Holistic assessment of the Baltic marine environment, including a thematic assessment of hazardous substances (HELCOM HOLAS)

The objective of HOLAS is to assist the harmonized implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and thus proactively pave the way for the harmonized implementation of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Within the project, a thematic assessment on hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea will be produced by applying an indicator-based quantitative approach. The assessment will use a selected set of data on hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea area and, in line with international and national requirements, produce a quantitative tool to assess the status of the marine chemical environment.

Production of the holistic assessment of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea will be initiated by development of a strategic concept and plan for the holistic assessment. The holistic assessment will cover all the four segments of the Baltic Sea Action Plan – eutrophication, biodiversity, hazardous substances and maritime traffic – and take into account socio-economic factors in the region. The assessment will be made available for the 2010 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting.

Further specific objectives of the HOLAS project are to provide support to the process of revising HELCOM monitoring and reshaping of assessment activities into indicator-based assessments which better serve the purposes of implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and other international obligations. Additionally, the project will implement a number of measures contained in the Baltic Sea Action Plan concerning prevention of introduction and spreading of alien species in the Baltic Sea area.

The holistic assessment, including the thematic assessment on hazardous substances will be elaborated by a Task Force group consisting of experts from the Contracting Parties. The project is funded partly by the EU.

Contacts:

Professional Secretary
Ms. Maria Laamanen
Phone: +358 46 850 9198
Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645
Email: maria.laamanen@helcom.fi

Project Researcher
(HELCOM HOLAS)
Mr. Samuli Korpinen
Phone: +358 400 329 157
Fax: +358 (0)207 412 645
Email: samuli.korpinen@helcom.fi