- Proposed actions, targets and indicators to reach the objectives Eutrophication - Proposed actions, targets and indicators to reach the objectives Maria Laamanen, Finnish Ministry of the Environment HELCOM Stakeholder Conference 6 March, 2007, Helsinki

A multifaceted problem

Baltic Sea is prone to eutrophication Large and densely populated drainage area combined with a small water volume Slow water renewal, less frequent pulses of saline water Oxygen deficiency leading to internal loading of phosphorus

HELCOM goal and ecological objectives for eutrophication Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophication Concentrations of nutrients close to natural levels Clear water Natural level of algal blooms Natural distribution and occurrence of plants and animals Natural oxygen levels

Targets and indicators Non-polluted water Eutrophied water

Current status of nutrient inputs Some progress has been made in reducing discharges of nutrients within the catchment area But riverine nutrient load to the Baltic Sea has not clearly decreased Reductions of phosphorus and nitrogen inputs to the Baltic Sea are needed

Needed nutrient reductions to reach good environmental status - Scenarios A mathematical model (MARE BALTIC NEST) was used to calculate a best case scenario which included improved sewage treatment, introduction of P-free detergents and application of best agricultural practices It was estimated that those measures would result in nutrient load reductions of approximately 21 000 tonnes (56 %) of P and 150 000 tonnes (21 %) of N These reductions would be sufficient to reach the environmental targets

Action Guiding principles Full implementation of existing legislation and recommendations Cost-effectiveness Possibly needed as well Speeding up of implementation of existing regulations and recommendations Measures going beyond existing regulations

Proposals currently under discussion

Commitment of HELCOM countries to nutrient reductions Country- and sub-basin -specific reduction targets with a target year to be established Analysis of a possible nutrient quota and a nutrient credits trading scheme for the Baltic Sea region

Stricter requirements for phosphorus removal at the municipal wastewater treatment plants It is a means to cost-efficiently reduce nutrient inputs to the sea according to MARE project A new HELCOM Recommendation placing standards, such as at least 90 % reduction of P or at most 0,5 mg/L concentration of total P in the effluent of the treatment plant

Minimising nutrient pollution from ships Sewage Initiative to make the Baltic Sea a special area under MARPOL Annex IV Two options: ban for discharges of sewage into the water combined with improvement of reception facilities more effective sewage treatment onboard Nitrogen emissions to air Actions/recommendation on economic incentives to reduce emissions from ships Ongoing evaluation of effects of nitrogen emissions

Reduction of domestic waste water discharges from scattered dwellings Part of the population in the Baltic Sea cathcment is not connected to centralised sewers and relies on onsite waste water system A proposal for action to be elaborated on the basis of Finnish decree on Onsite Wastewater Systems It has a basic requirement that a decrease of 80 % of P and 40 % of N must be achieved

Innovative measures to reduce nutrient inputs from agriculture Regionally adjusted reduction targets for agricultural nutrient pollution A ”tool kit”of measures Countries to choose appropriate measures from the ”tool kit” to reach the reduction targets

Ban for phosphorus in detergents A cost-effective measure already in use in certain countries A proposal to be developed by Sweden

Removal of sprat Populations of sprat have grown and they may enhance eutrophication More efficient removal of sprat by increased fishing pressure is suggested as a form of food wed restauration

Joint HELCOM positions concerning … the EU Common Agricultural Policy ”health check” of 2008 revision of the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive revision of the Gothenburg protocol of the UN’s Economic Commission for Europe’s convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution

We must safeguarde a clean, healthy and productive sea for the present and future generations