How to prioritise international marine protection in the Baltic Sea? 📽️ Watch Rüdiger Strempel's video address for the "Sea of Opportunities" conference organised by the Baltic Coast Dialogue on 22-24 September 2025 in Germany. buff.ly/xXYPt8X

🏆 The 2025 Baltic Sea Prize was awarded to Heike Imhoff for her many years of significant work for the Baltic Sea environment. Heike Imhoff is a long-time figure in HELCOM, having headed the German delegation and chaired the GEAR group. Congratulaions! buff.ly/NOBbXXG

⚽ The synthetic granulate emissions from outdoor artificial football pitches are among the largest sources of microplastics ✅ This document compiles recommended measures to reduce microplastic loss from these fields, based on HELCOM guidance & existing literature. 👉 buff.ly/7IxkKOA

Very pleased to deliver a presentation and participate in a panel on better linking science and policy at the #ICES Annual Science Conference in #Klaipėda, #Lithuania today. Thank you, #ICES, for inviting me! @helcominfo.bsky.social @icesmarine.bsky.social

NEW REPORT! This report evaluates the UNEP/MED Guidelines for monitoring riverine inputs of marine litter by testing their scope, transferability and feasibility through field trials on macrolitter and microlitter. Download here: buff.ly/hyw1c4C

📢 Call for tender: legal analysis of CCS in accordance with the Helsinki Convention We are seeking two qualified legal consultants/firms to evaluate whether CCS activities are legally permissible under the Helsinki Convention and relevant international legal instruments. ℹ️ buff.ly/RoPnCZL

NEW GUIDELINES! Created with the European EPS industry, these guidelines share best practices for handling and recycling EPS & XPS foam in construction and demolition to cut pollution, boost reuse and reduce landfill and incineration. Download here: buff.ly/vl7kMhw

🌊 Join the session at the #BalticMSPForum (11–12 Nov 2025, Riga) to explore the #Sea2LandNavigator 🧭 – your guide to smarter, balanced #MaritimeSpatialPlanning 👉 Info&registration: www.BalticMSPforum.eu 🌐 More about Navigator: tinyurl.com/mr3nnfcu #MadeWithInterreg @helcominfo.bsky.social

It was a pleasure to welcome Jimin Hong from the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (@unep-cobsea.bsky.social) to our premises today for very productive talks on current and future cooperation between our organizations. Thanks for visiting @helcominfo.bsky.social

Our new Ecosfera Baltica game started as a board game, but to increase its reach we partnered with Reaktor to digitise it. Watch the video to learn more: buff.ly/h1eqHgY p.s. At Helsinki Design Week this weekend? Reaktor is hosting events at Suomitalo. You'll also find Ecosfera Baltica on display!

Happy to share that the current edition of the German magazine #andersLeben (3/25) contains a very brief piece on the #BalticSea, authored by Anja Schäfer, and a short interview with me. @helcominfo.bsky.social

Two new outputs on microlitter monitoring in mussels are now available: 🔍 A technical report tests the feasibility of the guidelines for monitoring microlitter in mussels: buff.ly/b8mwUQE 📄 A policy brief outlines next steps: buff.ly/Nt0Qjlx

We joined the final presentations for “Reimagining the Baltic Sea” course at the School of Fine Arts and were blown away by the project ideas! From sailing on the imaginary ship to tasting activism through fishy cookbooks, the proposals were bold and inspiring. Art & science enrich each other!

🔊 WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT & NEW RAFFLE! During #BalticSeaDay at Oodi, we held a raffle to win the #EcosferaBaltica board game. Congrats to Touko O. and Maria F., our winners! We’ll contact you soon for game delivery. Missed out? Don’t worry! Here's another chance to win 👉 buff.ly/YruXP8I

Very pleased to contribute to yesterday’s conference “Voices for the Baltic Sea: Science, Art and Action” in Hanasaari and to reflect on the relevance of science and art in working to protect the #BalticSea. @helcominfo.bsky.social

📄 NEW REPORT! Phosphogypsum, a major by-product of fertilizer production, poses environmental risks through phosphorus losses and eutrophication. Our new report shares best practices for its sustainable management, use and safe disposal, supporting HELCOM Recommendation 42-43-8. 👉 buff.ly/vDdQwXN

Unexploded ordnance—a key issue at AC29—still litter ASCOBANS waters. Underwater blasting to clear them emits intense sound that can harm cetaceans + chemicals from decay or detonation add further pressure 💣 🔗 www.ascobans.org/en/meeting/a... @cms.int @helcominfo.bsky.social @ospar.bsky.social

📢 Call for tender: legal analysis of CCS in accordance with the Helsinki Convention We are seeking two qualified legal consultants/firms to evaluate whether CCS activities are legally permissible under the Helsinki Convention and relevant international legal instruments. ℹ️ buff.ly/RoPnCZL

Today we welcomed art students to our office to learn more about HELCOM, the Baltic Sea & science/policy/activism. During "Reimagining the Baltic Sea" KUNO course the students will explore how artistic practices might bring new perspectives on the state of the Baltic Sea. @taideyliopisto.bsky.social

🌊 Celebrating the Baltic Sea Day 2025 Thank you EU@Oodi for hosting us and thanks for everyone who stopped by to try #EcosferaBaltic and #BalticRescueGame. It was also great to have the Baltic Rescue developers @partofnoise.bsky.social to join us on the day. 🕹️ More info: buff.ly/XP6OIjs

Yesterday together with @helcominfo.bsky.social we pre-launched Baltic Rescue at Helsinki Central Library Oodi as part of the Baltic Sea Day! 🌊🥳 Players from all age groups came to our booth to enjoy the game, and online on itch we were one of the most popular new and free browser games 🤯

1st day of the 2025 Mtg of Heads of Secretariats of the European River/Water Commissions and RSCs at the #ViennaInternationalCentre in Vienna.Excellent discussions on issues of common interest in working to protect Europe’s aquatic environments. Thank you #ICPDR for hosting! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Come by and test our Baltic Sea game for Helcom today at Central Library Oodi! The event is a part of The Baltic Sea day program🦭🐟

🦭 The long wait is over! Today on the Baltic Sea Day, HELCOM, Julibert Games and Reaktor are launching Ecosfera Baltica, a new educational game that turns science into play. Today you can try it out at the EU@Oodi stand, Helsinki, 12:00–19:00. 👉 buff.ly/E7Tr9o4 #EcosferaBaltica #BalticSea

💙 Celebrate the Baltic Sea Day with us! Come and try out new Baltic Sea–themed games! Play on your own or team up with others while learning about the Baltic Sea ecosystem and the challenges it faces. 📍 EU@Oodi stand, 1st floor of Oodi, from 12:00 to 19:00 #BalticSeaDay #Itämeripäivä

The 34th #BalticSeaParliamentaryConference ends with the adoption of a substantial resolution, which, among many other important points calls on the governments in the Baltic Sea Region and the EU to “Strengthen the implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan.” @helcominfo.bsky.social

🌊 Baltic Sea Day 28 Aug 2025 Come and try out new Baltic Sea–themed games! 🎲 Ecosfera Baltica: A strategy game available as board game & free digital version 🎲 Baltic Rescue – Match & Track: A fun and addictive mobile game 📍EU@Oodi stand, 1st floor of Oodi, 12-7pm. #itämeripäivä #balticseaday

Thank you for the opportunity to deliver a presentation and take part in the panel discussion moderated by Mr. Ola Elvestuen, MP, during today’s session on Marine Ecosystems, Fisheries and Climate Change at the 34th #BalticSeaParliamentaryConference (#BSPC)! @helcominfo.bsky.social

Thrilled to be in #Åland for the 34th #BalticSeaParliamentaryConference (#BSPC). Speakers at the opening session stressed the importance of security, sustainability, democracy and the rules-based international order, + the increased sense of unity among BSPC countries. @helcominfo.bsky.social

On Friday, we celebrated our annual Secretariat Day with an excursion to the Helsinki Observatory. Refreshed from the summer holidays, we're now ready for an autumn that's shaping to be as busy as ever!

Want to assess your plan checking the effects & pressures of maritime activities on habitats & ecosystems? Watch this video to learn how the Cumulative Impact Assessment Tool can help you. 📽️ buff.ly/fjdqtHo #Data #MSP

Registration now open! A conference in Hanasaari "Voices for the Baltic Sea: Science, Art and Action" on 2 Sept. Our Executive Secretary @rudigerstrempel.bsky.social joins the panel discussion on how science & art can spark action for the Baltic Sea. Register here: lnkd.in/g2cSxZRQ

Today’s @ospar.bsky.social Ministerial Meeting in #Vigo, charted m #OSPAR’s course for the next 5 years. In my statement I recalled our long-standing and mutually beneficial cooperation + underscored the benefits of cooperation between #RSCs in Europe and beyond. @helcominfo.bsky.social

Thank you very much to #Finland, Chair of #OSCE 2025, and #Slovenia, which chairs the OSCE Economic and Env. Committee, for inviting me to briefly introduce the safety of navigation and maritime security dimension of @helcominfo.bsky.social work (online) at today's special meeting of the Committee!

The Baltic is a very busy sea. My latest article, which I am happy to share, offers a concise overview of @helcominfo.bsky.social ‘s contribution to promting sustainable and safe #shipping and #MaritimeSecurity in the #BalticSea region. links.springernature.com/f/a/ohyggEC4...

📢 CLOSING TOMORROW! We are looking for an experienced Data Manager to join our Secretariat team to implement the HELCOM Data and Information Strategy. This is a permanent position, starting in September or October 2025. Apply by 10 August 2025. More information: buff.ly/4TzWnod

Last chance to apply! We're looking for a Project Manager to lead & coordinate the technical work and HELCOM’s tasks for the BRISK II project. A background in maritime-related matters, with experience in policy work & international cooperation is required. Apply by 10 Aug. 👉 buff.ly/pGlDuEY

Making progress under the Baltic Sea Action Plan! 🌊 📜 BSAP action E20: Revise by 2023 the HELCOM Recommendation 24/3 on “Measures aimed at the reduction of emissions and discharges from agriculture” ✅ Result: Recommendation revised and adopted 🔗 buff.ly/WqX6P4E #BSAPActionAccomplished #BSAP

HELCOM Red List II reports are now out! 🐬 The HELCOM Red List II assessment shows the health of threatened species and habitats/biotopes in the Baltic Sea, building on findings from the Red List in 2013. Vol 1, species: buff.ly/OxhGtPQ Vol 2, underwater biotopes and habitats: buff.ly/a1aXDIF

Ready to take the next step in your career? 💼 We are looking for an experienced Data Manager to join our Secretariat team to implement the HELCOM Data and Information Strategy. This is a permanent position, starting in Sept/Oct 2025. Apply by 10 August 2025. More information: buff.ly/4TzWnod

Looking for a new challenge? We're looking for a Project Manager to lead & coordinate the technical work and HELCOM’s tasks for the BRISK II project. A background in maritime-related matters, with experience in policy work & international cooperation is required. Apply by 10 Aug. 👉 buff.ly/pGlDuEY

Have you read our new assessment reports on hazardous submerged objects in the Baltic Sea yet? 💣 Warfare materials in the Baltic Sea ⛴️ Shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea 🔗 Access both reports here: buff.ly/6wHBDRe

Making progress under the Baltic Sea Action Plan! 🌊 📜 BSAP action HL10: Establish a mechanism for managing the HELCOM list of priority substances and respond to screening and assessment results pointing out regional challenges ✅ Result: buff.ly/gv2o6Dz #BSAPActionAccomplished #BSAP

JOIN OUR TEAM! We are looking for an experienced Data Manager to join our Secretariat team to implement the HELCOM Data and Information Strategy. This is a permanent position, starting in September or October 2025. Apply by 10 August 2025. More information: buff.ly/4TzWnod

Job opportunity! We are looking for a Project Manager to lead & coordinate the technical work and HELCOM’s tasks for the BRISK II project. A background in maritime-related matters, with experience in policy work & international cooperation is required. Apply by 10 Aug. 👉 buff.ly/pGlDuEY

Making progress under the Baltic Sea Action Plan! 🌊 📜 BSAP action B2: A common understanding of the Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) criteria and their use in HELCOM ✅ Result: buff.ly/1KvyU4A #BSAPActionAccomplished #BSAP #BalticSeaActionPlan #Biodiversity

Are you passionate about data? 🔢 We are looking for an experienced Data Manager to join our Secretariat team to implement the HELCOM Data and Information Strategy. This is a permanent position, starting in September or October 2025. Apply by 10 August 2025. More information: buff.ly/4TzWnod

HELCOM Red List II reports are now out! 🐬 The HELCOM Red List II assessment shows the health of threatened species and habitats/biotopes in the Baltic Sea, building on findings from the Red List in 2013. Vol 1, species: buff.ly/OxhGtPQ Vol 2, underwater biotopes and habitats: buff.ly/a1aXDIF

Are you the one? 😍 We are looking for a Project Manager to lead & coordinate the technical work and HELCOM’s tasks for the BRISK II project. A background in maritime-related matters, with experience in policy work & international cooperation is required. Apply by 10 Aug. 👉 buff.ly/pGlDuEY

🎖️ HELCOM has been awarded the prestigious Professor Kazimierz Demel Medal, recognising its outstanding scientific and organisational contributions in biology, ecology, fisheries and the promotion of marine science. Read more: buff.ly/5OzO3Hw 📷 National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Poland