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Working programme for the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Group (HELCOM MONAS), 2009-2011

 

The main task of HELCOM MONAS is to coordinate and implement the monitoring and assessment activities of HELCOM, including the quality assurance and data related activities following the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy adopted by HELCOM 26/2005. HELCOM MONAS also has the responsibility to technically and scientifically support the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and to scrutinize the implementation of the valid HELCOM Recommendations under MONAS.

The tables below outline the main tasks that stem from the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy, HELCOM Recommendations under HELCOM MONAS and those actions of the Baltic Sea Action Plan which have been addressed by the BSAP Implementation Group (IG) to HELCOM MONAS. The tables also present the deadline for a particular action as far as specified.

List of tables

Table 1. General tasks of HELCOM MONAS

Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan:

Table 2. Segment V Development of assessment tools and methodologies

Table 3. Segment VIII Implementation and review of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

Table 4. Segment I Eutrophication

Table 5. Segment II Hazardous substances

Table 6. Segment III Biodiversity and nature conservation

Table 7. Segment IV Maritime activities

Table 8. Segment VI Awareness raising and capacity building

 

Table 1. General tasks of HELCOM MONAS

 

TaskDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting
Implementation of the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy, including the Data and information Strategy of HELCOMOpen endedTo ensure that all activities under HELCOM MONAS are carried out according to the Strategy and support its implementationRegular follow-up of the implementation in MONAS meetings, with particular focus on development of indicators and HELCOM monitoring programmesReporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 26/3 Monitoring of radioactive substancesOpen endedTo ensure the implementation of Recommendation 26/3 Monitoring of radioactive substances (see also the task under the BSAP)Activities within HELCOM MORS-PRO project (see also the task under the BSAP)Indicator fact sheets kept up to date, thematic assessments / Reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 26/2 Compilation of waterborne pollution load (PLC Water)Open endedTo ensure the implementation of RecommendationFollow-up and contribute to the PLC-5 project, review of annual nutrient load compilationsIndicator fact sheets kept up to date, integrated PLC assessment report to MONAS 12/2009 / Reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 24/1 Monitoring of airborne pollution load Open endedTo ensure the implementation of RecommendationTo review and follow-up the work by EMEP in cooperation with PLC on airborne pollutionIndicator fact sheets kept up to date, integrated PLC assessment report to MONAS 12/2009 / Reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 19/3 concerning the Manual for the Marine Monitoring in the COMBINE programme of HELCOMOpen endedTo ensure the implementation of RecommendationTo keep the manual up-to-date by Regular updates with necessary reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 13/1 Disposal of Dredged SpoilsOpen endedTo ensure the implementation of Recommendation in cooperation with LANDReporting on disposal of dredged material at sea based on 2007 data, report to LAND 14/2008 and MONAS 12/2009
Implementation of Recommendation 12/9 Follow-up studies in connection with major oil spillsOpen endedTo ensure the implementation of RecommendationCoordination by MONAS as needed and reporting to MONASReporting to Head of Delegation/HELCOM
Implementation of Recommendation 12/1 Procedures for granting permits for monitoring and research activities in the territorial waters and exclusive economic zones, fishing zones or continental shelvesOpen endedTo ensure the implementation of RecommendationReport to MONAS in case of abnormalitiesReporting to Head of Delegation/ HELCOM in case of abnormalities?
Implementation of Recommendation 10/1 Abnormal situations in the marine environmentOpen endedTo ensure the implementation of RecommendationReport to MONAS in case of abnormalitiesReporting to Head of Delegation/ HELCOM in case of abnormalities
HELCOM Head of Delegation 11/2003 LD21 decided that the recommendations in the Report on Chemical Munitions Dumped in the Baltic Sea by HELCOM CHEMU are still validOpen endedTo coordinate future investigations of the chemical processes of warfare agents and their ecological effectsTo annually review reports on dumped chemical ammunitions provided by the Lead Party DenmarkReporting to HELCOM

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Table 2. Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan, Segment V Development of assessment tools and methodologies

 

Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting

HELCOM Recommendation 28E/14       

- More reliable estimation and assessment of nutrient load from diffuse sources;     

- Combine and develop joint catchment models to link the nutrient input with ecosystem modelling on the effects in the marine environment

Open endedTo implement the Rec. by e.g. developing harmonised principles for quantifying losses and inputs from diffuse sourcesHELCOM DIFFUSE project established; Application for a project addressing nutrient inputs from diffuse sources Technical guidelines/ Reporting to the Commission
Development of a common HELCOM eutrophication assessment tool inter alia by promoting the HELCOM Project to elaborate the thematic assessment on eutrophication (EUTRO-PRO)2008To develop the indicator-based assessment tool and use it for an assessment of eutrophication of the Baltic SeaReview of the draft integrated thematic assessment on eutrophication, including an application of the indicator-based assessment tool HEATEUTRO-PRO report, including the Indicator-based assessment tool HEAT/ HOD 27/2008, HELCOM 30/2009

Efficient use of analytical tools, such as models to support management decisions, cooperation and and optimisation in the development and use of ecosystem models to optimise limited resources for the scientific community.
Lead party: [Germany]

Further develop information provision from ecosystem models to develop targets for good ecological status, indicators for assessing ecological status and re-evaluate future allowable nutrient inputs
Need for a Lead party: [Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Finland]

Open endedTo enhance the use of models and the work on modellingHELCOM MONAS 12/2008 to consider ecosystem modellingReporting to the Baltic Sea Action Plan Implementation Group
Monitor and assess the occurrence and inputs, as well as uses and sources of hazardous substances thereby producing a thematic assessment on hazardous substances2010To monitor and assess the occurrence and inputs of hazardous substances, and to produce a thematic assessment on hazardous substancesTo carry on monitoring and to organize the production of the thematic assessment making use of existing information and the results of HELCOM SCREENINGThematic assessment on hazardous substances/ HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in 2010
To further develop common HELCOM approach and assessment tools for assessing the status of biodiversity and nature conservation and to continuously monitor the conservation status and to periodically evaluate whether the targets of the Action Plan have been met using indicator-based assessments2009From HELCOM MONAS point of view to ensure a high quality HELCOM assessment which is in line with HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment StrategyTo take note of the report on progress of producing the assessment by the Project Manager of HELCOM BIOIntegrated thematic assessment of biodiversity and nature conservation/ HELCOM 30/2009

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Table 3. Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan,  Segment VIII Implementation and review of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

 

Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting
Monitor and evaluate the status of implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan by making use of the indicators agreed upon as well as HELCOM thematic assessments, annual HELCOM indicator fact sheets and other information available2010To coordinate monitoring and assessment activities in order to provide the necessary information and expert input, especially BSAP indicators, HELCOM indicator fact sheets, HELCOM thematic assessments and synthesizing informationTo develop a HELCOM core set of indicators with targets suitable for use in indicator-based assessments and with fact sheets providing necessary background information and to elaborate a holistic assessment of the status of and pressures to the Baltic Sea building on the thematic assessmentsA HELCOM set of indictors, a holistic assessment of the status of and pressures to the Baltic Sea/ HELCOM Ministerial Meeting 2010
Evaluate the effectiveness of the national programmes and to review the progress towards the ecological objectives2013To provide the necessary assessment and expert input for the HELCOM BSAP IG as above to enable the review of progressSee aboveNecessary assessment reports/ HELCOM Ministerial Meeting 2013
Adjust/update indicators and targets in order to ensure their relevance for reaching the objectivesAfter 2013To be built on the work aboveTo be built on the work aboveTo be built on the work above

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Table 4. Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan,  Segment I Eutrophication
 
Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting
Periodical review and revision of all the figures related to targets, maximum allowable inputs and nutrient reduction requirements, using a harmonised approach and updated infoFrom 2008To carry technical and scientific responsibility of the review and revisionTo support and monitor the work carried out by PLC/BNI/EMEP to provide the basis for the reviewUpdated Baltic Sea Action Plan figures/ HELCOM 30/2009
Application of assessments of the inputs and effects of airborne nitrogen to the Baltic Sea in the revision of the emission targets for nitrogen under CLRTAP
Lead party: Germany 
Time table to be clarified by GermanyTo support  and review the application process and to ensure that the marine environment is taken into account sufficientlyTo support  and review the application process which should be mainly based on EMEP and EUTRO-PRO reportsSee below
Joint input to strengthen the emission targets for nitrogen under the EU NEC Directive, Lead party: Germany[Sweden] Time table to be clarified by GermanyTo provide the basis or a draft for joint inputTo review the draft joint HELCOM input to the revision process produced by Germany with the assistance of the SecretariatDraft for the draft joint HELCOM EU member state’s input to the revision process/ Reporting to the Baltic Sea Action Plan IG
Joint input to strengthen the emission targets for nitrogen under the Gothenburg protocol under CLRTAP
Lead party: Germany [Sweden/Russia]
Time table to be clarified by GermanyTo provide the basis or a draft for joint inputTo review the draft joint HELCOM input to the revision process produced by Germany with the assistance of the SecretariatDraft for the draft joint HELCOM input to the revision process/ Reporting to the Baltic Sea Action Plan IG

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Table 5. Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan,  Segment II Hazardous substances

 

Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting
Screening of the occurrence of selected hazardous substances2008-2009To support and follow-up the work on screening and occurrence of selected hazardous substancesHELCOM Project on Screening of occurrences of hazardous substances in marine environment (co-funded by NCM)Final report of the project/ HOD 29/2009?
Screening of sources of selected hazardous substances
Lead Country: Finland
2009To support and follow-up the work on screening of sources of selected hazardous substancesThe Project on identification of sources of selected hazardous substances (COHIBA) with funding from EUFinal report in 2011/2012?
Introduction of Whole Effluent Approach
Lead Country: Finland
2009To support and follow-up the work on introducing the Whole Effluent ApproachSee above (COHIBA)Final report in 2011/2012?
Establishment of chemical product registers to be built upon e.g. the EU regulatory framework for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals, REACH (EC1907/2006)2010MONAS only to consider necessary implications to monitoring of this action, should be mainly an action for HELCOM LANDAct as necessary e.g. concerning monitoringXx/xx
Development of biological effects monitoring
Need for a Lead party: Finland
From 2008To develop biological effects monitoring building on activities of BONUS project BEASTTo elaborate guidelines for biological effects monitoring, develop indicators and reference values and to regularly follow the progress of BEASTGuidelines for biological effects monitoring?, indicator fact sheets?/Xxxx
Continuation of HELCOM’s work with regard to radioactivity, including monitoring of discharges, emissions from nuclear power plants as well as their effects in the marine environment in order to reach the targets for radioactivity Open endedTo support and follow-up the work carried out in relation to monitoring radioactivity by MORS-PROTo follow-up the work by MORS-PRO on annual updates to HELCOM Indicator Fact sheets and elaboration of an assessment report on radioactivityAnnually updated indicator fact sheets, an assessment report in 2009/ Head of Delegation 27/2008

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Table 6. Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan,  Segment III Biodiversity and nature conservation

 

Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting
Elaboration of broad-scale, cross-sectoral, marine spatial planning principles based on the ecosystem approach Need for a Lead party: [Germany]2010, 2012To follow-up the workTo review the outcome of HELCOM SCALE project in 2009, Workshop for planners and marine environment protection representatives to be organised in January 2009HELCOM SCALE final report/ HELCOM 31/2010? Outcome of the MSP workshop/ BSAP IG
Production of an assessment of the conservation status of non-commercial fish species Lead party: Sweden [Estonia]2011To follow-up the workHELCOM FISH project works on the issue, outcome in 2011Assessment report/ HELCOM 32/2011?
Promotion of research on developing methods for assessing and reporting on impacts of fisheries on biodiversityOpen endedRather a task of HELCOM HABITAT, MONAS to be informedNoneNone

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Table 7. Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan,  Segment IV Maritime activities

 

Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting
Ratification the Ballast Water Management Convention preceded with implementation of a road map, including:2013To support and follow-up of the activitiesTo continuously update and review the list of non-ingenious and target species in cooperation with HELCOM HABITAT and to adjust HELCOM monitoring programmes bearing in mind the need to obtain reliable data on non-indigenous species in the BalticList of non-indigenous, cryptogenic and harmful native species and a list of HELCOM Target Species/ Reporting to BSAP IG
1. Compile a list of non-indigenous, cryptogenic and harmful native species;Regularly updated
2. Select and agree on a list of HELCOM Target Species;Regularly updated
3. Conduct baseline surveys of prevailing environmental conditions in major ports 2008;2008
4. Develop criteria for unacceptable high risk scenarios and acceptable low risk scenarios for Baltic Sea voyages2009
5. To adjust HELCOM monitoring programmes to obtain reliable data on non-indigenous species in the Baltic2010

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Table 8. Tasks of HELCOM MONAS related to the Baltic Sea Action Plan,  Segment VI Awareness raising and capacity building

 

Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanDeadlineTask for HELCOM MONASAction by HELCOM MONASProduct/Reporting
Expand the HELCOM Geographic Information System (GIS) showing the progress towards a healthy Baltic SeaOpen endedTo support and follow-up the project carried out by the SecretariatProject to be funded by the NCM for 2009-2010, Contracting Parties to inform the Secretariat of their contact pointsReports to MONAS and a final report of the project/ Baltic Sea Action Plan IG

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Last updated: November 2008