HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission

📼 WEBINAR RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE!

Last week, we hosted a webinar on fishing gear marking together with our partners KIMO International and Havs- och vattenmyndigheten. Marked fishing gear is a crucial step in protecting marine ecosystems from lost fishing gear

🎥 buff.ly/UiPsx2f

#GhostFishing

New guidelines for transboundary MSP output data! 🌐

These new HELCOM-VASAB guidelines set clear data specifications for maritime spatial planning outputs, boosting interoperability, harmonization and cross-border cooperation across marine regions.

Download here ➡️ buff.ly/3vuXXwm

Eutrophication promotes algal blooms and alters the marine ecosystem. Changes are often noticed only through declining populations of affected species or the formation of vast hypoxic ‘dead zones.’ ⚠️

Read more in ‘Eutrophication: the Baltic Sea’s silent transformation’
buff.ly/PQZ2jNB

Protecting small cetaceans ASCOBANS' push to strengthen MPA management in Europe

🐬 How can harbour porpoises still be at risk inside protected areas? Following our recent webinar, our new article explains the paradox — and the work underway to fix it. @ascobans.bsky.social @helcominfo.bsky.social

🔗 Read the full article: protectbaltic.eu/news/f/prote...

Who is your Baltic Sea hero? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Baltic Sea Awards! @helcominfo.bsky.social

gansub.com/t/v/3_ODM0NT...

Shipping-related oil and HNS spills pose a severe threat to the m #BalticSea. In my latest piece, I briefly describe how @helcominfo.bsky.social contributes to prevention, response and long-term risk assessments, focusing in particular on the ongoing #BRISK II project.
merikotka.fi/en/brisk-ii-...

✍️ LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

WHAT: Webinar on marking of recreational fishing gear
WHEN: 20 Jan 2026, 9:00-12:30 CET
WHO: Government officials, representatives from fishing associations & relevant national, regional & international organisations working at policy/practical levels

🔗 buff.ly/44PLQhk

The Baltic Sea’s ecosystem faces severe threats from hazardous substances. While reductions in well-known pollutants have been achieved, a vast array of emerging substances pose a growing risk.

Read more in our brief for scientists ‘Emerging substances: Our next challenge ahead’.
👉 buff.ly/146Yc20

🔊 We are hiring!

Applications are invited for the post of Executive Secretary at the Helsinki Commission Secretariat. The post, which is based in Helsinki, Finland, will become vacant on 1 February 2027.

Vacancy announcement 👉 buff.ly/CpiN6AL

The Baltic Sea provides essential ecosystem services. 🎣 🏄‍♀️ However, unsustainable practices and habitat degradation are reducing service provision and causing ecological and economic losses.

Read more in our brief for scientists ‘Linking society and environment in the Baltic Sea’
👉 buff.ly/tuMLWbP

📑 Reducing nutrient inputs to the Baltic Sea

This concise brochure brings together key messages from two recent HELCOM reports: Effectiveness of measures to reduce nutrient inputs & Assessment of achieving NICs in 2030 and the effectiveness of measures.

👉 buff.ly/LQUdiFM

Our Science in a Seashell -series briefs for scientists summarise the latest research findings on the state of the Baltic Sea, guiding future research efforts. Each brief draws on key findings from the third HELCOM Holistic Assessment of the Baltic Sea (HOLAS 3).

👉 buff.ly/LL5Twi9

✍️ REGISTER NOW!

WHAT: Webinar on marking of recreational fishing gear 🎣
WHEN: 20 Jan 2026, 9:00-12:30 CET
WHO: Government officials, representatives from fishing associations & relevant national, regional & international organisations working at policy/practical levels

🔗 buff.ly/44PLQhk

Happy new year! 🌊

HELCOM’s vision is a healthy Baltic Sea environment with diverse biological components functioning in balance, resulting in a good ecological status and supporting a wide range of sustainable economic and social activities. In 2026, we'll keep working toward this vision.

Hazardous substances pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. A solid understanding of sources and their pathways to the sea will enable us to create targeted recommendations.

Read more in our brief for policymakers: buff.ly/fOskvCv

Embark on a Baltic Rescue! 🤿

Discover the secrets of the Baltic Sea and become a “diving detective” in Baltic Rescue – Match & Track, our new educational adventure game! 🐬

🎮 Play for free online or download on the app stores.

🔗 buff.ly/V4jvrEw

@partofnoise.bsky.social

#BalticRescueGame #GBL

Season’s greetings from HELCOM🎄

Thank you for your continued cooperation and best wishes for a new year dedicated to protecting the Baltic Sea. 🌊

p.s. You can meet all these animals in our Baltic Rescue game! Playing is the perfect way to pass time while waiting for Santa! 🐬 buff.ly/Iqc0Lqs

The Baltic Sea, among the most polluted in the world, continues to grapple with eutrophication. It is not merely an environmental issue - it also poses significant social and economic risks, demanding urgent action from policymakers.

Read more in our brief for policymakers ‘https://buff.ly/PQZ2jNB

The final HELCOM News Blast of 2025 is out! 📰

It features a recap of our recent news, publications, projects and more. Dive in! 🤿

👉 buff.ly/8eoAeUl

🔊 We are hiring!

Applications are invited for the post of Executive Secretary at the Helsinki Commission Secretariat. The post, which is based in Helsinki, Finland, will become vacant on 1 February 2027.

Apply by 22 March 2026.

Vacancy announcement 👉 buff.ly/CpiN6AL

✍️ REGISTER NOW!

WHAT: Webinar on marking of recreational fishing gear 🎣
WHEN: 20 Jan 2026, 9:00-12:30 CET
WHO: Government officials, representatives from fishing associations & relevant national, regional & international organisations working at policy/practical levels

🔗 buff.ly/44PLQhk

We warmly welcome the HELCOM Heads of Delegation and Observers to the Eight Informal Consultation Session of the Heads of Delegation (IC HOD 8-2025).

During this meeting, the session will review and discuss various documents, offering guidance and recommendations to advance HELCOM's work.

The Baltic Sea is an invaluable economic resource, but only if its ecosystems are protected and restored. Years of unsustainable use and environmental degradation have led to substantial financial losses.

Read more in our brief for policymakers: buff.ly/S83Bjk8

HELCOM’s new online game, Baltic Rescue – Match & Track invites players to track environmental issues like eutrophication and marine litter back to their root sources.

🤿 Step into the role of a diving detective and use real-life tools such to restore a healthier Baltic Sea!

🕹️ buff.ly/sDTRSZG

Our Science in a Seashell-series briefs for policymakers offer concise, actionable overviews on key challenges affecting the Baltic Sea. They are designed to support municipal and industry policymakers in their daily work, helping them to make informed, effective decisions.

👉 buff.ly/LL5Twi9

📖 NEW ARTICLE

In this article, Vasileios Kouloumpos highlights the important steps HELCOM has taken in recent years toward a more coordinated, region-wide approach to tackling harmful chemicals and protecting our shared marine environment.

Read here: 👉 buff.ly/TjOE0Hb

How the Regional Seas Programme is shaping a healthy, resilient ocean for people and nature 🌊

This collection of stories from the different Regional Seas Conventions (including HELCOM) shows how they are advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.

Explore here: buff.ly/hH7FaaC

Baltic Rescue – Match & Track is an environmental puzzle game where you use your logic to help save the Baltic Sea. It's been tested and fully approved by small (and big!) HELCOMers.

Dive into the adventure around the Baltic Sea: buff.ly/BKnM5oO

#BalticRescueGame #GameBasedLearning #GBL

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at HELCOM when you find Santa wandering the office corridors! On Friday we held the much-awaited annual kids' Christmas party, where the next generation of marine conservationists got to visit their parents' work place and enjoy lots of fun activities.

Embark on a Baltic Rescue! 🤿

Discover the secrets of the Baltic Sea and become a “diving detective” in Baltic Rescue – Match & Track, our new educational adventure game! 🐬

🎮 Play for free online or download on the App Store.

🔗 buff.ly/V4jvrEw

@partofnoise.bsky.social

#BalticRescueGame #GBL