The Baltic Sea Environment 1994–1998

1,02

MB

42

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3491

ID

Helsinki Commission

2001

rok

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE. 2

INTRODUCTION . 5

EUTROPHICATION. 6

NUTRIENT INPUTS ARE DECREASING LESS RAPIDLY. 6

POSITIVE SIGNS IN SOME AREAS 7

DRAMATIC FLOODS HAD ONLY TEMPORARY LOCAL EFFECTS 7

1996/1997: PROBLEMS IN THE GULF OF FINLAND 7

PLANKTONIC ALGAE RESPOND TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES. 8

NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS INPUTS BOTH NEED TO BE REDUCED 8

INFLOW EVENTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR BOTTOM-DWELLING ORGANISMS 9

CONTAMINANTS.10

UNKNOWN CONTAMINANTS RAISE NEW CONCERNS 10

CONTAMINANT INPUTS MAY BE UNDERESTIMATED10

ATMOSPHERIC INPUTS ARE STILL HIGH.11

THE HEALTH OF MARINE MAMMALS IS STILL AT STAKE 11

BREEDING SUCCESS OF MARINE BIRDS IS IMPROVING11

ANTIFOULING AGENTS CAUSE PROBLEMS 11

CADMIUM LEVELS RISE IN BALTIC HERRING12

CONCENTRATIONS OF ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS HAVE CEASED FALLING.12

NO ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT FROM CHEMICAL MUNITIONS AND RADIOACTIVE

SUBSTANCES.12

NATURE CONSERVATION AND BIODIVERSITY.13

INVASION BY NEW SPECIES CONTINUES .13

COD, SALMON AND STURGEON URGENTLY NEED A HELPING HAND14

BIRDS ARE GAINING GROUND 14

SEALS – A CAUSE FOR CONCERN 15

PORPOISES ARE STILL AT RISK15

ACTION NEEDED ON BALTIC SEA PROTECTED AREAS15

MARINE, MIGRATORY AND FRESHWATER FISH 16

FISH STOCKS ARE BECOMING DANGEROUSLY LOW .16

INTRICATE FOOD WEB DYNAMICS TANGLE UP COD16

BY-CATCHES NEED TO BE REDUCED.16

HYGROGRAPHY AND HYDROLOGY17

UNUSUAL EVENTS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON.17

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF CLIMATE CHANGE .17

MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT.18

ASSESSMENTS ARE THE BASIS FOR PROTECTION EFFORTS.18

KEEPING UP STEAM ON THE ASSESSMENTS.18

NEW TYPES OF REPORT.18

DESCRIPTION OF THE BALTIC SEA AND ITS CATCHMENT AREA .19

WHERE TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION20

COLOPHON.22