Statistics shows significant drop in the number of incidents of chemical munitions caught by fishermen in the Baltic Sea

Helsinki, 2 May (HELCOM) – Only 4 small scale incidents of World War II chemical munitions caught by fishermen in the Baltic Sea were reported during last year, compared to 25 in 2003, according to the annual statistics submitted by Denmark to HELCOM. It is the lowest number of such catches since 1999. However, experts are not yet attributing any specific trends to the drop in the numbers. The reason for the decrease, as for the dramatic increase in 2003, is unknown. This is probably due to a combination of different factors, such as the intensity of fishing activities in the areas close to the dumped chemical munitions and the recommendations set up by the authorities. 

As the Lead Country for dumped chemical munitions, Denmark prepared the report based on information received as of 9^th of April 2005. Most of the netted chemical munitions were completely corroded and represented lumps of mustard gas and sneeze gas. All the catches occurred east of Bornholm, near the area where large amounts of chemical munitions were dumped after World War II. Three separate incidents involved mustard gas, with a total weight of approximately 140 kg of netted clay-like lumps, and in an another episode a 20 kg sneeze gas lump was caught by a fishing vessel. Most of catches were released by fishermen at sea, however, one was disposed of on land.

The year 2003, with 25 catches amounting to 1110 kg of gas lumps, held one of the biggest increase in the number of incidents and total weight of the chemical munitions caught in the Baltic Sea since the mid 1990s. Over the period 1995-2002, about 3 -11 incidents were reported annually, with a total weight of munitions not exceeding 512 kg a year. The highest number of incidents during the last 20 years was in 1991 with 103 catches amounting 5378 kg.

About 40,000 tonnes of chemical munitions were dumped into the Baltic Sea after the Second World War – mostly in the area to the east of Bornholm, southeast of Gotland and south of Little Belt. It is estimated that these chemical munitions contained some 13,000 tonnes of chemical warfare agents. Dumping areas are marked as foul with “anchoring and fishing not recommended” on nautical charts. However, fishing in these areas is not prohibited, with commercial fishing carrying on.

Discoveries of warfare agents during fishing trips outside the dumping areas occur from time to time. The problem is recognised especially in the area of Bornholm. Fishermen operating here repeatedly find bombs, shells and fragments thereof as well as lumps of mustard gas in their bottom trawl nets. The crews of fishing vessels risk contamination by chemical warfare agents if lumps of viscous mustard gas or chemical munitions are caught in bottom trawls and hauled on board. Simply touching chemical agents or inhaling the vapours is very dangerous.

Chemical warfare agents break down at varying rates into less toxic, water-soluble substances. Some compounds, however, show an extremely low solubility and slow degradability (e.g. viscous mustard gas, Clark I and II, and Adamsite). These compounds cannot occur at higher concentrations in water, therefore, wide-scale threat to the marine environment from these dissolved chemical warfare agents can be ruled out. HELCOM has carried out extensive assessments and concluded that the threat from residues of warfare agents or chemical munitions to the coastal areas is also unlikely.

Contacts:

HELCOM Secretariat

Mr Tadas Navickas
Professional Secretary
Tel: +358 9 6220 2242
Fax: +358 9 6220 2239

Mr Nikolay Vlasov
Information Secretary
Tel: +358 9 6220 2235
Fax: +358 9 6220 2239