HELCOM News Blast spring 2026 edition is out! 🌸

Catch up on out latest news, publications and events. 📰

👉 mailchi.mp/helcom.fi/on...

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

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!

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

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

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

#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

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.

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

📢 Last chance to apply — closing on 12 April!

Are you passionate about storytelling, digital media and environmental cooperation in the Baltic Sea region? We are currently looking for a creative and motivated intern to support communication activities at HELCOM.

👉 buff.ly/ynARVSV

* NEW PUBLICATION! * 📙 🔧

The HELCOM toolbox for bycatch mitigation measures provides an overview of available approaches to reduce incidental bycatch of marine mammals and seabirds in Baltic Sea fisheries. 🎣

Access here: buff.ly/MbxJ2SI

📢 The 17th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) will be held in Tallinn on 12–13 May 2026.

HELCOM will actively 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

Regional coop is key in protecting the #BalticSea! Thank you for the opportunity to present the @helcominfo.bsky.social view at the event “Advancing a Sustainable Baltic Sea through Regional Cooperation,” co-organized by the PL Emb. Stockholm, #CBSS and #RaceForTheBaltic. Photos: J. Ziolkowski

War has devastating long-term impacts not only on people, but also for marine ecosystems. Post-war remediation will require international scientific cooperation and financial support. HELCOM’s SAFE-BS2BKS project is supporting these efforts in the Black Sea.

🔎 buff.ly/uhnZWhB

The HELCOM Red List II assessment shows that many Baltic Sea underwater biotopes, habitats and biotope complexes face a risk of collapse. 🆘

Our policy brief presents the key findings and messages from the assessment and outlines policy recommendations.

👉 buff.ly/uCwHFBV

We are looking for a GIS Data Trainee for the EU-funded PROTECT BALTIC project! 🌊

📊 Tasks include supporting various assessments and analyses through the production of spatial data layers, statistics calculations, performing GIS data analysis & data visualisations.

👉 buff.ly/MsA7lOO

🚨 Last year, the HELCOM Red List II assessment revealed that several Baltic Sea species are at risk of becoming extinct.

Our policy brief brings together the key findings and messages from the assessment and outlines clear policy recommendations.

➡️ buff.ly/KTydLet

The Fourth Informal Consultation Session of the Helsinki Commission, hosted by the Lithuanian Chairmanship of HELCOM, takes place in Helsinki, Finland, from 18 to 19 March 2026.

Read more about HELCOM's structure: buff.ly/BkUprSS

🔊 CLOSING SOON!

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.

Vacancy announcement 👉 buff.ly/CpiN6AL

NEW! Updated Baltic Sea eutrophication assessment manual 📑

This revised assessment guideline has been released to support the ongoing evaluation of nutrient impacts in the Baltic Sea.

Download here: buff.ly/qBuNhJi

We’re looking for a Communications Intern to join our team!

Are you passionate about storytelling, digital media and environmental cooperation in the Baltic Sea region? We are currently looking for a creative and motivated intern to support communication activities at HELCOM.

👉 buff.ly/ynARVSV

🔊 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.

Vacancy announcement 👉 buff.ly/CpiN6AL

We are looking for a GIS Data Trainee for the EU-funded PROTECT BALTIC project! 🌊

📊 Tasks include supporting various assessments and analyses through the production of spatial data layers, statistics calculations, performing GIS data analysis & data visualisations.

👉 buff.ly/MsA7lOO

Lost fishing gear doesn't just pollute, it keeps catching fish long after it's abandoned. 😔

Our latest HELCOM report explores how innovative gear design can prevent gear loss and reduce ghost fishing in the Baltic Sea. 👍️

Download here: buff.ly/qvP4NyR

🔈 HELCOM is one of the co-organisers of this session at #ECSA61. If the topic aligns with your work, we encourage you to submit an abstract (DL 6 March 2026).

More details 👇

🔊 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

Lost fishing gear? Not if it's properly marked! 🏷️

Proper gear marking is a game-changer for reducing lost fishing gear and preventing marine litter. Developed under the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP Action RS9), this guide is based on FAO Voluntary Guidelines.

👉 buff.ly/h15wKgm

The Baltic Sea Boating Forum has been launched at the ongoing Helsinki International Boat Show! This new yearly platform is designed to foster communication among the boating sector, government officials, and key stakeholders. Come and say hello to us at the HELCOM stand by Purjehdussatama stage.

Recreational fishing is a beloved pastime for many around the Baltic Sea, but it comes with an environmental cost due to significant gear loss every year 🎣

This report explores the composition of lost angling gear and outlines measures to limit these losses.

Download here: buff.ly/86D3K3L

With millios of recreational fishers in the Baltic Sea region, lost fishing gear, especially gillnets, is a major contributor to marine litter. This report provides practical guidelines to help recreational fishers prevent gear loss and protect the Baltic Sea. 🚯

👉 buff.ly/v6pg1rO