Working programme for the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Group (HELCOM MONAS), 2011-2013

 

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 and the Moscow Ministerial Declaration:

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

 

Task	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/Reporting
Implementation and development of HELCOM’s coordinated monitoring and the HELCOM Monitoring and Assessment Strategy, including the Data and information Strategy of HELCOM	Open ended	To ensure that all activities under HELCOM MONAS are carried out according to the Strategy and support its implementation	Regular follow-up of the implementation in MONAS meetings, with particular focus on development of indicators and implementation as well as review of HELCOM monitoring programmes	Reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 29/2 on Marine litter within the Baltic Sea region containing Guidelines on sampling and reporting of marine litter found on beach	Open ended	Develop further steps for carrying out national and coordinated monitoring of marine litter and identify sources of litter. Further investigate the potential harmful impacts to wildlife from microscopic plastic particles, an ingestion of which could lead to the transfer of toxic chemicals to the food chain	Develop a coordinated and harmonized approach for the implementation of the decision.	Reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 26/3 Monitoring of radioactive substances	Open ended	To ensure the implementation of Recommendation 26/3 Monitoring of radioactive substances (see also the task under the BSAP)	Activities within HELCOM MORS EG project (see also the task under the BSAP)	Annually updated core indicator and 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 ended	To ensure the implementation of the Recommendation	Review of annual nutrient load compilations, regular work of the load expert group (including development of core indicator on nutrient inputs) and contribute to PLC 5.5 (if adopted by HOD 36)	Indicator fact sheets kept up to date, integrated PLC 5.5 to HELCOM MONAS 17/2012 (if adopted by HOD 36) / Reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 24/1 Monitoring of airborne pollution load	Open ended	To ensure the implementation of the Recommendation	To review and follow-up the work by EMEP in cooperation with the load expert group	Indicator fact sheets kept up to date, integrated PLC 5.5 assessment report to HELCOM MONAS 17/2012 (if adopted by HOD 36) / Reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 19/3 concerning the Manual for the Marine Monitoring in the COMBINE programme of HELCOM	Open ended	To ensure the implementation of the Recommendation	To keep the manual up-to-date by regular review	Revised COMBINE guidelines on quality assurance to HELCOM MONAS 16/2012, Regular review and updates with necessary reporting to HOD
Implementation of Recommendation 13/1 Disposal of Dredged Spoils	Open ended	To ensure the implementation of the Recommendation in cooperation with LAND	Annual reporting on disposal of dredged material at sea	Reporting on the activity to Head of Delegation/HELCOM
Implementation of Recommendation 12/9 Follow-up studies in connection with major oil spills	Open ended	To ensure the implementation of the Recommendation	Coordination by MONAS as needed and reporting to MONAS	Reporting 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 shelves	Open ended	To ensure the implementation of the Recommendation	Report to MONAS in case of abnormalities	Reporting to Head of Delegation/HELCOM in case of abnormalities
Implementation of Recommendation 10/1 Abnormal situations in the marine environment	Open ended	To ensure the implementation of the Recommendation	Report to MONAS in case of abnormalities	Reporting 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 valid; Establishment of an ad hoc HELCOM Expert Group (HELCOM MUNI) to update and review the existing information on dumped chemical munitions in the Baltic Sea;	Open ended		Follow-up on the work of HELCOM MUNI and annually review reports on dumped chemical munitions if so decided by HELCOM MUNI and HODs	Reporting to HELCOM HODs

 

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

 

Task/Reference to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan/Moscow Declaration	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/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 modeling on the effects in the marine environment	Open ended	To implement the Rec. by e.g. developing harmonized principles for quantifying losses and inputs from diffuse sources	HELCOM LOAD to revise PLC guidelines	Technical guidelines/Reporting to the Commission
Efficient use of analytical tools, such as models to support management decisions, cooperation and optimisation in the development and use of ecosystem models to optimise limited resources for the scientific community. Lead party: [Germany]	Open ended	To enhance the use of models and the work on modelling	HELCOM TARGREV project using ensemble modelling, Russian modelling to be incorporated as far as possible	TARGREV final report and reporting to Heads of Delegation/HELCOM
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 ended	To enhance the use of models and the work on modelling	See above	See above
Development of a core set of indicators with quantitative targets for each of the segments of the BSAP, while ensuring that the indicators can also be used for the other international monitoring and reporting requirements (e.g. EU MSFD), and that a full indicator-based follow-up system for the implementation of the BSAP be further developed and placed on the HELCOM website	2013	Development of core set indicators for hazardous substance and biodiversity with the view to have a follow-up system for the implementation of the BSAP	Support  the implementation of the HELCOM CORESET project	A HELCOM web page containing an indicator-based follow-up system for the state of and pressures on the Baltic Sea marine environment
Further develop and update, according to improved data availability and scientific knowledge, newly applied tools and methods for the assessment of the environmental status and ecosystem health of the Baltic Sea, such as those used in the HELCOM Initial Holistic Assessment	2013	To further develop methods of assessment of environmental status and ecosystem health	Support  the implementation of the HELCOM CORESET project Update the HOLAS indicator integration with reviewed and revised targets and indicators and improved assessment tools with the result being placed on the HELCOM BSAP follow-up website	Updating of HOLAS indicator integration by 2013 with reviewed targets and indicators to be placed on the BSAP follow-up web site
To develop common methodologies and appropriate indicators, to facilitate national and coordinated monitoring of noise and identification of sources of noise and to further investigate the potential harmful impacts to wildlife from noise.		Support the development of a coordinated and harmonized approach for the implementation of the decision.	- Make use of e.g. proxy information on underwater noise as contained in the HOLAS assessment - Support the implementation of the CORESET project	Reporting to the HELCOM HOD
To further assess in cooperation with the BALTEX community, the current and predicted effects of climate change on the pressures affecting the marine ecosystem.		Support the development of a process for the consideration of the need for supplementary actions following assessment results.	Cooperation with the BALTEX community, e.g. elaboration of the Second BACC text book	Reporting to the HELCOM HOD
The Moscow Ministerial Declaration calls for establishing, for those HELCOM Contracting States being also EU-Member States, the role of HELCOM as the coordinating platform for the regional implementation of the EU MSFD in the Baltic Sea, including striving for harmonised national marine strategies for achieving good environmental status according to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan and the EU MSFD.	2011/2013	Support and monitor the work of HELCOM CORESET and TARGREV projects and their Joint Advisory Board as the HELCOM CORESET and TARGREV projects will assist the EU member Contracting Parties in their implementation processes. Initiate a new project for revision of monitoring.	The HELCOM CORESET and HELCOM TARGREV projects and their Joint Advisory Board as well as the new monitoring revision project to carry out coordination and facilitations of: - elaboration of initial assessments the determination of GES, - the establishment of a series of environmental targets and associated indicators, - the establishment and implementation of a monitoring programme	Updated HOLAS indicator integration to the web site by 2013, preliminary targets and associated indicators to HELCOM HOD 36 for consideration in national processes, establishment of the full indicator-based follow-up system on the HELCOM web-page by 2013, accomplished review of monitoring programmes by 2013 / Progress reporting to HELCOM HOD

 

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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 Plan/Moscow Declaration	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/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 available	2010	To 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 information	Support the implementation of the CORESET project	Already published thematic assessments on eutrophication, hazardous substances and biodiversity, the Initial Holistic Assessment and annually updated indicator fact sheets. Preliminary set of core indicators and background report to HELCOM HOD 36
Evaluate the effectiveness of the national programmes and to review the progress towards the ecological objectives	2013	To provide the necessary assessment and expert input for the HELCOM 31/2010 to enable evaluation of progress	Support the implementation of the CORESET project in producing core indicators and indicator-based assessments	Necessary assessment reports/ HELCOM Ministerial Meeting 2013
Adjust/update indicators and targets in order to ensure their relevance for reaching the objectives	After 2013		To be built on the work above and the review the nutrient reduction scheme of the BSAP according to the Roadmap for review and the TARGREV project outcome	To build on the outcome of HELCOM CORESET and TARGREV projects

 

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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 Plan/Moscow Declaration	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/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 info	From 2008	To carry technical and scientific responsibility of the review and revision	Support the work of HELCOM LOAD and supervise the revision of the BSAP nutrient reduction allocation scheme and assessment of nutrient reductions towards targets taking into account inputs from the HELCOM TARGREV project	Report on progress to HELCOM HOD 36/2011, HELCOM MONAS 16/2012 and the following HELCOM MONAS and HOD meetings as necessary.
Joint input to the ongoing parallel revision process of the Gothenburg Protocol under the UN ECE CLRTAP and the revision of the EU NECD to ensure that the health of the marine environment, especially the nutrient load reduction targets designated to reduce eutrophication of the Baltic Sea, will be continuously taken into account in the elaboration and implementation of new regulations.		Elaborate necessary joint input by the load expert group	Elaboration of joint input within the load expert group based on information from the HELCOM TARGREV project and supporting assessment products, including reports on emissions from shipping and Danish scenario calculations of the impacts on atmospheric deposition to the Baltic Sea as a result of the proposed 2020 emission ceilings	Reporting to the HELCOM HOD

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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 Plan/Moscow Declaration	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/ Reporting
Screening of sources of selected hazardous substances Lead Country: Finland	2009	To support and follow-up the work on screening of sources of selected hazardous substances	Support implementation of the Project on identification of sources of selected hazardous substances (COHIBA) with funding from EU	Final report in 2012
Introduction of Whole Effluent Approach Lead Country: Finland	2009	To support and follow-up the work on introducing the Whole Effluent Approach	See above (COHIBA)	Final report in 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)	2010	MONAS only to consider necessary implications to monitoring of this action, should be mainly an action for HELCOM LAND	Act as necessary e.g. concerning monitoring
Development of biological effects monitoring Need for a Lead party: Finland	From 2008	To develop biological effects monitoring building on activities of BONUS project BEAST	- To elaborate guidelines for biological effects monitoring, develop indicators and reference values and to regularly follow the progress of BEAST - HELCOM MONAS and HELCOM FISH-PRO to consider the proposed indicators and reference values	Guidelines for biological effects monitoring?, indicator fact sheets?
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.  Continuation of monitoring programmes on radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea and keeping an eye on observation trends of the export of radionuclides from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea and vice versa.	Open ended	To support and follow-up the work carried out in relation to monitoring radioactivity by MORS-PRO	To follow-up the work by HELCOM MORS EG on annual updates to HELCOM core indicator and Indicator Fact sheets and elaboration of an assessment report on radioactivity	-    Annually updated core indicator and indicator fact sheets based on continuous monitoring -    Thematic assessment to be finalized in 2012

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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 Plan/Moscow Declaration	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/Reporting
Production of an assessment of the conservation status of non-commercial fish species Lead party: Sweden [Estonia]	2011	To follow-up the work	Support the work of HELCOM FISH-PRO	Assessment report to HELCOM HOD 36

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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 Plan/Moscow Declaration	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/Reporting
Ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention preceded with implementation of a road map, including:                                                              1.      compile a list of non-indigenous, cryptogenic and harmful native species; 2.      select and agree on a list of HELCOM Target Species; 3.      conduct baseline surveys of prevailing environmental conditions in major ports 2008; 4.      develop criteria for unacceptable high risk scenarios and acceptable low risk scenarios for Baltic Sea voyages           5.      To adjust HELCOM monitoring programmes to obtain reliable data on non-indigenous species in the Baltic	2013     Regularly updated Regularly updated 2008 2009                            2010	To support and follow-up of the activities	- To continuously review and update 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 Baltic - Support the activities of the CORESET project	List of non-indigenous, cryptogenic and harmful native species and a list of HELCOM Target Species Reporting to HELCOM HOD

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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 Plan/Moscow Declaration	Deadline	Task for HELCOM MONAS	Action by HELCOM MONAS	Product/Reporting
Expand the HELCOM Geographic Information System (GIS) showing the progress towards a healthy Baltic Sea	Open ended	To support and follow-up the further development of the HELCOM Map and Data service	Support the further development of the HELCOM Map and Data service	Datasets from HELCOM databases and selected indicators to be included in the map and data service

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Last updated: October 2011