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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

* New HELCOM report on discharges observed during aerial surveillance * HELCOM’s latest annual report on discharges observed during aerial surveillance shows a continued long-term decline in detected oil spills across the Baltic Sea region.🛢️ 📄 Explore the full report here: buff.ly/Yyai8sE

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Last week, experts from across the Baltic Sea region came together for a BALEX ALPHA tabletop exercise to practise how countries can work together when a large tanker accident causes oil to reach the sea and coastline. Read more: buff.ly/6y65m5W 📷️ Josse Johansson, Katarina Viik

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

🌊 Where is your favourite place at the Baltic Sea? We’re inviting you to help us fill the Baltic Sea with the places that matter to you. Add your favourite Baltic Sea place to our interactive map, then show us one place you’d like to visit next. 📍 buff.ly/zksqF3P

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Happy Baltic Sea Day! Join us at the Baltic Sea Day festival today, 27 August 2026, from 11:00 to 18:00 at Kansalaistori, in front of Oodi library in Helsinki! Find the HELCOM tent to learn more about our beautiful Baltic Sea. See you there! 💙 Explore the festival programme here: buff.ly/oq5A9wV

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

A very lively morning at HELCOM on Monday! The breakfast gathering, organised as part of the Guarding the Baltic Sea residency programme, was a unique opportunity for exchange and connect with artists and researchers working towards a better future of the Baltic Sea. Find out more: buff.ly/Bk91elK

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

HELCOM will be at Itämerifest this Thursday 27 August! 💙 Come celebrate Baltic Sea Day at Kansalaistori Square in Helsinki! We'll have interactive, Baltic Sea-themed activities for both kids and adults, offering fun ways to learn more about our beautiful Baltic Sea. buff.ly/oq5A9wV

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

This week we were excited to welcome visitors coming all the way from the USA! A group of University of Cincinnati students interested in climate, health and policy got the chance to learn about HELCOM and our climate change work. Thanks for visiting!

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Change in HELCOM Chairship! 🗝️ On 1 July 2026, Poland assumed the Chairship of HELCOM from Lithuania for a two-year term. Marek Romsicki has been appointed the new Chair of HELCOM, with Tomasz Wenecki as the Vice-Chair. Read more: buff.ly/oE7NiKo

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

📢 Fishing gear marking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce gear loss and its impacts. Our best practice guidelines provide practical advice on how to mark different types of fishing gear effectively. Find out more: buff.ly/ROHFrVc

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Love fishing? Hate losing gear? To help prevent gear losses and to reduce marine litter, we've created short guidelines for trap & pot fishers. Check it out and share with your fisher friends! 👉 buff.ly/5kQwNCH

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Love fishing? Hate losing gear? To help prevent gear losses and to reduce marine litter, we've created a short guideline for anglers. 🎣 View here: buff.ly/BGD4cjU Don't forget to share with your angler friends!

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

NEW REPORT! 🌱 The Nutrient Input Ceiling (NIC) Assessment 1995–2022 (Scientific Report) analyses trends in nitrogen & phosphorus inputs over nearly three decades and assesses whether countries and transboundary rivers are meeting their agreed ceilings. 👉 buff.ly/kPB392r

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Love fishing? Hate losing gear? To help prevent gear losses and to reduce marine litter, we've created a short guideline for recreational gillnet fishers. 🚣 Check it out and share with your fishing friends! buff.ly/wajBQhr

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

New publication! 📖 This report offers an overview of the characteristics of the Baltic Sea catchment area, including land use, population, climate, agriculture and other factors that influence nutrient and hazardous substance inputs to the sea. View here: buff.ly/bjbBXkz

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

We mark our luggage, kids clothes, boats, cars and pets. Why not our fishing gear we as well? 🎣 🏷️ Lost gear from angling and gillnet fishing makes up a significant share of marine litter. 🔗 Find out more and download our best practice guides: buff.ly/ROHFrVc

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

New HELCOM guidelines! 🔊 These guidelines for the design and use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in the HELCOM area provide recommendations to minimize the environmental impacts of underwater noise, while ensuring that these devices remain effective for reducing bycatch. 🐟️ 👉 buff.ly/20j3PJ7

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

June 2026 issue of HELCOM News Blast is out! 📰 Catch up on the latest developments from HELCOM over the past few months, including news, publications, videos and upcoming events. 👉 mailchi.mp/helcom.fi/on...

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

NEW CAMPAIGN: Best practices to reduce fishing gear loss 🎣 HELCOM, KIMO International & the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management have launched a new awareness campaign that promotes best practices for fishing gear marking among recreational fishers. More info: buff.ly/VxTUBG1

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

New HELCOM guidelines! 📘 These guidelines provide practical recommendations for collecting and handling sediment cores used to monitor historical contamination in the marine environment. Access here: buff.ly/wVls4IM

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

New HELCOM Roadmap! 🚢 This new regional framework aims to tackle pollutants released from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), commonly known as scrubbers. These discharge waters can contain heavy metals and other harmful substances that threaten the Baltic Sea’s ecosystems. 👉 buff.ly/YcY5wn0

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Thanks to the Cyprus EU Presidency for the opportunity to participate in the EU Water and Marine Dir. Mtg. in Pafos+to join colleagues from the other RSCs bordering 🇪🇺 in presenting an update on our activities and sharing our views on implementation challenges in a rev. MSFD. @helcominfo.bsky.social

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Great news! 🎉 We are delighted to welcome our former colleague Markus Helavuori as the next Executive Secretary of the HELCOM Secretariat. Markus will begin his initial three-year term on 1 February 2027. Congratulations, Markus! Read more: buff.ly/SBdAMGh Photo credit: CBSS

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

NEW POLICY BRIEF ON SUBMERGED MUNITIONS! 💥 MUNI-RISK project's new policy brief on submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea highlights why risk-based, site-specific assessment is needed to support practical decisions on what should be remediated, monitored or safely left in place. 👉 buff.ly/zFLPYiE

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

HELCOM's Annual Report 2025 is out! ⚙️ The report covers the full breadth of HELCOM's work last year, from marine protected areas and biodiversity to nutrients, hazardous substances, shipping and climate change. The full report is available here 👉 buff.ly/AyTT73s

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

#WorldEnvironmentDay 2026 focuses on climate change: The urgent signals the Earth is sending, and the signals we choose to send back. HELCOM is working to support regional action on climate change. Learn more about our climate-related work: buff.ly/0ldeVNm #NowForClimate

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

🔊 Calling schools across the Baltic region! The Baltic Sea Video Challenge invites middle and secondary school students to explore their local waterfront and tell its story through a short video. 📽️ Find out more: buff.ly/p3sw7BN

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of students from the Enrico Tosi Technical and Economic Institute in Italy. The students are currently in Finland on a study tour and were eager to learn more about HELCOM’s work and the environmental challenges facing the Baltic Sea.

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

It has been a busy week with visitors at HELCOM! Today we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of Swedish journalists with a particular interest in Baltic Sea security issues. Great meeting and, as expected, lots of tough questions!

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming researchers from the Merikotka research network to HELCOM. The group learned about HELCOM and the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), HOLAS assessments, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) as well as HELCOM's data services. Thank you for the engaging discussion!

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

17 May is the International Day of the Baltic Harbour Porpoise, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the critically endangered harbour porpoises in the Baltic Proper. In "Baltic Rescue - Match and Track" game you can learn about harbour porpoises. Have you played it yet? buff.ly/nkS4edt

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

We are wrapping up another #EUSBSR Annual Forum! Thanks for everyone who visited the HELCOM stand or took part in one of the sessions with HELCOM involvement (today's amazing Bistro SEABAS session pictured). See you next time in another amazing Baltic city!

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Congratulations to the #EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 Ecosfera Baltica prize draw winners! 👏 If the luck wasn't on your side this time, don't forget that Ecosfera Baltica can also be accessed as a free online version. More information: buff.ly/cxELH6w

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Youth involvement is crucial to securing a sustainable future for the #BalticSea Region. I was very pleased to present @helcominfo.bsky.social at today’s #BSSSC Spring Youth Event in #Helsinki. Thank you for the invitation and our lively discussion!

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

The #EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026 kicks off at #Kultuurikatel in #Tallinn, #Estonia, with a series of high-level addresses stressing the need for continued and regional coop. in addressing the multiple challenges the region faces and working to achieve #resilience and #security. @helcominfo.bsky.social

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

It was a pleasure to take part in this panel discussion at the #EUSBSR AF 2026. Thank you to our excellent moderators, Emma Nelson and Johannes Tralla, to fellow panelists Heidi Solba and Gert Siniloo and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia for the invitation! @helcominfo.bsky.social

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Great first day at the EUSBSR Annual Forum! Our Executive Secretary Rüdiger Strempel took part in a plenary panel discussion on climate change and environment of the Baltic Sea. 🌊 We'll continue tomorrow, Weds 13 May! More info: buff.ly/ccTWqjE

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Today and tomorrow we are in Tallinn for the EUSBSR Annual Forum 2026. Come say hello to us at the Networking Village! You'll find us in the Policy Area Spatial Planning (Maritime) area. Find out more: buff.ly/ccTWqjE

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

📢 The 17th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) will be held in Tallinn NEXT WEEK (12-13.5.2026)! HELCOM will contribute to both the programme and the Networking Village, showcasing its work and ongoing projects. Hope to see you there! More info: buff.ly/EcenspV

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

HELCOM had the pleasure to host and co‑organise the mid‑term meeting of the MUNI‑RISK project, which addresses environmental and safety concerns related to submerged munitions in the Baltic Sea. 💥 Learn more about the MUNI‑RISK project: buff.ly/PBM48lG

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

🌍 International cooperation and knowledge exchange = key to tackling complex marine challenges and building resilience. On 17 April 2026, HELCOM participated in Odesa Climate Lab Public Laboratory in Odesa, Ukraine 🇺🇦 📽️ Watch Rüdiger Strempel's welcome address: buff.ly/dSFnTNt 📷️ Odesa Climate Lab

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

📢 New HELCOM-VASAB guideline on applying the ecosystem-based approach (EBA) in maritime spatial planning (MSP) across the Baltic Sea region! 👉 Access here: buff.ly/Xt2usV2

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

HELCOM News Blast spring 2026 edition is out! 🌸 Catch up on out latest news, publications and events. 📰 👉 mailchi.mp/helcom.fi/on...

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

I was very pleased to deliver a keynote at the session on “Innovations for the Sustainable Use of the Baltic Sea” of yesterday’s 3rd Baltic Sea Business Day in Rostock. Thank you very much, Ocean Technology Campus Rostock and Germany Trade & Invest, for inviting me! @helcominfo.bsky.social

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Y’day I had the pleasure of addressing an international audience at the International Club of the Univ. of #Bonn. At the invitation of the German-Finnish Association (DFG) I talked about @helcominfo.bsky.social and the key role of multilat. coop. in protecting the #BalticSea. Thanks 4 inviting me!

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Ocean acidification is a global trend with potential impacts on the Baltic Sea ecosystem. This document outlines HELCOM’s strategic approach to understanding, monitoring & addressing ocean acidification in the Baltic Sea, emphasizing science-policy coordination & future actions. 👉 buff.ly/T7hLJ7r

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

The local Baltic Sea working groups from the cities of Helsinki and Turku visited us yesterday! As part of the Baltic Sea Challenge network, they are working to promote protection work for the benefit of the Baltic Sea and local waterways. More about the Baltic Sea Challenge: buff.ly/IlPRBph

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Have you had a chance to try Ecosfera Baltica yet? If you live in the capital region in Finland, you can also borrow it from the library! 🏛️ Reserve here: buff.ly/1J5uzHb

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

#MaritimeSpatialPlanning (#MSP) is a key tool in reconciling regional development with environmental imperatives in the overexploited and vulnerable #BalticSea. Pleased to contribute to the Mercator Ocean International Workshop on MSP this week. Thank you for inviting me! @helcominfo.bsky.social

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Rüdiger Strempel @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

The 6th #BalticEarth Conference kicked off today and I was very pleased to deliver a keynote outlining the importance of coop. betw. @helcominfo.bsky.social and Baltic Earth as a key element in science-based and effective regional climate policy. Thank you for inviting me! Photo #3: A. Jędruch.

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HELCOM - the Helsinki Commission @helcominfo.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Environmental education doesn’t have to be abstract, it can be interactive, cooperative and inspiring from an early age.💡 At a primary school in Gingst, Germany, ten-year-olds explored marine conservation through play using the cooperative game Ecosfera Baltica. Read story: buff.ly/IpeOAg8

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