive 2002/59

- a mutual plan for places of refuge is under development to ensure that a ship in distress is always granted the most suitable place of refuge irrespective of national borders

Well under way

A stand-by network of response vessels in all Baltic Sea countries is already established and ready to assist each other in case of ship pollution according to HELCOM Response Manual.

On-going HELCOM Project “Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea” (BRISK), co-financed within the Baltic Sea Region Programme from ERDF. Complementary activities in Russia are funded within the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) BRISK-RU project. These two projects aim at ensuring that each sub-region in the Baltic Sea will be capable of efficiently responding to major pollution at sea.

HELCOM Response Manual has been amended with cooperation on oiled wildlife response. A new HELCOM Expert Working Group on Shoreline Response established e.g. to include also transboundary shoreline response into the HELCOM operational procedures.

HELCOM Recommendation 31E/5 on Mutual Plan for Places of Refuge adopted at the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting on 20 May 2010, Moscow.

- develop methods on how to enhance cooperation between different local, regional and national agencies having a role in emergency operations relating to winter storms and storm surge, and on how to increase synergies with the Community Civil Protection Mechanism

- methods for cooperation should be given a broad interpretation including public awareness actions, contingency planning, disaster scenarios, communication systems, use of technology, joint exercises and training, etc.

HELCOM-supported Project “EnSaCo” on transboundary cooperation on shoreline and wildlife response, including organization of volunteers, between Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Russia.

HELCOM cooperation with Sea Alarm and WWF Finland, including the jointly developed HELCOM Recommendation 31E/6 on Wildlife Response Planning in the Baltic Sea area adopted by 2010 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting.

Project Manager: Peter Poulsen, DK

- based on assessment of the integrated risk of shipping accidents (BRISK project, financed by the ‘Baltic Sea Region’ transnational programme, which is part of the ‘Territorial Cooperation’ objective)

The BRISK and BRISK-RU Projects (see a strategic action) implemented under the umbrella of the HELCOM Response Group. Note: The lifespan of the project has been extended to April 2012.

- to anticipate potential disasters, thus enabling a rapid and effective EU response through the Community Civil Protection Mechanism

The HELCOM Moscow Ministerial Declaration established the role of HELCOM as the regional platform for the implementation of the MSFD. Overall coordination for the regional implementation of the MSFD is being carried out by the Joint Advisory Board of the HELCOM CORESET and TARGREV projects. Expert work on establishing indicators and GES targets is being carried out in the HELCOM CORESET project, and the TARGREV project for strengthening the eutrophication status targets’ scientific basis.

The HELCOM National Implementation Programme Project (NIP Project) presented a first evaluation of the nine National Implementation Programmes for how the countries have/will implement the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, at the HELCOM 32/2011 high-level segment in order to share experience on common solutions to joint Baltic-wide activities. The outcome of the evaluation was reflected in a Communiqué of the High-level Segment, noting the progress and successful implementation in various fields, as well as the areas in which more activities are required. Together with a representative of the NIB/NEFCO Technical Assistance Fund for the HELCOM BSAP (BSAP Fund), the HELCOM Secretariat is trying to promote the development of project ideas within these focus areas, through visits to the countries and dialogues with interested stakeholders.

Establishment of the joint HELCOM-VASAB working group on maritime spatial planning (HELCOM-VASAB MSP WG)

Adopted mandate for the joint HELCOM-VASAB MSP WG

HELCOM-VASAB Baltic Sea Broad –scale Maritime Spatial Planning Principles adopted in the end of 2010

Approved Work Plan for the years 2010-2013 for the Working Group by the Second Meeting of the Joint HELCOM-VASAB MSP WG

On-going activities

The application of the MSP principles is being tested within the EU funded HELCOM led project PlanBothnia project.

The discussion within the group continues on the international legislative basis for MSP as well as the application of the ecosystem approach as an overarching principle for MSP, with the aim to identify basic elements and find a common understanding on these two issues.

The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is an example of a comprehensive action plan which is based on coherent scientific information, including a long tradition of HELCOM in monitoring and assessment activities. HELCOM continues activities to strengthen the knowledge basis that support the various activities in implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan.

Development of the Core Set of Indicators is the first step of the revision of HELCOM’s monitoring programmes and is being carried out by the HELCOM CORESET project.

Activities needed

Revision of HELCOM monitoring programmes to adjust to the current needs and new policy frameworks should be undertaken and HELCOM HOD have agreed in principle on a HELCOM MORE project to begin the revision.

HELCOM and its data hosts hold large quantities of data collected by the Contracting Parties through the various HELCOM monitoring programmes initiated already in the 1970s.

Development of the HELCOM map and information service on the HELCOM web site will continue.

Need for actions

To ensure the use of the above-mentioned data, as well as data structures and that EMODNET will contribute to the development of the HELCOM data collection and storage