Development of HELCOM Core Set indicators (HELCOM CORESET) (2010-2013)

Targets

WP1. To make the holistic assessment of the Baltic Sea ecosystem health status available on the HELCOM web site with links to the technical background reports and supporting information.

WP2. To develop a HELCOM Core Set of Indicators for Biodiversity (CSIB) with quantitative targets to allow an assessment of the status of the Baltic Sea in relation to the ecological objectives for biodiversity.

WP3. To develop a HELCOM Core Set of Indicators for hazardous substances (CSIHS) with quantitative targets to allow an assessment of the status of the Baltic Sea in relation to the ecological objectives for hazardous substances.

Activities

The project will be initiated with work on transforming the HELCOM holistic assessment of ecosystem health of the Baltic Sea into an interactive internet version on the HELCOM web pages which links the assessment report to all available supplementary and supporting background information, such as the results of the updated HEAT, BEAT and CHASE assessments and technical background information on the Baltic Sea Pressure Index and integrative status assessment tool. The internet version should enable tracking of the assessment results to the level of individual indicators and as far as possible even to data.

The major part of the project will be devoted to the development of Core Set Indicators for hazardous substances and biodiversity. The work on further development of eutrophication indicators and targets should time-wise run parallel with this project.

The HELCOM thematic assessments published in 2009 and 2010 will serve as a basis for the development of these Core Set indicators. The work will be carried out under a HELCOM CORESET Steering Group which will convene to steer the overall work defined in WP2 and WP3 on Core Set Indicators. The meetings of the steering group will be held back-to-back with the expert workshops, and the workshop activities will be carried out time-wise in parallel to the extent possible.

The work on the indicators will be started by drafting of a more detailed project outline and timetable, including a gap analysis between the HELCOM indicators and EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive's  Good Environmental Status (GES) criteria and a plan for bridging and harmonising them as far as possible.
 

Expected results

1. HELCOM holistic assessment of ecosystem health of the Baltic Sea will be made into an internet version, linked with all the available supporting information and data, and displayed on the HELCOM webpage.

2. Regularly updated HELCOM Core Set of Indicators with targets for biodiversity and hazardous substances, along with those created for eutrophication, finalised and displayed on the HELCOM webpage.

Contacts

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

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