The BEACON Project helped improve the monitoring of the Baltic Sea

Why was this project launched? What problems did this project aim to solve? What was the stakeholder’s experience of the situation?

Kari K. Lehtonen, Project coordinator, Group manager, Finnish Environment Institute: One of the major gaps in current ways of assessing the threats of chemicals to marine life and ecosystems is the lack of information on their effects. The current monitoring programmes in use, especially in the Baltic Sea region, are practically missing methods targeted at detecting effects. As well as testing new assessment approaches for chemical pollution we also wanted to hear from the stakeholders what they know about the methodologies available and what they think is hindering their application in monitoring. The results of the stakeholder survey carried out pinpointed that the reasons for not using the methods are not only technical or financial, but also related to general knowledge on these methods. It was also clear that there are notable differences between the different countries.

What kind of solutions were developed in this project?

Kari Lehtonen: We compiled chemical and biological effect data from two Baltic Sea areas to test a new data processing tool. The aim was to integrate these to come up with a more reliable pollution assessment, which includes effects on marine organisms. The integrative methodology is readily applicable in different parts of the Baltic Sea, if data is available, and the BEACON project offers recommendations and guidelines for its use. Results of the stakeholder survey and dialogue through national seminars and the regional workshop should, at their best, lead to discussions that facilitate the use of the methods, and, finally, production of more of the much-needed biological effect data for future assessments.

How do these solutions help with the problems in reporting marine pollution?

Kari Lehtonen: Measuring true effects of chemical pollution on marine organisms gives a powerful indication if the ecosystem is affected and the health of the organisms is compromised. Reporting this is like reporting the results of a proper medical examination instead of a list of substances found in your blood: it is more understandable that something might be wrong.

How do the project’s results help in your work / country /organisation?

Natalja Kolesova, Marine Biologist, Tallinn University of Technology:

The BEACON project helped us assess stakeholders’ awareness of biological effects, something that has never been done before in Estonia. The questionnaire responses highlighted stakeholders’ needs, which, along with other project results achieved through close international cooperation, provided valuable input for developing a well-designed biological effect monitoring system. Additionally, the project enabled us to compare the biological effect methods used in the Gulf of Riga and plan intercalibration exercises for the region. Also, the collaboration in this project and the team’s support were very helpful for writing my thesis and preparing for my PhD defence, which means a lot to me.

Owen Rowe, Indicator Manager, HELCOM:

The BEACON project has helped build the foundations for future regional implementation of an assessment of biological effects from hazardous substances. Such assessments can help when exploring cumulative or multiple mixed effects and biodiversity or ecosystem decline, issues that are extremely pertinent. The project has supported an improved understanding of the potential of biological effects in regional expert and management community, increasing the understanding of the scientific basis and the potential for it to be a tool applicable for ecosystem-based management. The most recent regional holistic assessment (HOLAS3) included a pilot study showcasing the potential of, and progress on, this topic. The project has helped clarify and provide tools for assessment and set out approaches that can be utilised by managers, for example under the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan or the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

How did Interreg help with achieving the results? What is the significance of the project’s results?

Kari Lehtonen: The Interreg BSR Programme provided our project group, which is based on a HELCOM expert group, a perfect opportunity to carry out a small, well-targeted study through adequate funding for its planned activities. Without the funding and support of the Interreg BSR Programme the work would most probably have been too tedious and slow to even try to organise. The BEACON project’s results are significant not only on the scientific perspective of developing a new evaluation tool but also in helping to find societal causes to the hindered development in the use of the methods and, thus, taking next steps to solving the challenges that our Baltic Sea faces.

Title photo: Riku Lumiaro

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