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

This morning, we were pleased to welcome a group of students from the United Nations Association of Tampere (TAYK ry) to HELCOM to learn about the Baltic Sea and our work. Thanks for visiting us, you are welcome back anytime!

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE! 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

Yesterday, it was lights, camera, action once again at our office as Executive Secretary Rüdiger Strempel was interviewed for an educational video on 'Governing the Baltic Sea' for the University of Helsinki. We look forward to the series' release in 2026 - stay tuned for updates!

🆕 New HELCOM publication: 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

Yesterday, HELCOM had the honour of welcoming Mr Tobias Goldschmidt, State Minister for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Energy and Nature of Schleswig-Holstein at HELCOM. Minister Goldschmidt met with our Executive Secretary, Rüdiger Strempel, and Deputy Executive Secretary, Lotta Ruokanen.

Someone peed in the sea! Is that 😋 or 🤢 for our friends in the Baltic Sea? Our fun ‘fortune teller’ activity helps children learn about eutrophication at an age-appropriate way. This story is part of a series created to educate children on various challenges the Baltic Sea faces. 🔗 buff.ly/KbjXQ9m

On Friday, we had the pleasure of hosting the final project evaluation and planning session for 'Guarding the Baltic Sea', a multidisciplinary art-science initiative. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the EUNIC Cluster Finland! 🎬 Learn more about the project: buff.ly/tsgnxci

Take a peek inside the giant treasure chest and discover all the "jewels" the Baltic Sea has in store! 💎 Our fun story is created for children, who will learn about Baltic “gems” like sea-related jobs, travelling on sea and leisure-time adventures. Available in 🇬🇧 🇫🇮 🇸🇪. 🔗 buff.ly/7ukeup1

Our short story ‘The Baltic Sea, a home to many of our friends’ is designed for children and comes with fun activities. Kids will dive into topics like underwater noise, hazardous substances, litter and non-indigenous species at an age-appropriate level. 🔗 buff.ly/KbjXQ9m

This week, reps. from various sectors met at #SIPRI to discuss wetland restoration as a nature-based approach to security+resilience building. Wetlands, part of the #SourceToSea continuum, are relevant in protecting the #BalticSea. Thanks, SIPRI and #WWF, for inviting me! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Looking for fun and educational material about the Baltic Sea? 🦭 Meet Rocky the Grey Seal, who guides kids through vividly illustrated stories about the Baltic Sea and why it matters. Designed for children aged 4 to 10, the stories are available in 🇬🇧 🇫🇮 🇸🇪. 🔗 buff.ly/KbjXQ9m #OceanLiteracy

📢 NEW HELCOM GUIDELINE This guideline outlines how HELCOM integrates climate change considerations into its policies to ensure the Baltic Sea’s marine governance remains effective under changing conditions. Download here: buff.ly/VTs85RW

🌊 The Baltic Sea faces impacts from climate change and biodiversity loss triggered by certain factors deriving from unsustainable human activities. These factors have led to biodiversity loss and reduced human well-being as well as extensive losses in cold hard cash. 💸 Read more: 🔗 buff.ly/cmG2Gc7

💎 The Baltic Sea is a regional treasure fuelling the surrounding economies and societies, yet it often goes unnoticed. From providing vital habitats for countless species to generating wealth through several sectors, the Baltic Sea plays a crucial role in our daily lives. 🔗 buff.ly/cmG2Gc7

🌊 Inspiring the next generation of Baltic Sea guardians! 💙 Katja Laingui, Manuel Frias and Owen Rode represented HELCOM at the Baltic Sea Youth Forum, which took place on 6-7 Nov 2025 at Munkkiniemen Yhteiskoulu, bringing together more than 60 students from across Finland💧🌍

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE! 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

Thank you everyone who took part in the Ecosfera Baltica raffle! 🎲 We added a bonus game to the prize pot and the names of the three lucky winners have now been drawn. Congratulations to Lisa, Sahar and Gioia! Winners have already been contacted. 🦭 buff.ly/byOcx7j

Let’s talk about money! 💶 By investing in the health of the Baltic Sea, we also invest in long-term economic resilience across the region. The Baltic Sea's recovery is not just an environmental imperative but an economic necessity. 🔗 buff.ly/cmG2Gc7

Agriculture remains a key source of phosphorus and nitrogen inputs to the Baltic Sea. 🚜 🌱 This guideline compiles practical and evidence-based measures to strengthen soil structure, reduce erosion, and mitigate both particulate and soluble phosphorus runoff. Download here: buff.ly/i64yodV

Delighted to be back in #Sopot, 🇵🇱, for 3 days of inspiring meetings. #BalticSea Region #security will top the agenda at this week’s back-to-back #BSSSC Day of Cities and Regions and #EUSBSR Annual Forum 2025. @helcominfo.bsky.social

Identifying key challenges of regional security, high-level panelists at today’s #BSSSC conference stressed the need for a comprehensive and wholistic concept of security and a multilevel approach involving all levels of governance, with regional coop as vital elements. @helcominfo.bsky.social

⏰ Only one week left! Join the final MEER:STARK workshop on 3–4 Nov 2025 | Berlin & online With @umweltbundesamt.bsky.social, @sscmarine.bsky.social, @bund.net, @helcominfo.bsky.social & more. Register 👉 www.forms.ecologic.eu/MEERSTARK-Fi...

The #EUSBSR AF 2025 kicks off w. reflections on the vulnerability of the #BalticSea region and the pivotal role of multilat. coop. for a resilient BSR. A thriving BS environment is indispensable to regional resilience, underscoring the relevance of cooperation in @helcominfo.bsky.social

❗ CLOSING TOMORROW ❗ ECOSFERA BALTICA BOARD GAME GIVEAWAY! 🦭 Two Ecosfera Baltica board games will be raffled among the competition entrants. Only one entry per person is allowed. buff.ly/o79F6Tf 🎯 The competition closes on 31 October 2025.

The Baltic Sea has been experiencing eutrophication since the 1970s. However, accepting its current state as permanent would be a mistake - the Baltic Sea has the potential to become much more! 🌊 Can you imagine a blue future for the Baltic Sea? 💙 Read more: buff.ly/B6v4Awz

It’s green, cloudy, thick and nutritious. What is it? 🥤 Unfortunately, this description portrays the Baltic Sea remarkably well. The reason for this is down to eutrophication, one of the broadest and most persistent issues facing the Baltic Sea. ✳️ Read more: 🔗 buff.ly/B6v4Awz

The Baltic Sea has been experiencing eutrophication since the 1970s, and it’s taken its toll on our lessened perception of this precious sea. 🦠 We’ve crafted a little help for you to stay clear on what could a healthy Baltic Sea be like in the future 🩵 🔗 buff.ly/SADmS7i

This year, HELCOM has been collaborating with "Guarding the Baltic Sea", a multidisciplinary art project by the EUNIC Cluster Finland. By bringing together artists from various countries, the project seeks to develop innovative solutions for ocean literacy. 🌊 Learn more: buff.ly/kBtG7tW

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶! ⚓ Last week, MSP practitioners, data experts & authorities from across Europe gathered in Helsinki for an intense and inspiring MSP week. Five days full of collaboration, data and discussions to accelerate progress on MSP across Europe and beyond!

I was very pleased to participate in this week’s online knowledge exchange event organized by the Swedish Agency of Marine and Water Management in cooperation with the #NairobiConvention Secretariat and @unep-cobsea.bsky.social. Thank you for the opportunity to present! @helcominfo.bsky.social

a new #GES4SEAS #MOOC, this time on Ecosystem-Based Management (#EBM), starting shortly. Stay tuned: @emarineboard.bsky.social @icesmarine.bsky.social @eurogoos.bsky.social @ospar.bsky.social @helcominfo.bsky.social #MarineEcology #Research

🦭 ECOSFERA BALTICA BOARD GAME GIVEAWAY! Would you like to win your very own Ecosfera Baltica board game? Two Ecosfera Baltica board games will be raffled among the competition entrants. Only one entry per person is allowed. buff.ly/o79F6Tf 🎯 The competition closes on 31 October 2025.

Ingredients for this Baltic Sea Spritz can be found in many common household items including clothing, furniture, pharmaceuticals, plastics and personal care products. Read more in our leaflet 'The Baltic Sea Spritz — A cocktail of hazardous substances'. buff.ly/itC0mpX

NEW REPORT! Regionally developed descriptions for Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Environmental Practice (BAP) on sustainable marine and freshwater aquaculture to minimize environmental impacts and support ecologically responsible production in the Baltic Sea region. 🔗 buff.ly/xRFkOye

Recipe for the Baltic Sea Spritz: Mix your desired amounts of substances from the list below with a dash of brackish water. Enjoy, if you dare!🍹 Luckily, measures taken do work, and we can act towards a healthier Baltic Sea together! 🔗 buff.ly/itC0mpX #StateOfTheBalticSea #HOLAS3 #BalticSea